Webinar Weariness

by Jill Maidhof

Are you getting smarter every day by taking advantage of the hundreds of webinars available online? I’ve listened to so many Jewish lecturers that I have to stop myself from correcting my local rabbi! At the same time, though, I occasionally suffer the symptoms of Webinar Weariness:

• An aversion to listening to one more online lecture no matter how intriguing 
• Loss of identity and the feeling that I’m a nameless face among a screen full of attendees
• A sense of frustration because I’m never invited to share my perspective
• A desire for real connection and membership in a meaningful community. I feel the need to exchange ideas with people like me; that is, curious explorers.

I feel the need to exchange ideas with people like me – that is, curious explorers.

Chai Mitzvah is my antidote. I know that there are more fact-filled experiences online, and that I won’t earn anything like continuing education credits. I’ll go elsewhere if what  I’m seeking is more knowledge. What Chai Mitzvah gives me is the opportunity to relate personal  experiences to Jewish texts, and to benefit from the wisdom of others as part of a  very authentic, very rewarding online community. I find that the texts come to life this way, informing my behavior “off screen.”  POPortunities, engaging the Power of Passion – the community engagement aspect of Chai Mitzvah – is every bit as important as the monthly meetings, urge all of us learn, provide service, and grow spiritually in our local communities.

While learning and attending services online posed no problem, a couple of participants were unsure of how to provide service when they weren’t comfortable getting into crowds. No problem, said one participant in the monthly Rosh Chodesh session. Sharon Tanner described how she stays active by participating in Board and committee meetings online. Another friend of mine said that when she didn’t feel comfortable getting out, she simply arranged for a Jewish thrift store to retrieve items from her home and a third simply makes phone calls each week to elderly members of her congregation. 

Feeling stuck about your own Poportunities? Check out our Social Action with Social Distance booklet.  And share your experiences below – we’d love to hear from you!