One year and two months. That’s how long our building has been (mostly) closed for events and services as we have kept our community safe from spreading the pandemic, while making sure that families could still meaningfully celebrate life cycles.
Now, with the vaccination rates increasing in our county, our board of directors and I are eager to reopen our building thoughtfully. It is time. We all need each other.
Here’s what you can look forward to this coming month:
Our first event for adults will be a leisurely hike on Shavuot. Join us at Weisner woods on Monday, May 17 at 5pm.
Earlier that day, come meet me at JCOGS for a schmooze, just you and me, to reconnect and to reflect. If you are in need of rabbinic counsel, or just a listening ear, contact eortiz@jcogs.org to schedule an appointment, or to find another date that works better.
Friday night services are back in person on May 21, where we will meet under the lights in our new big tent! We know not everyone will be able to participate in person, and our Zoom Shabbat experience will still be available for those who prefer to join remotely.
We have two intimate Kibbitz schmoozing opportunities coming up on June 5 at 5pm and June 9 at 7pm. I hope you’ll join for one of these. Stay tuned.
Beth has been in touch with all of our Olam Chesed Education Center programs, as they each meet for end-of-the-school-year individual gatherings. In addition, we have upcoming Mitzvah celebrations where families get to celebrate with those closest to them, both in person and through Zoom.
How will we do all of this safely? We will be meeting in our new tent for the majority of these events and services, numbers will be capped, RSVPs will be required for each event, and we will practice social distancing with masks up. A special thank you to our board and to Amy Wenger, our JCOGS board appointed health and safety officer for guiding our community towards a safe reopening.
Finally, Shavuot is one of our pilgrimage festivals where our ancestors brought their first fruits to the Temple in Jerusalem. As we offer our gratitude for reopening, your tikkun olam committee invites you to bring your own thanksgiving offering to our temple: a donation of much needed goods for the Capstone Community Action’s Essentials Closet. Show up to an upcoming event with laundry detergent, toothpaste, baby wipes, cleaning supplies, disinfectant, and/or paper towels. Let us be grateful that, G-d willing, we have passed through the worst of this pandemic as we usher in this new chapter.
Tihiyu bri’im, stay safe, be well. Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi David
p.s. If you did not have a chance to see my remarks on the tragedy that took place in northern Israel on Lag baOmer, you can watch here. Our hearts continue to go out to the families affected.
