Neil Blumofe
This interview is with Rabbi Neil Blumofe, leader of the Agudas Achim congregation at the Dell Jewish Community Center. Rabbi Blumofe speaks about what the future may look like for congregations that want to maintain the benefits of online worship while eventually returning to traditional services. He considers the challenge of balancing a plurality of needs and perspectives in a community of diverse voices.
Mara Nathan
This interview is with Rabbi Mara Nathan, leader of the Reform synagogue Temple Beth-El in San Antonio. Mara tells the stories of her congregation’s history and of the arrival and growth of Jewish communities in Texas. She talks about her experience managing community engagement during the pandemic and moving into a hybrid worship model as it becomes safe to do so. She also describes her experience working from home and interacting with her family in new ways, both heartening and frustrating.
Dan DeLeon
This interview is with Dan DeLeon, who serves Baptist congregations and has also been a youth minister for several years. Dan discusses growing in his theological beliefs and finally being a pastor at the Friends Congregational Church in College Station, Texas. Now, Dan and his community must learn how to stay connected, practice self-care, and worship during a pandemic. Friends Church has pursued several initiatives like spiritual care kits that were hand-delivered to every congregation member, quarterly newsletters, and Sunday zoom service.