SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE
Dear Congregational Family,
Already three weeks ago, the province of Ontario permitted houses of worship to reopen and allow thirty percent of sanctuary seating capacity to attend.
So, why is Beth Emeth still closed? Why have some other synagogues already reopened if not fully, at least partially?
If one probes into the local landscape of synagogues, smaller buildings are easier to control in terms of disinfecting the facility, administering medical protocols, and monitoring the safety of who enters the congregation.
In some of the open synagogues, there are no other programs competing for synagogue space at the time of services. At some, services are taking place outside in the parking lot. In others, a very small pre-screened group of attendees is permitted to enter. In at least one neighboring congregation, weekday services were put on hold less than a week after being reopened.
At Beth Emeth, we were one of the first synagogues to begin holding weekday on line services. Now, four months into the closing of our shul, our Zoom/Facebook services, morning and evening, have developed a loyal following.
While I yearn for our shul to reopen, we must be certain that we do so properly. Ours is a large and old facility. Also, we share space with a child care program, which has slowly begun to reopen.
In addition, we need to clearly mark paths for entry and exit, make sure our Bimah and sanctuary space are safe for all participants, ensure clean washrooms, and more.
While we are already using Zoom and Facebook for weekday services, we are in the process of securing livestream equipment so that we can broadcast Shabbat, High Holy Day, and Festival services in accordance with Jewish Law.
Our dedicated volunteers, who are looking after many of the matters I have shared, are striving to begin having some services held in our sanctuary with small numbers during the latter part of the Summer. While a small number of people will physically attend, the late Summer services will enable us to practice the new normal in terms of livestreaming and overseeing synagogue safety and wellness, so that we can be fully functional for the High Holy Days and beyond.
A popular Western saying suggests, "Slow and steady wins the race."
Since the race at hand is for the long term well being of public Jewish life in our synagogue, we are not rushing. But we are definitely moving forward.
Until then, please continue to join us in our on line services and programs.
To children and grandchildren, if your elderly parents or grandparents do not have a computer, please honour them by visiting as often as you can and have them connect to synagogue life on the internet.
As local regulations gradually loosen up, please remain vigilant about safety and wellness.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Howard Morrison
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