covid19updates

Dear Young Israel Family,

We are living in uncertain times. The outbreak of COVID-19 has challenged many of the ways we live our lives and added a level of uncertainty and an element of the unknown that is almost as difficult.

Like many of you, we have been watching and monitoring the developments in this outbreak in our region, around the globe and across the Jewish world. As we have said again and again, nothing is more important than the safety and good health of you our community and family! We continue to follow the guidance of our local and communal medical professionals and take our cues from the CDC, Department of Public Health and our state and town government. We have been consulting with our team of health professionals, Drs. Ganeles, Luger and Porat. We are so grateful for their time, support and wisdom! We are also in constant contact with synagogues and Jewish institutions across the region as well as across the country. It is important to note, that while there are many valuable shared suggestions and lessons, every location and communal situation is different and requires unique consideration and application.

That said, as of now, neither the CDC, local health authorities nor local hospitals have instructed us to cease operations. After careful consideration, we feel it is our responsibility to curtail some of the activities at Young Israel in an effort to mitigate the spread of the virus while minimizing the disruption to daily life. If you and your family have further concerns, in consultation with your physicians, please take whatever precautions you conclude are most appropriate.

Arriving at these decisions is not easy, as the situation is fluid. Please anticipate further communications as the situation evolves.
 
Minyanim

• We will continue to have regular minyan both during the week and on Shabbat.
• All minyanim until further notice will meet upstairs in order to facilitate spreading out and social distancing protocols.
• If you are not feeling well in the slightest-including any fever or cough-please do not come to shul. You are exempt from davening with a minyan as your presence puts others at risk.
• If you are in a vulnerable group, which includes people 70 years old or above, people with comorbidities such as heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease, or if you are otherwise immunocompromised, it is vital that you take additional precautions against contracting this disease. If you are unsure whether you fit any of those criteria, please consult your physician. If you have any hesitation about attending shul because of any of these reasons, you are exempt from davening with a minyan.
• Upon entering shul, each person is asked to wash their hands (extensively and hygienically, not just ritually), as this is one of the most effective means of mitigating the spread of disease. Please make liberal use of hand sanitizer and frequent hand washing throughout davening as well.
• We continue to ask people NOT to shake hands while at Young Israel. While it may feel uncomfortable or even silly, you can nod or bow slightly, or bump elbows.
• We also continue to ask people to refrain from kissing the Mezuzot, Torah or Tallism.

Kiddushes, Seudat Shlishit and Socializing

• In keeping our Mayor’s and Governor’s guidance to curtail social gatherings of more than 100 people, we will be putting all kiddushes on hold until further notice.
• At the present, we will continue to have Seudat Shlishit and ask everyone to sit a bit more spaced out downstairs.
• All other social programs are being postponed until further notice (including Sunday’s Leil Shira). 
• An email about our 50th Gala Anniversary is forthcoming.

Classes and Shiurim

• Rabbi Brander’s Sunday morning Gemara class and weekly parasha lunch’n’learn will continue to meet but over the virtual platform Zoom (details will be sent out later).

Youth Department

• Shabbat Morning groups will run this week and then stop meeting until school resumes.
• Yair Lichtman, our youth director, will be coming this Shabbat. He was not exposed and was never in any need of formal quarantine. Yet, as he was on the YU campus, his whereabouts and health have been monitored for the last 14+ days and he is completely healthy.
• Other youth events will be assessed individually as they get closer.

 
Shopping Assistance

• If you are staying home out of caution and need assistance with providing for your needs (such as food shopping), please contact Rabbi Brander and he will help make arrangements with our Chesed committee to assist.
• If you would like to volunteer to help with these needs, please add your name to this list: https://forms.gle/KoDSH1uCLGYsLPbBA .

These are trying times. We find ourselves needing to make decisions without all the information that we are used to having available to us. It demands prudence, balance, care and concern for those around us. While the vast majority of the people who contract the virus may only experience mild to moderate disease, a significant minority can become seriously ill. It is our responsibility to care for and protect as many as possible. It's also an opportunity to teach our children how we respond in times of crisis. We should demonstrate by example that we are both taking practical steps to protect our health as well as turning to the Almighty. We should not panic, but remain calm, while allowing children to express their fears and concerns. In doing so, we not only help build their resilience, but raise a generation who learn that as a community, we rise to the occasion when people need to be protected.
 
We will, of course, continue to monitor this evolving situation and will continue to re-evaluate these policies. In the meantime, we remain available to answer questions or to arrange help in any way that we can.  Please don't hesitate to reach out.

May the Almighty watch over us and all of our communities and protect us from this and all illness!
 
Sincerely,
 
Rabbi Tuvia Brander (rabbi@youngisraelwh.org)
Les Loew (coordinator@youngisraelwh.org)