Basking Ridge Chabad Maintains Sense Of Community Amid Pandemic

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — When the sun goes down Friday, Jews across the world will observe Shabbat and the second night of Hanukkah. But the holidays that create opportunities for togetherness have looked different this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Chabad Jewish Center of Basking Ridge normally relishes nights like these. Before the coronavirus outbreak, they've held large menorah lightings in different towns, packed religious services an have taken the opportunity to get to know new people during Shabbat dinners.

But the Chabad center has wrestled with a question all year for its holidays, services and activities: how do you maintain a sense of community during a pandemic? The issue becomes clear during the holidays, but Rabbi Mendel Shemtov also notices it in the smaller education sessions that have moved online.

"A lot of it is the personal feel, the touch, the human connection and interaction," said Shemtov, of the Chabad center. "The sense of being able to connect, of community, is affected. I wouldn’t say it’s nonexistent, because it is existent. But it’s very, very affected."

Chabad centers provide a place for people to call home through a Jewish context. Since they often offer myriad activities and services, the pandemic has forced centers like Basking Ridge's to get creative. At Chabad in Basking Ridge, offerings include preschool, Hebrew school, classes, services and celebrations.

The coronavirus has forced the world to cancel or alter holiday plans. But those celebrating major Jewish holidays have certainly had bad luck. The first wave began to peak around Passover, which took place from April 8-16 this year. The Jewish high holidays fell in September and October, as the second wave began to develop.

But the Chabad center found ways to bring its community together on services for holidays such as Rosh Hashana — the Jewish New Year festival — and Yom Kippur — the Day of Atonement.

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They've moved services outdoors throughout the year, having everyone socially distant and wear masks at all times. For the high holidays this year, they gathered in an open-walled, outdoor tent.

The Chabad usually holds one crowded service for each of the high holidays. But they held many this year to avoid overcrowding. They currently hold indoor services with a limited capacity.

But there's more to their purpose than major holiday gatherings, and COVID-19 has made other activities difficult.

"We would visit people in hospitals," Shemtov said, "or we would go spend time with people in their offices or have people for Shabbat dinners in our homes, which is a great way of getting to know people better."

But the Chabad center has pushed forward throughout 2020. Shemtov says they always follow the state coronavirus guidelines and sometimes take them further. Their accomplishments this year include the following, according to their website:

• increasing weekly learning options and doubling attendance
• creating a virtual Hebrew school, along with the in-person option
• hosted three times as many guest lecturers
• packed and delivered more than 600 boxes of food to locals in need

They've also delivered plenty of prayer books and Shabbat and holiday kits so people can better observe Judaism at home. According to Jewish belief, everyone has an individual relationship with God, so observers can practice Judaism anywhere and anytime, Shemtov says.

"Yes, according to Jewish law, it’s preferable to pray with a community," he said. "But at times like this, where it can be unsafe, we definitely should not miss out on the opportunity to pray and focus on our relationship with godliness and our soul."

It's certainly not a normal year. Typically, the Chabad center holds menorah lighting ceremonies in Basking Ridge, Bernardsville, Watchung and Warren. This year, they performed a small ceremony in Bernardsville and will keep theirs lit in Basking Ridge.

But the Chabad center will still hold a major celebration Tuesday: the Drive-in Chanukah LED Robot Show. Those who drive to the Dewy Meadow Village Green will get a prepackaged dinner, a donut for decorating and crafts to enjoy in their vehicles. Then event will feature a menorah lighting, an LED robot dance show and photo opportunities with the 8-foot robots.

The 5:30 p.m. ceremony filled up so quickly that they added another slot for 7:30 p.m. It's one way for hundreds to gather and safely enjoy Hanukkah in 2020. Click here to make a reservation.

"I do feel we adapted very quickly and are doing the best with what we’re given," Shemtov said. "There are always challenges. This challenge is very large."

This story is part of Patch's Headlining Hope series, which profiles local nonprofits and charitable organizations in need of volunteers and resources. If you know about a local organization that should be profiled, contact josh.bakan@patch.com.

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