Dear Fellow Jew and Community,
In this time of widespread fear and panic, it is becoming obvious that what we need more than anything is a sense of stability, calm and consistency.
As Jews we have become experts in discerning the difference between what everyone is doing and what should be done. Panic is never safe, yet most people are panicking. It is the panic that is causing fear and economic hardship. We need to use common sense, be careful, and take it easy.
The following are the reasons why our synagogue will not close, or suspend services that do not have large crowds.
- A synagogue is a place of comfort and provides a sense of calm and stability. This is the place where fears are calmed, people are reassured and engage in peaceful prayer, inviting G-d into our lives. If there is one place that should not close it is the synagogue.
- Even if you don’t go to the synagogue, just knowing your synagogue is immune from panic and fear provides a sense of stability and calm that is so desperately needed at this time.
- It is precisely the type of face to face human interaction in the synagogue that helps to eliminate the fear and panic that is going on.
- The synagogue is not in the category of “large gatherings”, that are being restricted.
- Gathering in the synagogue can be controlled much more than that of sports games or broadway shows.
- Synagogues can communicate directly to their people with instructions and guidelines to stay safe while attending services.
- The synagogue for the Jew is as essential and vital, as the food store and the availability of basic needs and medical care. This has been true in times of the Roman persecution, Spanish Inqusition, black plague, and even in Nazi Germany, where gathering was just as or more dangerous than Covid 19. We have survived all the above and more, because we stayed true to who we are and did not give in to fear or panic.
Therefore, our daily and Shabbos services will continue as scheduled and remain open to regular attendees only, however events and programs that have large gatherings will each be reevaluated. We will also continue to monitor the situation and respond accordingly. Children, elderly and anyone feeling even slight cold or flu symptoms should not attend.
More safety guidelines will be posted in the synagogue.
With this in mind, we remind everyone of the importance of staying home if you don’t feel well, have a cough, or have been in direct contact with someone who tested positive or has symptoms of the virus.
Safety protocols in synagogue are: not shaking hands at all, washing hands with soap just as you enter the synagogue and right before you leave.
Regularly used surfaces in the synagogue will be disinfected before and after each service. This includes all door handles, table and chair surfaces, books and other commonly used surfaces, and chairs are double spaced from each other.
Please read and watch less news and stay away from social media, instead, engage in Torah study, work, and other forms of educational and constructive uses of your time.
Eat healthy, protein, vitamin c, drink plenty of water, get a good eight hours of sleep every night, relax, do exercise, smile in the mirror and to others, laugh, sing, say please, thank you and your welcome, use common sense, be safe and trust in
G-d!
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
With prayers for health and safety to all,
Sincerely,
Rabbi Mendel Zaltzman
