IMPORTANT TBZ UPDATES
Regarding COVID 19: the Coronavirus
As of Thursday, March 12th, 2020
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A message from Rav Claudia and TBZ's President Sara Smolover.
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T
o our TBZ Community,
While in times of challenge we strive to come together in community, at this unique moment, as we work to limit the impact of Covid-19/Coronavirus on our community, coming together physically is counter to best practices. Reducing direct social contact, particularly in large groups, is the most responsible approach to supporting our community.
What does that mean for us?
Here are our guidelines for the next two weeks, beginning this Friday evening, March 13th:
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Here’s what will be CANCELLED:
- Shabbat services, Torah Study, oneg and kiddush
- Gatherings at TBZ (classes, meetings, minyans) for OVER 25 people
- Beit Rabban will be cancelled
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Here’s what will CONTINUE:
- Gatherings at TBZ (classes, meetings, minyans, meditation) for UNDER 25 people
- The office and rabbis will be here to meet with you, to connect with you, and to help support you in any way possible.
- Host @ Homes Shabbat, scheduled for this weekend (March 13-14), will be at the discretion of the hosts and guests.
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Here is
what we will be doing to help all of our community at this time stay connected:
- Tomorrow (Friday March 13th), you will receive a virtual "package" of offerings in Shabbat N’kablah to celebrate Shabbat at home with TBZ. This will include a Zoom link to virtually enjoy TBZ's Kabbalat Shabbat and Havdalah, a Torah reading video, resources for Torah study, and more! We’ll offer a tutorial on how to access the videos too.
- We will continue to create and offer opportunities for virtual participation in ritual and other programs throughout this time.
- We will build a network of support for vulnerable members, particularly elders and isolated folks. We are committed to keeping our members from feeling isolated and alone and to care for those most vulnerable.
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Here is
what we are doing to keep our environment as virus-free as possible
so you can come to synagogue for the smaller meetings and programs:
- Along with the daily sanitizing of the building (bathrooms, door handles, floors, etc), we will implement a weekly “deep clean” of all surfaces including chairs, tables, phones, computers, keypads, etc throughout the building.
- All attendees at smaller programs and classes will be asked to answer simple screening questions (see below) and to sign an attendance sheet. This will allow us to track any contacts that may need follow-up should an attendee test positive in the future.
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Here is what we ask of you:
- If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, please inform our Executive Director Susan Diller, so that we know and can support you, and take measures to protect others with whom you may have come into contact.
- If you are not feeling well, let us know.
- If you are feeling isolated, reach out.
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Each week in Happenings we will announce what is up and running and what is being cancelled for the week ahead, as well as new programs that will keep us connected during this time (mostly) apart.
We are committed to continuing our joyful worship, our learning, and our connections to each other in the face of the Covid19/Coronavirus pandemic. As we have planned these cancellations and additions to our community events, we are guided by the best advice of medical and community resources, and we are inspired by the teaching of Pirkei Avot (Ethics of our Ancestors):
As Hillel says,
אִם אֵין אֲנִי לִי, מִי לִי
"If I am not for myself, who will be for me?”
We interpret this as, we have to take care of ourselves, be honest about how we are feeling, and make good decisions about joining groups that are gathering.
וּכְשֶׁאֲנִי לְעַצְמִי, מָה אֲנִי
“But if I am only for myself, who am I?”
We need to recognize that our individual actions have an impact on our greater community.
וְאִם לֹא עַכְשָׁיו, אֵימָתָי
“If not now, when?”
We want to “flatten the curve” now, and be proactive and preventative - to slow the spread of the illness and protect our community members who are potentially most vulnerable.
(See the article below)
Thank you for taking care of yourselves, taking care of each other, and remaining connected to our community in the many ways we have available. Although we may not be physically coming together in community, we can share, support and hold our community in spirit.
Rav Claudia Kreiman, Senior Rabbi
Sara Smolover, President
Susan Diller, Executive Director
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Screening questions for those coming into the TBZ building:
- Do you have cough, a fever, or shortness of breath?
- Have you traveled to a region of concern within the past two weeks? (China, Iran, South Korea, Italy, or Japan)
- Are any people in your household or any close contacts currently under investigation, surveillance, or self-quarantine for COVID-19?
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STAY CONNECTED
Rav Claudia, Senior Rabbi - ext. 11, ravclaudia@tbzbrookline.org
Reb Moshe, Founding Rabbi - ext. 12, rebmoshe@tbzbrookline.org
Rav Tiferet, Director of Congregational Learning & Programming - ext. 14, ravtiferet@tbzbrookline.org
Sara Smolover, President - president@tbzbrookline.org
Susan Diller, Executive Director - ext. 10, sdiller@tbzbrookline.org
Beth Ehrenreich, Assistant Director - ext. 17, behrenreich@tbzbrookline.org
Lindsay Eagle, Administrative Assistant - ext. 13, leagle@tbzbrookline.org or office@tbzbrookline.org
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