HIGH HOLIDAYS 2022 COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
We are so happy that we are able to hold High Holiday services in person this year!
We hope that by following the protocols listed below we will be able to welcome the new year and worship together safely. For those uncomfortable with gathering in large groups and those who are feeling unwell, we will still offer access to our main sanctuary services on Zoom.
- There will be an Outdoor Family Service on Day 1 of Rosh Hashanah and on Yom Kippur Morning.
- We ask that everyone ages 3 yrs and up coming into the building be vaccinated, including boosters if eligible.
- We ask that everyone in the building ages 3 yrs and up wear a surgical (non-cloth) mask. (If you arrive wearing a cloth mask we will provide you to a surgical mask as an additional layer.)
- Please read the self-screening questionnaire posted in the lobby before entering services.
- For those requiring it, there will some designated socially distanced seating in the main sanctuary.
- Nissenbaum Social Hall will be set up for auxiliary distanced seating and there will be screen with a live stream from the main sanctuary, for those who wish to use the space.
- Clergy and lay leaders are fully vaccinated and will do rapid-testing at home before each service.
- Those leading services will wear a better-grade mask e.g. N95, KN95, KN94.
- Windows will be opened to increase our airflow.
- We will not be serving food or drink indoors.
- We plan to monitor these guidelines (and change them if necessary) to ensure they continue to work for us and keep everyone feeling healthy and secure at TBB.
- L'Shana Tova! A Happy and Healthy New Year!
COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR WEEKLY IN-PERSON SERVICES (last reviewed 5/25/22)
- We ask that anyone coming to shul be fully-vaccinated (including boosters insofar as you are eligible). We may or may not have volunteers or members at the door to check your status, so we are relying on an honor system for this.
- Doors to the shul will remain locked during services. Members will be provided means of entry. Please email tbb@templebnaibrith.org or call the office at 617-678-7927 if you are unsure how to enter.
- We ask that those attending services wear a surgical (non-cloth) mask and that those leading services wear a better-grade surgical mask (e.g. N95, KN95, KN94). We will have some of each kind on hand at the shul in case you do not own any. If you arrive wearing a cloth mask we may ask you to add a surgical mask as an additional layer.
- Please read the self-screening questionnaire posted in the lobby before entering services.
- Regular weekly services will be held in Nissenbaum Hall, with some slight changes to the configuration of pre-pandemic days. Chairs will be spaced 3’ apart (but can be joined closer together by family members, or spread out farther by those who would like to remain more distanced). The amud (reader’s table) will be moved to the front of the congregation and the leaders will face the congregation. Windows will be opened at least slightly to increase our airflow (unless the temperatures are really frigid).
- Lay leaders will be asked to sign up in advance, and encouraged to rapid-test at home before Shabbat.
- We will not be serving food or drink.
- BAR/BAT MITZVAH SERVICES will be held in THE SANCTUARY. ALL ATTENDEES WHO WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THE SERVICE ON THE BIMAH/STAGE ARE ASKED TO WEAR AN N95, KN95, OR KN94 MASK.
It goes without saying that the pandemic has shown us that our world can change quickly, so we plan to monitor these guidelines (and change them if necessary) to ensure they continue to work for us and keep everyone feeling healthy and secure at TBB.
February 22, 2022
Letter to the Community
We are excited to share with you our plan to reopen TBB for in-person Shabbat morning services beginning on Saturday, March 5.
Services will be multi-access: you can come in person or remain on Zoom. We recognize that everyone’s risk assessment varies these days, and our goal is for an in-person experience that feels as safe as the current climate allows to be joined with a Zoom experience that remains participatory and meaningful.
Ongoing collaboration between the Ritual Committee, staff, clergy, Board and COVID Advisory Committee has resulted in the following guidelines for our reopening:
- We ask that anyone coming to shul be fully-vaccinated (including boosters insofar as you are eligible). We may or may not have volunteers or members at the door to check your status, so we are relying on an honor system for this.
- Doors to the shul will remain locked during services. Members will be provided with temporary door entry codes each week.
- We ask that those attending services wear a surgical (non-cloth) mask and that those leading services wear a better-grade surgical mask (e.g. N95, KN95, KN94). We will have some of each kind on hand at the shul in case you do not own any. If you arrive wearing a cloth mask we may ask you to add a surgical mask as an additional layer.
- Please read the self-screening questionnaire posted in the lobby before entering services.
- Services will be held in Nissenbaum Hall, with some slight changes to the configuration of pre-pandemic days. Chairs will be spaced 3’ apart (but can be joined closer together by family members, or spread out farther by those who would like to remain more distanced). The amud (reader’s table) will be moved to the front of the congregation and the leaders will face the congregation. Windows will be opened at least slightly to increase our airflow (unless the temperatures are really frigid) so please keep that in mind.
- Lay leaders will be asked to sign up in advance, and encouraged to rapid-test at home before Shabbat.
- We will not be serving food or drink.
It goes without saying that the pandemic has shown us that our world can change quickly, so we plan to monitor these guidelines (and change them if necessary) to ensure they continue to work for us and keep everyone feeling healthy and secure at TBB.
One final reminder: Purim this year will remain on Zoom. The holiday is too big and chaotic (nevermind dependent on food and drink!) for us to gather safely for it this year. So get your costumes ready and please stay tuned for more information.
We look forward to being able to be at TBB with you, and for you!
January 19, 2022
Letter to the Community
Dear friends,
We are writing to share an update about our current plans for reopening the shul for services. Though no date has been set, the Ritual Committee is actively working on our logistics for a hybrid service.
While the COVID Advisory Committee is still at work, and there are a few smaller, non-worship activities scheduled, at this point a February reopening does not feel comfortable to the Ritual Committee. We spent our December meeting discussing logistical, technical, and halachic issues for future hybrid services. We are committed to making religious observance as meaningful and participatory for those who will feel safe and comfortable being in-person as it is for those who choose to remain on Zoom.
We are currently working on a webpage specifying these new details and logistics, and will send out the address when it is ready. While we know that these new services will involve a great deal of trial and error, we ask for your patience, and will be open to feedback. The next Ritual Committee meeting will be on January 26 and we will continue our discussions.
Thanks to all of you for your patience and understanding as we strive to meet the needs of our congregation as safely as we can.
Brian Green, M.D., Chair, Ritual Committee and Somerville Board of Health
Karin Blum
Larry Miller
David Strasburger
José Varón
Phil Weiss
Liz Perlman, President
Rabbi Eliana Jacobowitz
Lisa Gregerman, Executive Director
December 10, 2021
Letter to the Community
Dear Friends,
In response to so, so many inquiries from our members, and a clear desire and readiness on many congregants’ part for in-person interactions, we are happy to share this update about our current plans for reopening the shul for in-person interactions.
At the November meeting, the TBB Board formalized a decision-making process for re-opening, and approved the formation of a COVID Advisory Committee comprised of Rabbi Eliana, Lisa Gregerman (Executive Director), Liz Perlman (President), Brian Green, M.D. (Chair of Ritual Committee and Chair of Somerville Board of Health), and Sara Lennox, M.D. (Board member and Chair of the Cemetery Committee) to oversee any proposals.
Discussion about how best to reopen has been ongoing at the Ritual Committee, the Reimagining Steering Committee, the Executive Committee, and the Board of Directors. While health and safety issues have been at the forefront of every discussion, it will be no surprise to any of you that the answers to the question of how exactly we should reopen have been quite variable. Everyone’s perception of risk and their own risk tolerance varies, and the information on which those assessments are based evolve frequently as the virus changes itself and our lives. Right now there is no single right answer for everyone, and we all acknowledge that as we move forward.
We are starting with programs with parameters that are on the lower end of the risk spectrum: short programs (an hour or less) to be held in Nissenbaum Hall, attendance limited to 15-20 people, pre-registration required, very limited singing, social distancing observed, no food allowed. Masks must be worn (per Somerville regulations) and proof of vaccination will be required. We have a few programs teed up to start immediately so that we can test out some of these ideas.
We are optimistically planning to resume our singing-heavy Kabbalat Shabbat and Shabbat morning services in person, possibly in February, dependent on the course of the pandemic and the rise of this latest nasty variant. There are still halachic, logistic, and technical issues we need to work out in order to make hybrid services as successful as possible. We are committed to making religious observance as meaningful and participatory for those who will feel safe and comfortable being in-person as it is for those who choose to remain on Zoom.
Thanks to all of you for your patience and understanding as we strive to meet the needs of our congregation as safely as we can.
Shabbat shalom –
Rabbi Eliana
Liz Perlman
Lisa Gregerman
Brian Green, M.D.
Sara Lennox, M.D.
August 16, 2021
Our priority remains keeping our community connected, but we must continue to do that as safely as possible. The consensus decision of the Ritual Committee is to shift all of our High Holiday services to being virtual again, with one exception. We are still planning an in-person Family Service which will be held outdoors on the second day of Rosh Hashanah (Wednesday September 8th). Our children have missed so much formative community experience of the holidays during the pandemic that we all agreed we could not forego Family Services entirely. Since all of our service leaders will now be at home, logistics require shifting our in- person Rosh Hashanah Family Service to the second day (with registration required) and shifting our Yom Kippur Family Service to Zoom.
We hope to make this outdoor service a meaningful experience and further regret that, in order to minimize the risk of transmission, we will not have a kiddush or blessing over apples and honey. Masks will be required of all attendees because we intend for there to be singing. We are continuing with our plan for an outdoor Tashlich service on the first day of Rosh Hashanah which we also expect to be masked.
More details will be sent out later this month as we fine-tune our plans. Please keep an eye out for the members' machzor (HH prayerbook) distribution dates. (And yes, there will be gifts with them!)
At this time, the Ritual Committee is still assessing Sukkot plans, and no decision has been made about Simchat Torah or Fall Shabbat services or Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations scheduled this fall. We are all in an unfortunate (and unfortunately familiar) waiting game here, with decisions to be based on local COVID data and potential changes to Somerville city regulations.
We wish you all a healthy and happy New Year, and look forward to seeing you electronically and on Central Street when possible!
Brian Green, M.D., Chair, Ritual Committee and Chair, Somerville Board of Health
Karin Blum
Larry Miller
David Strasburger
José Varón
Phil Weiss
Liz Perlman, President
Rabbi Eliana Jacobowitz
June 2021
The Nitty-Gritty of the Decision Making Process Around Reopening
1) COVID issues - Regardless of vaccination levels in the community, we cannot expect all members of TBB to be vaccinated by the High Holidays. It is simply impossible for some age groups and health conditions. There are also new variants appearing, and increasing travel over the summer makes the fall too unpredictable. We needed to develop a plan we could stick with since we cannot make changes to our services at the last minute that will satisfy our needs. Because most high holiday activities require singing together and being in a building without sophisticated ventilation, we cannot fill the building on the high holidays even with low community rates. We feel it is not in keeping with the spirit of TBB to be determining subgroups of congregants and families who are able to attend specific portions of the services.
2) Fair access - Zoom-type services have been a benefit to those members of our congregation who had difficulty joining in-person services for a variety of health reasons (such as hearing impairment, or mobility challenges). Providing improved access to all members of our community is part of our mission, and we need to develop a multi-access model for the future.
3) Safety - Well before COVID began, we were planning for safety concerns around Jewish ritual, and sadly these concerns have not abated. We will continue to need to control access to the building, while also focusing on keeping the spiritual aspect paramount. Having the shul at full capacity is just not viable this year.
4) Regarding other congregations - TBB is an urban synagogue with an old building, limited parking, and no ventilation system. We do not have outdoor space, tents or function halls. Our decisions are based on those issues, and may well be different from other congregations.
March 10, 2021
Statement voted on and approved by Temple B'nai Brith Board of Directors:
On the one year anniversary of our congregation moving to Zoom services, we want to thank everyone who helped us remain a community. We do not have any plans to open the building at this point, all worship and services will remain on Zoom. We will keep this page updated as things change.
Current statement from the City of Somerville
Nov 6, 2020, 6:53 PM
This is a message from the Somerville, MA Community Alert System.
New State Covid Restrictions Announced
It’s been a tough year, and needing new Covid-19 rules may not be how we all hoped to spend fall. But winter is coming, the virus spreads better indoors, and Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations are on the rise across the Commonwealth. We feel fortunate to be in a community where the vast majority have done all they can to help slow the spread. This week the Governor announced new measures to help flatten the curve of the new Covid-19 surge. Please read them below and follow them. We flattened the first curve, Somerville, and we ask everyone to help do this again.
All orders and advisories go into effect, Friday, November 6. The new State orders include those listed below. Thank you for doing your part.
New State advisories:
Stay at Home Advisory, Be Home by 10 p.m.: With exceptions for essential activities, such as going to work, grocery shopping, pharmacy and medical visits, or taking a walk, all residents are instructed to stay home with their household (not with guests) between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Click here for details: www.mass.gov/stayhome.
Always Wear a Face Covering in Public (over your mouth and nose) (indoors and outdoors) No Matter How Far You Are from Others: Face coverings are one tool we know works. The State now requires all persons over the age of five to wear face-coverings in all public places at all times, even when you are at a distance from others. This applies indoors and outdoors. Previous exceptions including for medical or disabling conditions remain. As a reminder, Somerville’s face covering order applies starting at age 2 and up. Click here to read the revised face-coverings order.
Keep Gatherings Safer: The State has reduced gathering size limits and now requires that all gatherings (regardless of size or location) must end by 9:30 p.m. In Somerville, all indoor and outdoor gatherings remain limited to ten or fewer people. The State also now requires that hosts report known positive COVID-19 cases to the local health department and cooperate with contact tracing. Call 311 (617-666-3311) to reach the Somerville Health and Human Services Department. Click here to read the revised gatherings rules.
Certain Businesses and Activities to close or stop at 9:30 p.m.: To support the Stay at Home Advisory, the State has ordered the following businesses and activities to close each night at 9:30 p.m. and they may not reopen before 5 a.m. This includes: Thank you. More Covid-19 and City news is to come soon in the next full Covid-19 update.
May 20, 2020
Dear TBBers,
All of you will have certainly heard the news that Governor Baker has authorized houses of worship to reopen under strict safety guidelines. The city of Somerville is taking a more cautious approach than the state, so TBB and all other houses of worship remain closed per Somerville regulations.
From the Somerville website:
“All additional reopening steps remain on temporary hold as the City assesses the State plan in order to make sure those phases of the reopening are practical and safe for our community. This includes, for example, hair salons, houses of worship, and playgrounds.”
The rabbi and staff and Executive Committee are continuing to monitor local and state information as it is released, and will formulate a plan for reopening when it is possible to do so safely. But right now, we are not anywhere near certainty as to what safety might look like, so while we know you are anxious to be back in our lovely building and together with friends, please be patient. It will be a while.
We are not alone in in our extreme caution about re-opening. Please see the statement released by the Massachusetts Board of Rabbis this afternoon in response below.
Although we remain physically-distanced, we are so happy to see all of you who are joining in our new normal of Zoom prayers and learning, and taking part in all that makes our community caring and vibrant.
We promise to keep you updated when plans begin to evolve.
Rabbi Eliana Jacobowitz
Liz Perlman, President
Lisa Gregerman, Executive Director
Dear TBBers,
All of you will have certainly heard the news that Governor Baker has authorized houses of worship to reopen under strict safety guidelines. The city of Somerville is taking a more cautious approach than the state, so TBB and all other houses of worship remain closed per Somerville regulations.
From the Somerville website:
“All additional reopening steps remain on temporary hold as the City assesses the State plan in order to make sure those phases of the reopening are practical and safe for our community. This includes, for example, hair salons, houses of worship, and playgrounds.”
The rabbi and staff and Executive Committee are continuing to monitor local and state information as it is released, and will formulate a plan for reopening when it is possible to do so safely. But right now, we are not anywhere near certainty as to what safety might look like, so while we know you are anxious to be back in our lovely building and together with friends, please be patient. It will be a while.
We are not alone in in our extreme caution about re-opening. Please see the statement released by the Massachusetts Board of Rabbis this afternoon in response below.
Although we remain physically-distanced, we are so happy to see all of you who are joining in our new normal of Zoom prayers and learning, and taking part in all that makes our community caring and vibrant.
We promise to keep you updated when plans begin to evolve.
Rabbi Eliana Jacobowitz
Liz Perlman, President
Lisa Gregerman, Executive Director
Statement from the Massachusetts Board of Rabbis Regarding
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Phase 1 Reopening Plan for Houses of Worship
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Phase 1 Reopening Plan for Houses of Worship
It is with great concern for human life that we share with you the following statement.
Jewish tradition teaches that the value of pikuach nefesh, saving a life, comes before all else. The state’s new safety standards raise many questions for clergy, lay leaders, and synagogues. We know our synagogue members are saddened that we cannot gather together for communal worship. We understand the disappointment when life cycle events cannot happen as planned. At the same time, the health and safety of synagogue members, clergy, and staff must be the preeminent Jewish value as we chart a new way forward.
In these days of yearning to be together, we recognize that in other states gathering to worship has hastened the spread of Covid-19 and could jeopardize the progress of these long weeks of being at home. Throughout history, the Jewish community has placed the needs of the kahal and the greater community above all else. Protecting those most vulnerable and ensuring there is no further spread of disease is of the utmost importance and a cornerstone of our Jewish values.
Therefore, the Massachusetts Board of Rabbis maintains that synagogues and Jewish institutions should only physically reopen their spaces when they can be assured of the well-being of their members, especially the most vulnerable amongst us. When the time does come to physically reopen, we are committed to implementing all health and safety best practices as guided by medical experts.
At this challenging moment, we also call upon our government officials to prioritize human life above all else. We do not want our family, friends and neighbors to become statistics. Just as we will rely on expert medical opinions as we proceed with extreme caution, we encourage the leaders of our Commonwealth to do the same.
Finally, we remain committed to all those in our community impacted by the shut-down and Covid-19. We will continue to care for and support those in need and to support our communal organizations.
We pray for the health and safety of our community and our friends and neighbors as we take the next steps forward in responding to this unprecedented communal crisis.
With appreciation for all that you’re doing during these trying times,
The Massachusetts Board of Rabbis Executive Committee:
Rabbi Neal Gold, President
Rabbi Alison Adler
Rabbi Allison Berry
Rabbi Ron Fish
Rabbi Navah Levine
Rabbi Sara Paasche-Orlow
Rabbi Victor Reinstein
Rabbi Toba Spitzer
Jewish tradition teaches that the value of pikuach nefesh, saving a life, comes before all else. The state’s new safety standards raise many questions for clergy, lay leaders, and synagogues. We know our synagogue members are saddened that we cannot gather together for communal worship. We understand the disappointment when life cycle events cannot happen as planned. At the same time, the health and safety of synagogue members, clergy, and staff must be the preeminent Jewish value as we chart a new way forward.
In these days of yearning to be together, we recognize that in other states gathering to worship has hastened the spread of Covid-19 and could jeopardize the progress of these long weeks of being at home. Throughout history, the Jewish community has placed the needs of the kahal and the greater community above all else. Protecting those most vulnerable and ensuring there is no further spread of disease is of the utmost importance and a cornerstone of our Jewish values.
Therefore, the Massachusetts Board of Rabbis maintains that synagogues and Jewish institutions should only physically reopen their spaces when they can be assured of the well-being of their members, especially the most vulnerable amongst us. When the time does come to physically reopen, we are committed to implementing all health and safety best practices as guided by medical experts.
At this challenging moment, we also call upon our government officials to prioritize human life above all else. We do not want our family, friends and neighbors to become statistics. Just as we will rely on expert medical opinions as we proceed with extreme caution, we encourage the leaders of our Commonwealth to do the same.
Finally, we remain committed to all those in our community impacted by the shut-down and Covid-19. We will continue to care for and support those in need and to support our communal organizations.
We pray for the health and safety of our community and our friends and neighbors as we take the next steps forward in responding to this unprecedented communal crisis.
With appreciation for all that you’re doing during these trying times,
The Massachusetts Board of Rabbis Executive Committee:
Rabbi Neal Gold, President
Rabbi Alison Adler
Rabbi Allison Berry
Rabbi Ron Fish
Rabbi Navah Levine
Rabbi Sara Paasche-Orlow
Rabbi Victor Reinstein
Rabbi Toba Spitzer
March, 13 2020
Dear TBB community
We were alerted early this morning that one of the parents in our Children's school has tested positive for COVID-19. Her husband and child attended the Purim carnival at the synagogue on Sunday, although she herself did not. Her husband and child are not exhibiting symptoms and are feeling well. None of them attended the Megillah reading Monday night.
We consulted both medical professionals and city officials for guidance. The current recommendation for contact with contacts of a person who is sick is to wash your hands, refrain from touching your face, and practice social distancing.
The family is in 14-day quarantine. There is no requirement for you to self-quarantine, but limiting your contact with others as much as possible is recommended for everyone right now.
Because our building was not fully sanitized after the Purim carnival Sunday, we hope that everyone who came to shul Monday night will also try to limit interactions with others for 48 hours and monitor closely for symptoms.
Because of our limited capacity for cleaning and sanitizing the building, the shul will remain closed for now. We respectfully request that you not enter even if you have a key card or an entry code.
We thank Dr. Brian Green and Jeff Dwoskin, our Security Manager, for consulting with us.
Thank you,
Liz Perlman Eliana Jacobowitz
President Rabbi
March 11, 2020
רַק הִשָּׁמֶר לְךָ וּשְׁמֹר נַפְשְׁךָ מְאֹד
“Only be careful and guard yourself very much”
Deuteronomy 4:9
“Only be careful and guard yourself very much”
Deuteronomy 4:9
Dearest friends,
Out of an abundance of caution the executive committee, executive director and the religious leadership of our community decided to take the following steps to ensure the safety of all members of our community.
1. Taking effect immediately, classes at the Children’s School and Rabbi Eliana’s b’nai mitzvah class are cancelled. Rabbi Eliana, Shimrit and the teachers are working to create alternative content to keep our children engaged for the time being. More about this in a couple of days.
2. Tot Shabbat – We’ll do it online, and probably in a slightly different format.
3. All our currently scheduled adult ed classes are cancelled.
We will offer new learning opportunities for the coming weeks. These will be online and hopefully a way for us to stay in touch and see each other in what might be a time of relative isolation.
Torah at Panera and 929 (our Shabbat morning Tanach Bible study group) will continue as online classes. Our next meetings will be held at the usual times, and we can decide together if there is a better time for the group for online learning.
4. No in-person Shabbat services - Perhaps the most difficult decision to make was our decision to close the building and not hold Friday and Shabbat services for now. Phil and Rabbi Eliana with the help of Jeff Dwoskin (TBB member and our excellent tech, online meetings, and security person) are working on ways to have online services and we will communicate with you more about this soon.
I know this is a confusing and surreal time for many. The Jewish thing in times of difficulty is to seek out one’s community – the place where we can go for comfort and to support each other. This current situation feels extra difficult because we are told that the safe and responsible thing to do is keep away.
Please know that we are a community even when we are not gathered together at 201 Central Street. You are not alone. We are making every possible effort to hold a sense of community for us as we try to get through the next couple of months. I know not everyone is living with family and that this can be a lonely time. I plan to make a few phone calls daily to chat with folk and see how you are all doing. If you would like a phone call, email and let me know. There will be online discussions and socializing opportunities, as well as opportunities to learn and to study Torah together. If you are unsure how to join or use the online tools we will be using, we have volunteers who will walk you through it.
The rabbis of old interpret Deut. 4:9 and Deut. 4:15 (“you shall guard your souls very much”) in this way: “these verses come to teach that a person must guard their body as to not bring oneself into a state of danger… and even though this is not the simple meaning of these verses in context, our rabbis, may their memory be a blessing, learned from these and created edicts and decrees to bar all the things that put a person in harm’s way. (Levush on shulchan aruch, YD, 116.)
None of us really knows what course this current pandemic will take. Not everyone agrees on the way to slow its progress. We are doing what we deem best while considering that a large part of our community is in the groups that are in heightened risk. We hope you understand and support our decision. Our president Liz and the members of the executive committee are happy to discuss our reasons for making these decisions with you personally if you feel the need.
Please stay safe,
To be continued.
Rabbi Eliana on behalf of all the people mentioned above
Out of an abundance of caution the executive committee, executive director and the religious leadership of our community decided to take the following steps to ensure the safety of all members of our community.
1. Taking effect immediately, classes at the Children’s School and Rabbi Eliana’s b’nai mitzvah class are cancelled. Rabbi Eliana, Shimrit and the teachers are working to create alternative content to keep our children engaged for the time being. More about this in a couple of days.
2. Tot Shabbat – We’ll do it online, and probably in a slightly different format.
3. All our currently scheduled adult ed classes are cancelled.
We will offer new learning opportunities for the coming weeks. These will be online and hopefully a way for us to stay in touch and see each other in what might be a time of relative isolation.
Torah at Panera and 929 (our Shabbat morning Tanach Bible study group) will continue as online classes. Our next meetings will be held at the usual times, and we can decide together if there is a better time for the group for online learning.
4. No in-person Shabbat services - Perhaps the most difficult decision to make was our decision to close the building and not hold Friday and Shabbat services for now. Phil and Rabbi Eliana with the help of Jeff Dwoskin (TBB member and our excellent tech, online meetings, and security person) are working on ways to have online services and we will communicate with you more about this soon.
I know this is a confusing and surreal time for many. The Jewish thing in times of difficulty is to seek out one’s community – the place where we can go for comfort and to support each other. This current situation feels extra difficult because we are told that the safe and responsible thing to do is keep away.
Please know that we are a community even when we are not gathered together at 201 Central Street. You are not alone. We are making every possible effort to hold a sense of community for us as we try to get through the next couple of months. I know not everyone is living with family and that this can be a lonely time. I plan to make a few phone calls daily to chat with folk and see how you are all doing. If you would like a phone call, email and let me know. There will be online discussions and socializing opportunities, as well as opportunities to learn and to study Torah together. If you are unsure how to join or use the online tools we will be using, we have volunteers who will walk you through it.
The rabbis of old interpret Deut. 4:9 and Deut. 4:15 (“you shall guard your souls very much”) in this way: “these verses come to teach that a person must guard their body as to not bring oneself into a state of danger… and even though this is not the simple meaning of these verses in context, our rabbis, may their memory be a blessing, learned from these and created edicts and decrees to bar all the things that put a person in harm’s way. (Levush on shulchan aruch, YD, 116.)
None of us really knows what course this current pandemic will take. Not everyone agrees on the way to slow its progress. We are doing what we deem best while considering that a large part of our community is in the groups that are in heightened risk. We hope you understand and support our decision. Our president Liz and the members of the executive committee are happy to discuss our reasons for making these decisions with you personally if you feel the need.
Please stay safe,
To be continued.
Rabbi Eliana on behalf of all the people mentioned above