Civilian’s Guide to West Point with Alan Zarrow — Recording
Thank you for joining Brotherhood for our virtual lecture with Alan Zarrow on West Point! The recording is viewable above.
Features
HIAS Session with Cynthia Groomes Katz — Recording
Thanks for joining us for the HIAS program in March. The recording of the event is viewable below.
In-person services resume 3/4/22
At the March Board of Trustees meeting, the Board voted to amend the temple’s mask policy. Masks will now be optional in our building. This is a personal choice and if you wish to continue wearing a mask, please feel free to do so.
We are continuing to require full vaccination in order to attend activities in our building. Children younger than 5 are exempt from this requirement.
This change in policy follows extensive discussion among the Reopening Committee, Executive Board, Board of Trustees and Rabbi Hoover and Rabbi Pinsky. Most public venues and businesses across the city have relaxed their COVID protocols in response to declining infection rates. While the BA.2 subvariant has been gaining ground in the U.S., transmission in most New York City communities remains very low. And for those who do test positive for COVID, serious illness is rare among vaccinated people. As of March 29th, the most recent date for which statistics are available, only four people in Brooklyn were hospitalized for COVID.
Please note that we will continue to monitor the recommendations of city, state, and federal agencies and will revisit the temple’s COVID policies if necessary.
We will continue to offer a virtual option for those who cannot or would prefer not to attend temple activities in person. We are happy to have you in whatever manner you choose to join us, and we appreciate your presence and support.
If you have any questions or concerns about the amended policy, feel free to reach out to me at president@bshert.org or to Phyllis Schweiger, Reopening Committee Chair, at ps1003@aol.com.
Best,
Adrienne Knoll
President, B’ShERT
Phyllis Schweiger
Chair, Reopening Committee
——– March update below ——–
Dear B’ShERT Family,
We are pleased and excited to be able to resume in-person Shabbat Services beginning Friday, March 4th at 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 5th at 11:45 a.m. All services will continue to be multi-access for those who prefer to participate via Zoom or YouTube.
In-person Religious School will resume on Saturday, March 5th at 9 45 a.m.
For those who have been missing their Entenmann’s fix, we will begin to use the Community Room again for our post-Shabbat services onegs.
Additionally, we will begin making the banquet hall available in April for use by our congregation and for rentals by temple members only. We are opting to reopen the banquet hall because of the sharp decline in COVID infections citywide. No ventilation upgrades have been made.
Please note that while we are resuming some pre-Omicron activities, all COVID guidelines will continue to be observed.
Proof of vaccination (including boosters, if eligible) is required for anyone entering the temple building. That includes members and all guests. For those who have not been inside our temple since before the pandemic, make sure to bring your proof of vaccination with you or send a copy to the office where it can be logged prior to your attendance.
Masks (KN95 or N95 suggested) must be worn at all times when in the building, except while eating or drinking.
Changes may be made to this scheduling as needed.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Phyllis Schweiger, our Reopening Committee Chair, at ps1003@aol.com, or Adrienne Knoll, temple president, at president@bshert.org.
We look forward to seeing you.
Best,
Phyllis Schweiger
Chair, Reopening Committee
Adrienne Knoll
President, B’ShERT
original post below:
We hope you all are well and staying safe. As we approach the secular new year, we wanted to make sure that you’re aware of the following temporary adjustments to how we worship and learn together:
All Friday night services, including this Friday (December 31st), will take place on Zoom only at 8 p.m. This change will continue through the first week in March, coinciding with Rabbi Hoover’s return from sabbatical. (Please note that poetry study will be held this Friday at 7 p.m. but will then be suspended until March.)
All Saturday services through the end of January will take place at 11 a.m. on Zoom.
Rabbi Pinsky will be leading Friday and Saturday services during Rabbi Hoover’s sabbatical.
When Religious School returns from break on January 4th, classes will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Zoom through at least the end of January.
In mid-January, the Reopening Committee will re-evaluate the COVID data and decide whether Religious School and Saturday services can safely resume in-person in February.
B’Yachad will continue to take place on Zoom every Saturday at 10 a.m.
In addition to these changes, we have formalized a number of COVID protocols and notification procedures for anyone who enters our building, including members, guests, and staff. Some of these protocols, such as mandatory mask-wearing and required proof of vaccination, have been in place in our temple for some time. Others are common-sense protocols that most of us have encountered in our workplace, in medical offices and in other venues.
- Face coverings must be worn in the building at all times.
- Proof of full vaccination is required.That includes a booster for all who are eligible.
- Stay home if you are not well.
- Notify the temple office by phone AND email if you or your child have been in the building and then test positive for COVID. (We are requiring both phone and email to ensure that we receive the message promptly even when the Temple office is closed.) The date of the positive COVID test must be provided when reporting the case to the office.
- We will notify the congregation when a positive case is reported. A decision regarding logistical changes to Shabbat Services or Religious School will be made following consultation with the rabbis and temple leadership.
- Anyone who has tested positive for COVID must supply proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than one day before returning to the synagogue.
We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work together to keep our community safe. Here’s to a healthy, safe and less perilous 2022 for all of us.
Best,
Adrienne Knoll
President, B’ShERT
Phyllis Schweiger
Chair, Reopening Committee
Service Schedule for the end of 2021
Please note that services on 12/24 & 12/25 will be Zoom only; the building will be closed.
Services on 12/31 and 1/1 will also be Zoom-only.
You can always call or email the office for schedule confirmation!
Community Candle Lighting TONIGHT 12/5
The Membership Committee of B’ShERT cordially invites you to our inaugural Community Menorah Lighting TODAY, Sunday, December 5 at 5:30 p.m. This event will be held in person and outdoors.
Join us in front of our Temple building at 83 Marlborough Road as we light our community’s large hanukkiah, or Hanukkah menorah. This year, we will be celebrating the 8th and final night of Hanukkah together.
We’ll sing the blessings together before the menorah is lit and we’ll end with a few songs. We hope you will invite your friends, family, and neighbors to join us for this short program. We plan to hold this event rain or shine, and in case of rain, we will have tents set up.
While the community candle lighting will not be shared live online, we will be having a separate 8th Night menorah lighting on Zoom at 7 pm tonight for those who cannot join us in person.
For the safety of our entire community, masks are required for this event.
Giving Tuesday 2021
Giving Tuesday is 11/30 — your support is deeply appreciated! Click the post below or go straight to Facebook to donate.
(Of course, your support is welcome 365 days a year via bshert.org/support)
Sukkot Across The Pond 2021
Thanks for joining us for the Sukkot Across the Pond event in September 2021 with the Jewish community of Cork! Full recording is below.
Religious School Update — 9/24/21
Dear B’ShERT Parents and Families,
I, along with our staff and teachers are so thrilled to welcome our students back to in-person Religious School on September 25th!
I hope that your High Holy Day season has been meaningful and rejuvenating, and we can’t wait to continue the holiday festivities with our opening day Family Sukkot Celebration. As we look toward our 2021-2022 Religious School year, I wanted to send you some information and updates. This note is packed with important information, so please make sure to read all the way through!
We are cautiously moving forward with plans to hold Religious School in person this Fall. As mentioned, our opening day will be Saturday, September 25th with a welcome back family Sukkot celebration, and then lessons will officially begin on Saturday, October 2rd. Our Religious School day will run from 9:45am – 11:30am. Please see the attached link for our B’ShERT 2021-2022 Religious School Dates and calendar!
Safety:
With the safety of our community as our number one priority, our Religious School Committee has been working in conjunction with B’ShERT’s Reopening Committee as well as the temple’s Security Committee to come up with the safest plan for how to move forward this Fall. Our COVID protocols are as follows:
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All staff will be fully vaccinated
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Students 12+ must be vaccinated (As vaccination expands, this will likely extend to younger students as well)
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All students and staff are required to wear a mask during B’ShERT programming, regardless of vaccination status
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(We will have extra adult and child-sized masks on-site, but ask you to send your student with a mask of their own that they are comfortable in)
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Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes will be widely available in all religious school spaces
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Each classroom will be equipped with large air purifiers that have HEPA filters as well as UV-light technology
We will continue to update these policies, and keep you informed as new information or recommendations come to light.
Registration:
If you have not yet registered for Religious School, the time is now! Please note that you will need to fill out a separate form for each of your children (we have streamlined the registration form to make it more user friendly).
To register, visit this link (https://forms.gle/
Hebrew Instruction:
Enrollment for students in 3rd-7th grades includes weekday Hebrew lessons. Hebrew instruction takes place “chevruta” style, a partnered model where 2 students of a similar level are paired with a teacher for private online instructional lessons. Follow this link (https://forms.gle/
Spread the word!
If you know anyone who might be interested in registering for our 2021-2022 school year, please feel free to pass on this information. You will also find a link to registration on our B’ShERT website bshert.org.
B’Shalom,
Rabbi Alexis Pinsky
B’ShERT Reopening: Update 9/24/21
Dear B’ShERT Community,
We are happy to announce that multi-access Shabbat Services—meaning both in-person and on Zoom—will be resuming Friday, September 24, 2021 at 8 PM. Religious School will be reopening in person on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 9:45 AM.
Here are some of the details you need for this new beginning to run as smoothly as possible:
This Saturday only (9/25), Shabbat services will be on Zoom only so that congregants can participate in the 1 PM “Jews Across the Pond” event on Zoom.
On subsequent Saturdays, multi-access Minyan services will begin at 11:45 AM. Congregants will use the Marlborough Road entrance.
B’Yachad will continue on Zoom only on Saturday mornings from 10 to 11 AM.
Friday night poetry discussions will continue on Zoom only, but they will be from 6:30 to 7:30 PM (note the new time) to allow congregants time to get to temple for services.
This Saturday’s Religious School opening and services will take place outdoors, weather permitting. On subsequent Saturdays, Religious School will use the regular Marlborough Road entrance but will exit through the back of the sanctuary onto Church Avenue.
Each classroom will have air purifiers with HEPA filters.
The Saturday Religious School Tefilah Service is scheduled from 11 to 11:30 AM after instruction time (9:45 to 11 AM).
The following protocols continue to be in place:
Masks must be worn at all times while in the building and cover the mouth and nose.
Proof of vaccination is required for all who are currently eligible. No entry without proof.
Proof will be checked at the door. Congregants and children are encouraged to send a copy of their card to the office so a list can be generated.
If a congregant or child does not feel well, DO NOT come to in-person classes or services.
Your safety and the health of our community continues to be a priority. We hope to be able to continue with the re-opening plans described in this communication, but may need to make changes in the future.
We are looking forward to seeing everyone and wish all a safe, happy and healthy New Year.
Phyllis Schweiger (Chairperson) and the Re-opening Committee
Adrienne Knoll, President B’ShERT
Passover at B’ShERT: 2nd Night Community Seder + 7th Night Virtual Women’s Seder
April 6, 2022 by miketrose • Features Tags: pesach, seder •
Please join us for our Pesach celebrations this year on 4/16 and 4/21!
Saturday, April 16, 2022
6:00 pm
All meals are kosher for Passover
Adults $75 – Children 13 & under $36
(checks made payable to B’ShERT or register online here)
Your payment holds your reservation — RSVP by April 13th