You’re invited

A couple of weeks ago, before quarantine and shelter-in-place had us shuttered in our homes, I was walking down Broadway when I saw these signs, posted upon a local church (pictured above)— I slowed to take a photo. Something about the words “You are invited” was arresting.

As I continued my walk home, it occurred to me that, though this prolonged period of abnormal living induces tremendous anxiety and has ushered in horrible realities we cannot control or evade, it may also present a positive, even if comparatively small, opportunity.

For those of us who are lucky enough to have access to virtual life—to streamed content, lessons, speeches, tours, etc.—this terribly scary period has also been one of open invitation.

 Before, were you too body conscious to go to gym classes? Well, now you’re invited.

Before, were you too shy or insecure to attend synagogue services? Well, now you’re invited.

Before, were you too strapped for cash to fly to Paris and tour the Louvre? Well, now you’re invited.

I keep thinking about how people who were unbearably lonely are, for the first time, not alone.

I keep thinking about how those who live in the margins have, for the first time, been given access.

It’s hard to imagine the resumption of life after this pandemic runs its course. People will be eager to reclaim what was theirs and return to the things, people and places to whom they belong.

But as we make that highly anticipated transition back to regular life, I hope we’ll find ways of preserving the whatever positive shifts occurred as the world struggled. In particular, I hope we’ll be conscious of how open our arms, hearts and minds are towards our neighbors. I hope we’ll find ways of drawing marginalized and lonely people close. I hope we’ll travel through our lives embodying that simple, beautiful sign and somehow communicate to everyone who is eager to join, “You are invited.”

Malka Fleischmann is the Director of Knowledge and Ideas for The Jewish Education Project.