Temple Israel, a reform synagogue in suburban Detroit, undertook a substantial renovation a few years ago. The makeover included a spruced-up atrium and social hall, new display cases, and the installation of two video screens flanking the pulpit.
The screens made their debut in 2017 during Rosh Hashana services with a slideshow designed to underscore the theme of Rabbi Jen Lader's sermon. The medium-is-the-message topic: the role of technology in enhancing communal experiences. "It felt risky to use the screens as the foundation of a High Holiday service," Rabbi Lader said. "But the feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with people saying they understood things in a completely different way."
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