Dear Mount Zion Community,
Our last letter was on March 16, which was either days ago or weeks ago. Time is feeling different for all of us and the uncertainty of our future weighs us down.
During this period, we are working hard to keep our Mount Zion community vibrant and connected in creative ways like “Afternoon Tea with MZ” gatherings, cooking demonstrations, daily services and weekly Havdalah ceremonies from our homes, Shabbat and Festival services via Zoom and Facebook, Religious School classes, book readings, song sessions and youth activities, Passover videos and resources, and study groups. Some of our services have reached over 1,000 congregants and friends, and members from around the country are participating in our study groups. Our Caring Community is coordinating support for those in need. Our Shomrim (security volunteers) are walking the perimeter of our Temple daily to make sure everything is ok. Our building staff is working on special projects, and our administrative staff is transitioning us to a new database to help us connect even more effectively. At the same time, B’nei Mitzvah celebrations have been postponed, and funerals and shivas are being conducted remotely through Zoom. These are challenging days.
This letter is to inform you that we will continue to take direction from Governor Walz and the Minnesota Department of Health. We are in a “Stay at Home Order” through May 4
th
. Based on the experiences of other states, it is likely that this order will be extended and, even if it is not, large group activities will not be permitted for some time. Therefore, we are making the decision to cancel all in-person group activities and services through the end of May. This decision continues to prioritize
pikuach nefesh -
saving lives - and keeping us safe and healthy to the degree we can.
This decision is not easy for any of us. It means that Religious School will not be completed in person, Chai School Graduation and Confirmation will not happen in an ideal way, and our connections to each other will have to continue via computer or phone. Thank God we have the technologies we do to stay in relationship.
We will be in touch as we have with specifics for each service and event. In the meantime, our prayers are with you for your health, safety, and strength. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need our support.
Our tradition teaches us to count each day from Pesach to Shavuot, a way of keeping our sights high as we move forward. In that counting, today is the eighth day. May it be a blessed day.
Shabbat shalom,
Michael Kuhne, President
Adam Stock Spilker, Rabbi
Esther Adler, Rabbi
Jennifer Strauss-Klein, Cantor
Rachel Stock Spilker, Cantor
Larry Solomon, Executive Director
Sue Summit, Religious School Director
Shai Avny, Congregational Engagement Director
