Weeknight Evening Study Replacing Minyan:
Each evening, Sunday through Thursday at 7:30 pm, one of the OJC rabbis will be teaching a 15 minute
shiur
(lesson) followed by a psalm and an opportunity for those who are saying kaddish to recite
The Prayer for Those Who Wish to Say Kaddish
.
The schedule of study can be found on
OJC TV.
We know that several resources are providing virtual minyanim with the recitation of Kaddish. The rabbis of OJC are abiding by Conservative Movement halakha which states that there must be a minyan gathered in reality in order for those joining virtually to consider themselves part of a minyan. If you have questions or just want to talk about this particular loss, be in touch with one of the rabbis.
Volunteer Opportunities
:
- Would you be willing to call five to eight member households and check in to see how they are doing? Our goal is to reach every OJC member to connect, hear how they are managing, and find out if they need ongoing check-in calls, food delivery, errands or other support. We will provide a training for phone call volunteers early next week. Please send your name, email and best phone contact via email by Sunday, March 22. Please put "Phone Squad" in the subject line.
- Are you computer savvy and a good teacher? Would you be willing to assist congregants via the phone who want to join us online but are not sure how to access various platforms like Zoom, Facebook, etc.? Please send your name, email and best phone contact via email. Please put "Computer Assist" in the subject line.
Basic Safety:
Rabbi Hersh represented OJC on a call with the Governor’s Office this past week. Rabbi Scheff and Rabbi Drill are connected to the Rockland Jewish Federated community and Board of Rabbis. Michael Pucci is constantly being updated with information from CDC, WHO and Rockland County Health Department. We are trying to make decisions in the most reasonable and cautious manner possible.
The OJC building will remain closed for business, services and programs until further notice. Krista Bohn, Deb Klock, Helen Barnett, Rabbis Scheff, Drill and Hersh, Rabbi Miriam and Kulanu faculty, Sharon Rappaport, and Amichai Margolis are all working remotely, checking email and phone messages, working together to plan for OJC in the days and weeks ahead. Do not hesitate to reach out, but do not come out to the synagogue! We will reevaluate the building closure each week.
Many of you have expressed concern about simchas and sorrows of our fellow congregants. With regard to upcoming b’nai mitzvah and other simchas, we are working with each individual family with creativity and flexibility to honor their needs and support them through this time. If there are losses during this time, the OJC rabbis will perform all burial services at graveside with no more than twenty-five people in attendance. We will recommend private shiva homes. Of course, we will work with families in times of loss with loving care and on an individual basis.
If you are in need of financial support through these difficult times, please reach out directly to one of the rabbis via email.
Shabbat:
As you know from our last email, OJC will not be open this coming Shabbat for a live-streamed minyan as all of the rabbis and professional staff continue in self-quarantine.
However, this coming Friday, March 20 at 5:45 pm, we invite everyone to attend
EKS (Early Kabbalat Shabbat)
with Rabbi Hersh and Amichai. Rabbi Scheff and Rabbi Drill will be there too. While this rocking musical service is designed for young children and their grown-ups, we are inviting everyone this week for a much needed pick-us-up! (You’ll have to provide the macaroni and cheese and fishsticks on your own!)
We hope that we will be able to gather exactly ten on Friday night and Saturday morning, March 27 and 28, to livestream services at 7:00 pm for Evening Services and 9:30 am (beginning with Shacharit, the morning service). Stay tuned for more information before next week.
Be in touch with us! At this time of social distancing, join us in spiritual connecting!
With friendship,
