With COVID keeping everyone trapped at home people in my community have been coming together more outside. On Shabbat, everyone takes walks together out and around our complex, socially distanced of course. I’m not sure if there are mostly Jewish people in our complex, but there are certainly a lot of Jews. And honestly, it makes me really happy to see people still finding ways to stay connected! It can be hard to live mostly online these days and it can get boring and drain you mentally, but making time to be outside and spend time with friends is really lovely.
Personally, I don’t walk outside because I find it really boring, but I actually roller skate! I think it’s a lot more fun and it gives me the chance to still spend time outside. I don’t really have much else to do on Shabbat, as my family is religious and we don’t use electronics or drive or anything, and it’s nice to see everyone.
One thing that’s really special to me about being out on Shabbat is seeing the kids from my shul out on their scooters and taking walks together. When we could actually go to shul, I babysat for the girls. They claim it was 3rd to 5th grade, but no one actually kept track of who was in what group. And I’ve been with them for almost four years now. They’re so freaking cute and they all stop me to ask me how I’m doing and critique my outfits. Yesterday one of them challenged me to a race, I let her win of course, and she was just beaming and it was so, so sweet.
I almost forgot to end with a question so here's one! What do you do to stay part of your community even though you can't exactly be with them?
That's great to hear about how involved your community is at a time like this. That day off electronics on Shabbat sure is extra blissful now since we are using our devices more than ever. To answer your question, I like going to the park a lot, either to see friends or enjoy the serenity.
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