Page 13 - Jewish News_August-2020

COMMUNITY FOCUS August 2020 13

Area synagogues...continued from previous page
vices and programming due to the perishable food all summer long. A even bedtime stories online to keep our According to Segal, while some Steinmetz said. “However, when we
Coronavirus. designated bin is outside the temple’s community connected and safe.” funerals have been conducted in person started reopening with restrictions,
“Our board and lay leadership front entrance. The temple also created a Mem- with small groups (and others Zooming some members were opposed to those
quickly decided to move our services “Many of our members have told bers 2 Members program to ensure that in), all other programs are now virtual. restrictions, due to the mix of informa-
and programs online, in step with con-us how much it means to them that we all members receive phone calls and The response from the congregants has tion that is out there today,” he said.
gregations locally and nationally. We have created a way to stay connected whatever else they might need from been very positive. “Eighty-eight per- “My biggest personal challenge
have been offering a daily minyan, our as a community, to each other and to Temple Emanu-El. Plans for High cent say they are
Judaism,” Calaguas said. Regarding Holidays are in motion, and will be an- very happy with
the High Holidays, the Board of Direc- nounced shortly. the offerings and
tors and COVID-19 Taskforce contin- TEMPLE SINAI feel connected to
ue to monitor and evaluate the situation Temple Sinai moved very quickly in Sinai,” Segal said.
closely. The safety and health of the response to the pandemic, according With the High
congregation remains the top prior- to Risa Segal, head of communication, Holidays falling
ity, and this will determine the date of development and graphic design. A in September this
resumption of religious services, pro- few of the ways in which it responded year, Segal said
grams and social events. included a virtual welcome reception plans are still a A screenshot of a Chabad of Sarasota virtual program
TEMPLE EMANU-EL every Friday before service; Shabbat work in progress, but most likely will throughout this has been the sense
Christine Elliott, Executive Director in a Box (for purchase and given to remain virtual, due to the health im- of uncertainty about what tomorrow
of Temple Emanu-El, noted that con- those in need); a virtual mental health plications of gathering and singing holds regarding life and the entire uni-
necting and supporting members is the support group; a virtual clergy coffee in public. Plans will be announced verse. As a community leader, I find
temple’s highest priority. “To safely shortly. the lack of social interaction contrib-
regular Friday and Saturday Shabbat serve our congregation, we quickly CHABAD LUBAVITCH utes to this.”
services, holiday services, and multiple moved all of our services and a multi- OF SARASOTA & Chabad Lubavitch of Sarasota &
classes and presentations, all virtually tude of programs to online platforms,” MANATEE COUNTIES Manatee Counties is making plans
via Zoom. This also includes the adver-she said. To be proactive in the for the High Holidays in September.
tising and ordering of our popular take- Utilizing livestreaming, Facebook face of the health pan- “There will be in-person services with
out Shabbat meals. We have shortened and Zoom, services were moved from demic, Chabad Lubavitch proper restrictions, including wearing
our Saturday Shabbat services slightly, the bimah to the rabbis’ homes. “Our of Sarasota & Manatee masks at all times and keeping a dis-
though they still keep their traditional annual meeting, Seders, Shavuot night Counties closed its doors tance between each person,” he said.
feel and have been very well received to physical activities CHABAD OF BRADENTON
by the congregation,” Calaguas said. starting Sunday, March AND LAKEWOOD RANCH
Currently, TBS offers a daily morn- 15. According to Rabbi According to Rabbi Mendy Bukiet of
ing minyan from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m., Fri- Rabbi Samantha Kahn and Chazzan Cliff Abramson Chaim Steinmetz, “At the Chabad of Bradenton and Lakewood
day night services starting at 6:30 p.m., at Temple Sinai’s drive-by graduation same time, we emphasized Ranch, on-site services closed down
and Saturday morning service starting talk; partnering with other congre- participation in all of our programs and everything became virtual as soon
at 10:00 a.m. gations (for example, partnering on virtually through Zoom. We have of- as the seriousness of the situation be-
The continuing education commit- Yom Ha’Atzmaut with Beit Daniel fered, and still do offer, daily morning came clear.
tee has a mini-series called “Staying in Israel, and partnering with various services and Torah classes, virtually. In “Hebrew school and all of our
Connected.” Each program is 45 min- The Levys enjoy Temple Emanu-El’s services guest speakers for sermons, includ- addition, our preschool offered daily classes went online,” Rabbi Mendy ex-
utes long on a different topic. via the Zoom platform ing local pastors Kelvin Lumpkin and interactive virtual time with teachers, plained. “We even added some classes
Weekly, homemade, fully kosher of Jewish study, Mitzvah Day, and John Walker); virtual adult-education and men’s and women’s group activi- to our programming.” Chabad focused
Shabbat meals are available for curb-even our Blessing of the Animals were classes; daily offerings for young fami- ties also all became virtual. We added on helping its congregants with their
side pickup. All meals are $12 and can held via Zoom,” she explained. “Reli- lies through The Gan; religious school several new virtual activities to con- immediate needs – emotional support,
be ordered via the TBS website, where gious school, confirmation class, Par- and Hebrew school, including tutor- nect with community members in dif- food, medicine and the like.
the menus are available, as well. At the ent and Me, Tot Shabbat and preschool ing, offered online; virtual services and ferent ways. “For the last few weeks, we have
same time, the congregation is run-activities also went virtual. We started holiday celebrations; the membership “We strived to educate our been holding our services outdoors at
ning a food drive where people may an array of classes, social interactions, committee and the board making regu- members to understand the risks in- our Jewish Center. People have to reg-
drop off donations of canned and non- film screenings, discussion groups, lar calls to check in with every congre- volved in meeting in person, so at first ister to attend so we can trace who is
educational groups for all ages and gant. there was 100 percent support,” Rabbi continued on next page

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