As it was noted earlier this week, the ability to form a
minyan
requires the presence of ten Jewish adults physically present in a single place. Once a
minyan
is constituted, those who are reciting
Kaddish
during a period of mourning or in observance of a
yahrzeit
may join the group by virtual means. Our present circumstances and commitment to safeguarding the health of our larger community during the coronavirus pandemic prevent us from holding
minyan
at this time. Even without the ability to form a
minyan,
our virtual services morning and evening offer comfort and meaning in fostering spiritual connection during this period of isolation.
Links to participate in these services can be found at the end of this message.
Hazzan Holzer, Rabbi Rosenblum and I have spent a significant amount of time over the last several days reviewing the issue of what liturgical elements may be recited by a community in a time of crisis when the formation of a
minyan
is impossible and the only way to gather a quorum is via the internet. As the synagogue’s
mara d’atra
(halakhic authority), and after consultation with the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards (CJLS) of the Conservative movement, I’ve been able to establish the following guidelines:
- The above leniency does not apply to other forms of the Kaddish, public Torah reading, Barkhu, or the Kedushah of the Amidah, which require the physical presence of a minyan.
- The technology we presently use for creating online gatherings during the week, including our virtual services, requires log-ons and utilizes interactive features that are not permissible on Shabbat. While we hope to begin livestreaming on Shabbat in the next week or so, the very features which enable us to broadcast on the Sabbath preclude forming an interactive group of ten in which participants can see, hear, and respond to one another. On Shabbat we will read the yahrzeit list after which a member of the clergy will recite an alternative to the Mourner’s Kaddish.
This is a time of unprecedented and sweeping upheaval whose exigencies allow for flexibility with Jewish law in specific circumstances. While the definition of what constitutes a
minyan
has not changed and this dispensation is limited only to the crisis at hand, I know the ability to recite the time-honored words of
Kaddish
when we have a gathering of ten Jewish adults who can see, hear, and respond to one another on-line will bring a measure of solace to those who seek to honor the memory of loved ones.
Additionally, we have been using a downloadable PDF
siddur
for the past week at our virtual services. As the synagogue’s closure stretches into a second week and beyond, we will transition to the use of our regular
siddurim
as of Sunday morning. Some already own copies of
Siddur Sim Shalom for Weekdays
(red or gray cover) and/or
Siddur Sim Shalom for Shabbat and Festivals
(blue cover). For those who do not we strongly encourage you to purchase these prayer books – not just for use during the current outbreak of Coronavirus, but because
siddurim
are important texts to have in a Jewish home.
If you don’t presently own a
h
umash
we strongly encourage you to buy one. Like a
siddur
, the
Five Books of Moses
from which we chant Torah and Haftarah
each Shabbat and holiday is a foundational text for a Jewish home. While we will not have a formal Torah reading during our virtual services, as mentioned earlier, we will certainly be using
h
umashim
at various on-line services and classes.
Those who wish to purchase a
siddur
or
h
umash
, or download different services from
Siddur Sim Shalom,
can find more information by
clicking here
.
We look forward to connecting with you at the following online services:
KABBALAT SHABBAT UNDER GROUND hosted by Hazzan Holzer
6:00 PM FRIDAY
HAVDALLAH
8:15 PM SATURDAY
8:30 AM SUNDAY MORNING SERVICES
8:00 AM MORNING SERVICES (Monday through Friday)
8:00 PM EVENING SERVICES (Monday through Thursday)
The Dial in number for all Zoom events is (929) 205-6099
. You will need to download the free Zoom App for your phone, computer or tablet (iPhone and Android) if you have not done so already.
We are here to help you stay connected to God, Torah and Jewish community. Until we can meet in person, see you on the silver screen!
B'shalom,
Rabbi Jonathan Lubliner
Jack F. Shorstein Senior Rabbinic Chair
