Health and Synagogue Updates
V’nishmartem me’od l’nafshoteichem – “you must surely take care of yourselves.” Jewish tradition teaches that we have a sacred responsibility to take care of ourselves and to take care of each other.
Below is the latest information and updates on Beth Shalom events and progams, amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Please check this page regularly for the most up to date information.
Many of our offerings will take place via Zoom, a video conferencing program. Visit this page for the basics of getting started with Zoom. If you do not have access to the internet or wifi, please contact Carol Benedick and we will do our best to help.
Religious Services
There are no in-person services until further notice. This includes Shabbat services, Kabbalat Shabbat, weekday minyanim, and Passover services. The date we resume depends on recommendations and requirements from the Health Department and state of Washington. In the meantime, we have the following opportunities for online connection with our community:
- Daily Minyan Online. We will resume our daily minyanim at their usual times (weekdays at 7am, Monday evenings at 7:30pm, and Sundays at 9:30am) on Zoom. Contact Melani Baker for the Zoom meeting invitation. For Congregation Beth Shalom’s guidelines for participating in virtual minyanim, click here. Please note that because of Shavuot, we won’t have virtual Friday morning minyan on May 29.
- Virtual Kabbalat Shabbat. Fridays, 6:00-7:00pm. Join us for a virtual Kabbalat Shabbat experience on Zoom! We’ll prepare to welcome Shabbat with the melodious Kabbalat Shabbat service (including Mourner’s Kaddish), with a few words of Torah from Rabbi Rose. If you can, please bring your candlesticks and matches — we’ll conclude with lighting Shabbat candles and then wishing each other Shabbat Shalom while admiring the flickering flames. You’re welcome to bring a siddur, too, but we’ll also have the words of the siddur available on screen. Please contact Rabbi Rose for the Zoom invitation. Please note that because of Shavuot, we won’t have virtual Kabbalat Shabbat on May 29.
Rabbi Rose will continue to send messages on Fridays offering words of Torah and updated information on preparing for Shabbat. Please check out the Rabbi’s Corner for the latest.
Shavuot
Join the CBS community in celebrating Shavuot and our greatest gift — learning.
- Thursday, May 28th at 7:00am. Morning minyan will include reciting of Yizkor. Contact Melani Baker for the Zoom meeting invitation.
- Thursday, May 28th, 5:45pm-8:30pm. Our virtual community learning offers a choice of subjects and experiences, from rugelach baking to Talmud study to an exploration of God and politics in the prayer Shoshanat Yaakov. Learn more here.
- Continue learning on your own all night! You can sign up for free with Project Zug and their courses on Rabbinic literature, prayer & spirituality, art & culture, and more. Contact Melani Baker for the free registration code for CBS members, then visit https://www.projectzug.org/ and sign up by Sunday 5/24 to access course materials before Shavuot. We will also make available hard copy materials for one of Project Zug’s courses, Rumors of Revelation, at CBS for socially-distant pickup at the front door.
- Sunday, May 31st at 11:00am. Megillat Ruth Reading. We usually chant the book of Ruth on Shavuot; join us virtually to hear this beautiful story chanted the day after Shavuot, on Sunday, 5/31 at 11am. Please contact Rabbi Rose for the Zoom invitation.
Lifecycle
Information about Lifecycle events during the COVID-19 pandemic can be found here. If you have additional questions or concerns about lifecycle events at this time, please contact Heidi Piel, our Lifecycle Coordinator
Early Childhood Center
The ECC is currently closed, following the Seattle Public School District’s decision to close schools to stop the spread of COVID-19. Please contact Leah Lemchen with questions.
Religious School
The Religious School has moved to online learning on Tuesdays and Sundays. Please contact Rachel Wachtel for more information.
Adult Education
Please contact Melani Baker with any adult education questions. All classes are held online at this time.
Join Harvey Niebulski, Marianne Tatom, and friends on Sunday afternoons at 2 pm via Zoom as we together explore the weekly parsha using the fascinating and extraordinary Yiddish translation of Yehoash crafted nearly a century ago. No previous Yiddish knowledge required, and all texts will be provided virtually. Please contact Marianne Tatom to receive a meeting invitation to our virtual “beys medrash.” This class is offered free of charge, and Zoom registration is also free.
Explore the Yiddish of Fiddler on the Roof
Sundays, 6/7, 6/14 and 6/21, from 4-5:30pm
A fiddler on the roof – meshuge, neyn? Beginning as a set of Yiddish stories by Sholem Aleichem first published in 1894, then being immortalized both in film and on stage, Tevye and his daughters have enchanted audiences young and old. Join Marianne Tatom to take a close look at the recent Yiddish off-Broadway production of “Fidler afn Dakh,” which ran for over a year to sold-out audiences. What makes the story so poignant to today’s audiences, even in translation? All materials will be provided in transliteration; no previous Yiddish experience necessary. Class is free of charge. Contact Melani Baker for the Zoom invitation.
Learning Sephardic Kabbalat Shabbat
Tuesdays, June 9 and 30, 7:30-8:30pm
Ari Alhadeff-who has led our Sephardic Kabbalat Shabbat services in the past-is continuing his series on Sephardic melodies for Friday night services. Join us for this session whether or not you’ve attended in the past! You will get the most out of this class by listening to and practicing the melodies beforehand. Please RSVP for June 9 or June 30 to receive the Zoom invitation and recordings of the service to familiarize yourself with before class. This class is appropriate for those wishing to participate in the tefillah, as well as those who might be interested in leading services in the future. Contact Melani Baker with any questions.
Resources for Online Learning and Events
Many organizations are making Jewish teachings and events available online during this time. Here is a list of resources that Beth Shalom is aware of.
Financial Concerns during the COVID-19 Pandemic
The King County Council has compiled a list of resources available for people experiencing financial difficulty because of the coronavirus: FinancialHelpCovid19-3.16.20
Free Counseling Available
Some of our CBS members who are mental health professionals are offering their services for free during this time. Are you facing challenges with children, relationships, or isolation? Do you want to talk, or are you interested in tools to help? Contact Melani Baker with any questions or to get matched with a mental health professional for free.
Gemilut Chasadim (Acts of Lovingkindness)
One of the most important things we can do in these times is take care of others.
- Call (or text) one person each day who you think might need extra support or a friendly ear.
- Check in on your neighbors. If you do not know them, this is a great time to start!
- Email Rabbi Rose if you or someone you know needs help – obtaining medicine or food, for instance — or would like pastoral care, either over the phone or computer.
