Dear CBO Family,
As the news of the Corona Virus (COVID-19) unfolds, we continue to update our own response. As a community, we continue to make safety our number one priority while we make decisions about how we are moving forward. We have made significant modifications to the way we celebrate Shabbat, Hebrew school, our youth, and approach celebrations.
Please understand that we may take additional preventive measures to stem the spread of COVID-19 when appropriate to the changing environment.
General policies within the synagogue:
o People with compromised immune systems and the elderly should stay
home. As such, all of our Hazak programs have been canceled for the next 2
weeks. This includes Game Day and Exercise Classes.
o Anyone who is ill or suspects that they could be ill should not enter the
building.
Shabbat Services
While we implement important modifications, we will have Shabbat services this week. Please refer to the calendar or call the office for future Shabbat services.
o Men’s club will lead services this Shabbat and we will host an Aufruf for
James Nachamkin and Melissa Tallis.
o We suggest that people maintain social distance and not sit close to one another in
the pews or during Kiddush.
o There should be no kissing, no touching, no fist-bumping or hugging. People should
refrain from kissing the Mezuzot, the siddurim, and the Torah. Handwipes will be
available for your to disinfect the siddurim
o We encourage people to bring their own Tallitot.
o Kiddush: We continue to eat this seudah (meal) together. We are bringing in
additional staff to serve us lunch. We have confirmed with our caterers that they are
upholding standards of health safety. All of our staff will be gloved and attendees will
not be serving themselves.
Hebrew School:
o We are following Bellmore and Merrick school districts’ school participation policy.
As long as the public schools remain open, there will be Hebrew school.
o We ask that if teachers or students are sick, they stay home. We respect the decision
of anyone who prefers to not attend HS.
o As of now the Dalet service on March 21 will continue. We ask that families limit the
guests that they bring to the service.
o If a child appears ill, we will be taking their temperature and may send them home.
o We will have Jr. Congregation.
Food Pantry
Growing concerns during this difficult time has strained the essential food supply of local supermarkets, drug stores and wholesale clubs. The Food Pantry is relied upon by less fortunate people throughout our community. The Food Pantry will remain open and continue to serve the needs of the community. The Food Pantry is open on Mondays and Thursdays from 10:00am to 12:00pm. During this time please consider making a monetary or food donation (non-perishable dry goods only).
While we attend to the physical health of our community, we are also cognizant of the emotional isolation which is taking place. We read that the broken luchot (tablets) which Moshe destroys in our Parsha are kept with the whole luchot in the ark. We don't just discard things that are sacred to us simply because they have a few cracks. We carry along those who are most vulnerable. Those who have self quarantined, especially those who live alone, are experiencing not only the fear of contracting COVID-19 but also dealing with the disconnection from the world. In the words of Rabbi Yosef Kanesfky, Bnai David-Judea, “Every hand that we don’t shake must become a phone call that we place. Every embrace that we avoid must become a verbal expression of warmth and concern. Every inch and every foot that we physically place between ourselves and another must become thought as to how we might be of help to that other, should the need arise.” Please touch base with anyone who you think may be experiencing significant social isolation. Call the office or email Rabbi Bernstein or Cantor Kowitz. (Rabbi.Bernstein@cbohr.org, Cantor.Kowitz@cbohr.org) to do a check in. We want to hear from you and be there for you.
We continue to ask people to use good judgment in the decisions they make regarding attending events and staying home when they might be sick.
May you and your loved ones be healthy and safe. Please check-in for further updates.
Shabbat Shalom,
Bruce Nelson, President
Dahlia Bernstein, Rabbi
