We are members of a small congregation in a small town, located 90 miles from the next temple. The temple that is 90 miles away is only used for B’nai Mitzvot and weddings; their members visit us for Holy Days. The next closest congregation is at least a five hour drive. We have Sunday School at rotating locations – offices, homes and occasionally, the temple. There are twelve children in the congregation, and not all are active. A student rabbi visits us monthly from Cincinnati’s Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion, and the rabbi changes yearly. Practicing Remote Judaism is a challenge, a joy and a compromise that we make in order to live and work in the small town of Marquette, Michigan, located on the shores of Lake Superior. Weekly articles will outline some of the struggles and triumphs that we deal with. Holidays will be dealt with, as will difficult issues such as anti-Semitism, barriers and “home sickness” for bigger Jewish Communities. I invite all who read these articles to post comments, questions, topic suggestions and observations. So, come, read, enjoy!
