Friends,
We want to share with you important new information about measures we are taking at Temple to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. In our letter earlier this week, we committed to follow all recommendations of the King County Public Health Department. We are keeping that commitment by implementing new recommendations released yesterday:
https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/communicable-diseases/disease-control/novel-coronavirus/protection.aspx
In brief, the recommendations encourage “social distancing” by:
- Encouraging employers to permit employees to work from home where possible.
- Recommending against large gatherings or events.
- Recommending that certain groups avoid crowds where possible:
- Those over 60
- With underlying health conditions
- With weakened immune systems
- Those who are pregnant
In addition, Public Health recommends that schools remain open.
Although it does not appear in this release, at a press conference, County Executive Dow Constantine stated that for public health purposes, the definition of “large gathering” is 10 or more people. While we may interpret this flexibly in some circumstances, this guideline is especially important for those in the at-risk populations defined above.
Our decision-making has been guided by the need to protect these vulnerable individuals, and to help contain the spread of this illness. We are all in uncharted waters here, and so where necessary, we have erred on the side of caution.
As one of our congregants who is a medical professional put it, King County Public Health is recommending “gentle social distancing without destroying the social fabric.” Taking these words to heart, along with our bedrock commitment to pikuach nefesh, the safeguarding of life and health, we have made the following changes to our services and programs:
Shabbat Services
- Shabbat services (Friday night and Saturday morning) will be streamed only. We invite you to join us online at www.templedehirschsinai.org/streaming or on Facebook.
- Saturday morning Torah study will occur via Zoom if enough participants wish to do so. We will provide Zoom instructions separately. Please contact Rabbi Kate Speizer if you wish to Zoom.
- While we cannot gather in community physically to celebrate Shabbat together, we encourage you to celebrate at home. Here is one resource: https://reformjudaism.org/shabbat-blessings
Jennifer Rosen Meade Preschool
- Will remain open until further notice.
- No group “Tot Shabbat”; Shabbat will be observed in classrooms
- We discourage in-person visits by anyone in one of the vulnerable groups listed above
Bridge Family Religion School
- Hebrew School classes will take place this week; we will reassess on Friday. No group tefillah but students will meet in small groups.
- Sunday School will continue as usual until further notice.
- TDSY classes and TDSY shul-in are cancelled
B’nai Mitzvah
- We will be working with each family whose simcha is scheduled in the next two months on alternative plans (giving priority to those closest in time).
- Rehearsals will continue.
- One-on-one tutoring will occur by arrangement with parents and teachers, generally shifting to Zoom or Facetime.
Introduction to Judaism
- This class will shift to Zoom.
The following programs will be cancelled until further notice:
- Endless Opportunities
The status of other events and programs is under discussion.
We do not yet have a timeline for these modifications, but we will let you know when we have more information.
While we avoid gathering physically in groups, we can continue to live our Jewish values by taking care, not only of ourselves and our families, but also our neighbors and friends. Touch base with loved ones by phone, text, email or Skype. Write an old-fashioned note to a friend or relative. Take time to study one of our sacred texts, or enjoy a more modern Jewish book or film at home. Help out a congregant who doesn’t know how to stream services with some personal “tech support.”
Above all, take time to connect with loved ones. While it is tempting to monitor news developments 24/7 on our phones, we encourage you to put down the phone and to see another person face-to-face—heart to heart. Have a conversation. Enjoy a laugh. Connect.
It is through these bonds with others that we remain bound to our tradition, to our community, and to God.
We wish all of you health and safety, kindness and connection, mazel and love.
B’shalom,
Rabbi Daniel Weiner
Don Loeb
Lisa D. Horowitz