Rabbi Elias Zwang of San Francisco joins the team of Rabbis leading nightly services for Sim Shalom. Throughout the pandemic and before Sim Shalom Online Synagogue has broadcast interactive virtual services. A cadre of Rabbis log on each evening at 7:00pm Monday to Thursday to bring services (called Ma’ariv services) to people needing to say the Mourner’s Kaddish and wishing connect to Judaism.
Newly ordained by Jewish Spiritual Leaders’ Institute Rabbi Zwang brings a soothing and joyous demeanor to his service. He joins the team of Rabbis from around the country who provide nightly opportunities to the Sim Shalom Online Community. The group hail from California, Maryland, Florida, Louisiana and Tennessee and each has a unique and often musical approach to their service. They can be found online each evening and the services are recorded and available on the Sim Shalom YouTube Channel.
Rabbi Steven Blane foresaw the need, even before the pandemic, of offering services virtually. The Sim Shalom Online Synagogue was developed to be broadcast to it’s congregants. They are not watching a service from a bird’s eye perspective but are immersed in it and able to dialogue live with one another. Says Blane, “We have grown to be a vibrant and engaged group who enjoy one another and Jewish worship together. It doesn’t matter that everyone lives far apart. In fact the diversity of our congregation makes us strong.” Blane leads Shabbat services every Friday night at 7:00pm EST.