Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

A week and a half ago, our synagogue reopened its doors for Shabbat and Festival morning services. This past weekend, we had a Minyan and a total of approximately twenty people on Shabbat and the first two days of Pesach. Present in the synagogue, we had more than ten men, a few women, and some grown children as well. I am grateful to all who chose to attend in person. In addition, I am grateful to the over one hundred households who continue to join us on Shabbat and Festival mornings on our livestream.

Because of health and safety requirements, it is imperative that all pre-registrants come to shul on time. Our services begin promptly at 9:30AM. Some of the attendees came in later. As a result, we had to skip the opening Kaddish recitations and the Borchu, which initiates the Shacharit service.

Starting this weekend with the last two days of Pesach, pre-registrants are encouraged to enter the synagogue at 9:15AM so that they are settled in their assigned seats when we begin at 9:30AM. For security purposes, the entrance to the synagogue will be locked at 9:45AM, after which time no-one will be permitted to enter the synagogue. Once in the synagogue, attendees are requested to stay in their seats, to follow the marked arrows when returning to their seats from the Bima or front of the sanctuary, to exit the sanctuary only for the use of washrooms or an emergency, and to follow the marked arrows for directions in and out of the sanctuary and the building.

It was meaningful to have a complete traditional service over the first two days of Pesach. We look forward to more of the same moving forward.

I wish everyone continued safety and wellbeing.

Chag Sameach,

Rabbi Howard Morrison