Dear Friends,

As part of our evolving response to COVID-19, we have decided to suspend our daily Minyan, and Shabbat services. We have reached this decision in consultation with other synagogue communities, medical professionals, and Halachaik (Jewish Legal) experts. This will be in effect through the month of March, and will be re-evaluated there after.

I want to encourage all of those looking for traditional prayer services to pray at home. Despite being unable to be together in our sacred space, I want to let you know about opportunities that Tifereth Israel is providing for us to come together as a community, pray together, and support one another during this challenging and uncertain time.

We know this new to so many of us. Need help with ZOOM or Facebook Live? Click here.

Morning Minyan:

Sunday through Friday, beginning at 9:30 a.m., we will hold a communal prayer opportunity on Zoom. You will have the option of joining by video or phone. During our virtual gathering, Cantor Leberman and I will share some words of Torah and reflection. We will recite the Mi Shebeirach for the Cholim, a prayer for those who are in need of healing. We will also recite a Mourner’s Prayer, which was composed by the Rabbinic Assembly. The Mourner’s Prayer is in place of the Mourner’s Kaddish, and for situations where we are unable to gather for a Minyan. Click here to access the prayer.

Click here to join our Morning Minyan.

Daf Yomi, an hour of daily learning, begins at 8:30 a.m. Everyone is invited to join the discussion using the Morning Minyan Zoom link above.

Welcoming Shabbat:

At 6:00 p.m. on Friday Evening, Stephanie, Nadav, Ziva and I invite you to join us, virtually, into our home as our family lights Shabbat Candles, recites Shabbat blessings, and sings a Shabbat Song together. Click the titles to access the Home Blessing and Children’s Blessing that we’ll be sharing. This will be streamed live on the TIS Facebook page or you may join us through ZOOM.

Kabbalat Shabbat:

From 6:15 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday evening we will live-stream our Kabbalat Shabbat services on our TIS Facebook page as well as through ZOOM.

Each week, I will still be delivering a sermon. It will be uploaded onto our Synagogue’s youtube channel prior to Shabbat, (which can be found here) and a link will be included in the Shabbat e-mail that we send out every week. You’ll also find it on our TIS Facebook page.

Havdalah

Join us as the Dorsch family leads us all in Havdalah. We invite everyone to join us beginning at 7:45 p.m. on Saturday evenings. Join us on Zoom. Password: 521354

Traditional Live-streaming Options:

For those looking for more traditional daily Minyan and Shabbat services, click here for a listing of synagogue offering live stream options.

None of this is ideal. But the strength in our community lies in the way in which we continue to connect with one another and support each other through this global health pandemic. As always, I am available should you need to talk, please do not hesitate to call or send me an e-mail.

Being there (even virtually) for each other:

Please stay at home. Due to social distancing, if you find yourself in need of assistance in any way, from grocery shopping and food delivery, to just someone to talk to, please let me know. If you are willing to provide services and help those in our community who may be more limited because they are most vulnerable, please reach out to me as well.

It is during uncertain and challenging times like this that we need our community most. I assure you that we will continue to be there for one another as we navigate this time together.

May this be a time of health, of reflection, and of rejuvenation for all of us.

B’Shalom,

Rabbi Josh Dorsch

To view the TIS response to COVID 19, click here.

Need any technical assistance? Click here.