She is working with BORâs executive committee to flesh out a collective vision.
Sharfman said she wants BOR to be available as a resource, which strengthens synagogues and Jewish organizations and fosters more collaboration.
First and foremost the board is a professional association. âWeâre here to support each other in terms of sharing information, ideas and resources,â she said. âWe see ourselves also as being in a position to rise and respond to the needs of our community where and when we are needed.â
Her first move as president was the creation of a video that the board released June 9, encouraging the Jewish community to remember its heritage and to find strength during a time of increased antisemitism.
In a normal year, celebrating Shavuot meant gathering with fellow Jews to study Torah late into the night, maybe with some singing and late-night snacks.
This year, several of Greater Phoenixâs Reform and Conservative synagogues will still gather to study and connect â but on Zoom.
âIsnât that just what everyone wants? All I want is just to spend more time on Zoom,â Congregation Beth Israel Associate Rabbi Sara Mason-Barkin quipped, referencing the Zoom fatigue that has become a hallmark of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Greater Phoenix Board of Rabbis organized a collaborative Tikkun Leâil Shavuot Zoom program in 2020 with five area synagogues and saw potential.