Temple Emanu-El – Coronavirus Update – 3/13/2020

Dear TEE members and friends,

The Talmudic rabbis taught, “One who saves a life, it is as if they have saved an entire world.” It is in this spirit that we are suspending all in-person group activities at Temple Emanu-El for the foreseeable future.

Coronavirus has come to our area and we want to protect the health and wellbeing of our community. Numerous science and health sources are urging organizations to be proactive and cancel group activities for several reasons. First, individuals can have the virus and be contagious without having symptoms, so even if we ask folks who don’t feel well to stay home, there’s still a risk of exposure. The CDC encourages people who are 60 or older or who have respiratory issues to socially isolate themselves. Additionally, infection from the virus has been growing exponentially, overwhelming medical resources and threatening care for those with non-virus related emergencies. For that reason, experts are asking that, to try to slow down the growth of the disease in the area, we should stay home if possible, even if it seems that there is a low risk of contracting the virus.

For these reasons, and because we’d rather be safe than sorry, we have, reluctantly, made the decision to cancel our in-person group gatherings. Rabbi Setel has set up a videoconferencing account so that those who would like to participate in Torah study, classes and meetings may do so. Please click here for resources to keep you connected to our Temple and the wider Jewish community.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact one of us.

Wishing you well!

Jonathan Rubin, President
jrubin566@gmail.com, 585-615-0573

Rabbi Drorah Setel
rabbisetel@gmail.com, 716-876-5874

Click here to return to Home page.

Back to top

Skip to content