The Unexpected Power of a Virtual Jewish New Year

In a year of firsts, I logged one more on Rosh Hashanah: sobbing—out loud—during a livestream synagogue service.

In a normal year, the start of a new Jewish calendar cycle and ten days of introspection and repentance feels like a soul-satisfying reunion with fellow congregants, friends, and family. But there was no reuniting this year, given that the pandemic is entering its seventh stubborn month and social distancing remains the order of the day.