|
|
|
Dear Members and Friends of Ahavath Achim Synagogue:
First, we pray that all of you are doing well. Staying home and social distancing is a challenge for all of us. We know you are up for the challenge. All of our lives are depending on it.
We wanted to let you know of some of the efforts we have made to reach out to our Sephardic community during this time of isolation. As we announced earlier, all of our in-person services at our Hillsdale location are cancelled until further notice.
KABBALAT SHABBAT VIRTUAL SERVICES: Until in-person services at the synagogue are restarted, Rabbi Levy will be offering Kabbalat Shabbat services virtually through Zoom meetings and our Facebook page starting at 6:30 pm every Friday night. Our weekly email, which is sent out on Thursdays, will give you instructions on how to access this event on your phones and computers. This will give us all time before Shabbat actually starts to use our phones and computers for prayers and words of wisdom and inspiration from our wonderful Rabbi. We started this last week and had over 200 people listen and/or watch between the two mediums.
WELLNESS/HELP CALLS: Members of our executive committee have been reaching out to members by telephone to check in and to see if there is anything they need help with. If you have not received a call from us, and there is something we can help you with, please call either Ron Sidis (503)750-0888 or Renee Ferrera (503)720-5102. We have volunteers ready to assist with shopping or running errands.
UPCOMING VIRTUAL CLASSES: Rabbi Levy is planning to give short inspirational talks and classes several times a week that you will be able to access through Zoom meetings. So far, the schedule is as follows.
All are set for 8:15 pm.
Sunday, March 29, A Crash Course on Running your own Passover Seder, with Rabbi Levy and Meira Spivak
Tuesday, March 31, How to stay sane in these crazy times, with Rabbi Levy and Aviel Brodkin;
Wednesday, April 1, How to check for bugs, with Rabbis Levy and Tuvia Berzow;
Thursday, April 2, The Haggadah in Depth with Rabbi Levy.
Zoom meeting instructions will be sent out shortly, and will be a part of each weekly Congregation email.
UPCOMING VIRTUAL PROGRAMS: Eve Levy is working on programs she can run using Zoom meetings also. Last Saturday night she held a successful online “Wine at Nine” get together to help us all overcome some of the isolation we may be feeling. More of this will be forthcoming.
AHAVATH ACHIM COVID 19 EMERGENCY FUND: We know there are many of you who will be facing difficult financial issues as a result of the impact of the Covid 19 virus. To assist with this, our Congregation has established a special Covid 19 emergency fund. If you would like to donate to this fund, please go to our website AhavathAchim.com, and go to the “donate” tab. There you will find instructions for donating by sending a check, using a credit card or through Paypal. Please be sure to label your donation for the Covid 19 Emergency Fund.
If you find yourself needing some financial help, this fund is there for you. Please contact either Ron Sidis or Renee Ferrera at the telephone numbers or email addresses below to get the ball rolling.
IPADS FOR ELDERLY: We have several elderly members who are at the Rose Schnitzer Manor and are pretty isolated in their rooms. Rabbi Levy has suggested that if we could find three iPad tablets that folks may have but are no longer using, he would be able to modify them so that the only programs on the tablets would allow the residents to communicate online. This would take out the complexity of using a tablet, which most would need. If you have an extra iPad tablet you are not using and are willing to donate, please email Rabbi Levy at rabbig@ahavathachim.com to arrange pickup.
It looks like things are going to be tough for several weeks. If we all work together, we can overcome this plague. Our blessings for an easy confinement.
Congregation Ahavath Achim Co-Presidents
Renee Ferrera Ronald Sidis
pdxrenee@aol.com ron.sidis@comcast.net
503-720-5102 503-750-0888
Congregation Ahavath Achim is a welcoming synagogue with programs and events for members of all ages. We offer weekly classes, cultural and educational programs, as well as prayer services every Shabbat and Holiday.
“Congregation Ahavath Achim is exactly what my family and I were looking for and needed. The atmosphere made us right away feel as if we were part of the family”.
