Churches, mosques and synagogues across New Jersey are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. But that doesn’t mean that they have given up holding services.

Temple Beth Ahm in Aberdeen is still holding services Friday night, but have moved those services over to the internet via the video conferencing website Zoom.

Rabbi Lisa Malik leads the service and encourages the congregants to sing along. Excerpts from the Jewish prayer book are shown on the screen.

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“I was thinking because people are feeling very socially isolated, wouldn’t it be nice for people to be spiritually close, even when they are physically isolated,” she says.

This means that the virtual services aren’t just about prayer, but personal connections as well. A few minutes before and after the service are devoted to socializing and checking in with the older congregants.

Other houses of worship are not only holding services online, but classes throughout the week to help people feel emotionally and spiritually connected