Baruch Hashem, during this time of crisis, there has been an outpouring of offers from members, offers to assist with shopping and deliveries, and to check up neighbors who are not leaving their homes. We have also had many people reach out to say that they would appreciate exactly this type of assistance.
The offers of help have been so numerous that we needed to come up with a way of pairing up people who are offering assistance, and people who are in need of assistance.
If you are able to help with shopping, or you’re unable to go shopping because you were advised not to leave your home, please sign up by going to this Google Doc: click here.
If you are able to check in with members of our shul or would like someone to check in with you (as often as you need, including over Shabbos and Yom Tov), please sign up by going to this Google Doc: click here.
If you would like to offer anything beyond shopping and visits, or if you are in need of anything other than shopping or visits, please email me directly, and I will do my best to connect you with the right people.
This was forwarded to me. Have you recovered from COVID-19 infection? You may be able to help find the cure.
One emerging area of research involves using the blood from patients who "cleared" the infection to help treat those patients who are still critically ill. As Teaneck was one of the earliest communities affected, we are among the first groups in the country to "clear" the infection, and our community can therefore be part of the cure.
We are asking that any member of our community who had COVID-19 and has now recovered consider being part of this initiative. It involves simple blood tests. There are centers in Manhattan doing this research, and below are some ways to get involved for a few of these programs:
Pleaseclick here to access a comprehensive guide to social distancing. Thank you to SAR’s Medical Advisory Group, a group of doctors who have worked together to guide the SAR community during this challenging time and to the SAR administration for allowing us to share this important information with our Rinat community.
JFS clinicians will be offering free, evening support via Zoom or conference call. Each night Monday through Thursday, a JFS therapist will facilitate the meeting from 9:00 - 10:00 PM.
The meetings are open to the entire community, to discuss fears, coping mechanisms, and in general to provide support during this challenging time.
Not using Zoom? Join over the phone: 929-436-2866 Meeting ID: 779 863 336
If you would like to speak with a JFS clinician, please call 973-777-7638.
Please be advised that:
The JFCS Food Pantries are fully operational. We are distributing pre-packed food bags to those in need by appointment. We are complying with social distancing.
We continue to provide clinical therapy delivered remotely via teleconference. New referrals accepted.
If any of your congregants are in need of food or therapy we can be reached at 201-837- 9090.
We hope and pray for the speedy return to normalcy and for the health of all in our community.
Thank you, Susan Greenbaum CEO
HEBREW FREE LOAN OF NEW JERSEY CORONAVIRUS FINANCIAL IMPACT INTEREST FREE LOANS
Hebrew Free Loan of New Jersey (HFLNJ) will provide INTEREST FREE loans to support individuals and small businesses with financial challenges caused by the Coronavirus outbreak. Our mission continues to be the same since the 1800’s: to provide interest free loans to members of the community to help them meet their financial needs with dignity.
In our Coronavirus Financial Impact Program, HFLNJ will provide interest free loans up to $3600 to Jewish residents of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, and Union counties for:
Emergency needs due to lost wages Small business owner needs Child care costs due to closures of school Medical costs
Email MRatzker@jfsmetrowest.org to start the process. For residents of Bergen and Passaic counties, please call 201-791-8395.
HFLNJ loans are funded entirely by community donations. If you would like to contribute as we anticipate the need to be greater than ever, please visit our website at hebrewfreeloanofnj.org.
Yesterday our local schools made the difficult decision to close through the end of next week, and have instituted remote learning whenever possible. Last night the RCBC convened an emergency meeting with all rabbis, presidents and principals in Bergen County, together with medical professionals, local officials and the board of health, to discuss the situation, and today the RCBC issued a broad and heavy hearted decision to cancel all minyanim and shul services, along with other strong measures, for the foreseeable future. Shul will be closed after the 9:15 maariv minyan tonight.
All of these steps have been taken in order to limit the heavy burden placed on our hospitals and healthcare system, and to ensure that the sickest people can get the care they need, by slowing down transmission of the COVID-19 virus.
Not only was this message agreed upon clearly by the attendees, but all of Rinat’s delegates at the meeting were in complete agreement; rabbis, administrators and healthcare professionals.
Therefore, we implore you to adhere to the guidelines laid out in the RCBC letter. While this is a very challenging time, we can get through it with the greatest success if we follow those guidelines. Furthermore, as parents and grandparents, we must set an example for the younger generation, and not violate (or even bend) the rules. Ensure your teenagers understand that we are taking this very seriously, and that the mall, movies and other social get-togethers are off limits. The physicians at the RCBC meeting repeatedly stressed how important it is to try and work from home, and to avoid public transportation if you must commute to work.
There are also ways our community is stepping up to help, and where are ways you can help your neighbors, including: · If you need assistance with meals, please reach out to Lisa Rothchild at lisahrothschild@gmail.com. · If you are a chiyuv this week, which Bina is as well, please ask someone to say kaddish for you who is davening in a minyan where there are no minyan restrictions. · If you do not have children living at home, and you are able to do so, offer to help out a neighbor with kids who needs to continue going to work. · Show support for the community decisions by adhering to the guidelines in the RCBC letter, and speak up if your friends and neighbors are not. (For example, do not convene a minyan in your home, and do not attend one arranged by someone else.) · And of course, if you need any other assistance, please reach out to one of us, or the members of Rinat’s board, and we will do our best to assist you in any way we can.
We understand this is not at all easy. With Hashem’s help we will get through this together, as a united community acting in unison, and we look forward to welcoming you all back to our beloved Rinat as soon as we are able.
Please remember to collect your all of your sefarim, tallesim and other personal items that you require during the closure by 9:15 tonight.
May Hashem heal all those who have taken ill, and guard over all of us at this difficult time.
This is a very challenging time for all of us and we wanted to reach out before Shabbat with a few updates.
According to the NJ Department of Health, there are zero confirmed cases of COVID-2019 in Teaneck. The Teaneck Health Department is conducting risk assessments and following directives in cooperation with the CDC and NJDOH, and urges residents to remain calm and not spread fear and panic. As noted in earlier emails, everyone is reminded to protect themselves from the flu, common cold and all respiratory viruses by thoroughly washing their hands regularly with soap, avoid touching their faces with unwashed hands, coughing into tissues or their elbow, avoiding contact with people who are ill, and properly cleaning frequently-touched surfaces. And if anyone suspects an exposure is strongly urged to call a health provider or emergency room before going there so that special arrangements can be taken to avoid any potential spread.
Based on recommendations from infectious diseases professionals, there is no indication at this time that shul attendance should be restricted, unless: a) one is sick with a potentially contagious respiratory illness, b) one is under a NY State DOH self-quarantine, and/or c) one is under a CDC self-quarantine.
However, if you are not feeling well, out of an abundance of caution, please stay home and do not risk the wellbeing of others.
Purim is Monday night. We are setting up both a live stream and a call-in option for people to hear megillah if they are unable to attend in person. We will IYH send out details on how to join in those streams on Sunday.
As Shabbat is approaching, we wanted to share some reminders: · Before this Shabbat, all frequently-handled surfaces in the shul such as doorknobs and washing stations will be thoroughly cleaned with an anti-bacterial solution. These areas will also be continually cleaned throughout Shabbat. · We encourage you to use the many sinks and soap dispensers in the shul for frequent handwashing. Additionally, there are Purell dispensing stations in bathrooms and beside sinks on every level of the building. · Refrain from shaking hands. Bumping elbows, or just saying hello, is perfectly acceptable. · Refrain from kissing Mezuzot, Siddurim, Chumashim, and Sifrei Torah, both directly with lips, and with lips to fingers or with Tzitzit. It’s probably best to bring your own siddurim and chumashim to shul this Shabbat. · The Purim Chagiga is still scheduled to take place, but as opposed to in the past, the food will not be a buffet. This year all food will be served by designated individuals following safe food-handling guidelines.
Per Rabbi Adler, if you are saying Kaddish within the year of Aveilut, or if you have an upcoming Yahrzeit, and you are in quarantine, do not come to shul, but instead ask someone to say kaddish for you. Observing a quarantine is more important than saying Kaddish yourself or being in shul for Zachor.
Anyone who is in quarantine who needs help with grocery shopping or meals, please reach out to Lisa Rothschild at lisahrothschild@gmail.com.
We look forward to joining together as a shul and community with these precautions in place. Please keep Eliezer Yitzchak ben Shifra in your tefillot. May Hashem heal all those who have taken ill, and guard over us in these challenging times.
If you exhibit symptoms such as cough, fever or shortness of breath, you should follow up with your physician.If the situation warrants going to the ER, please call ahead so they can take appropriate precautions.
We received the following notification from the NY State and Westchester County Departments of Health:
COVID-19 Update Young Israel of New Rochelle At the direction of New York State, Westchester County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler has directed that Young Israel of New Rochelle halt all services immediately and for the foreseeable future due to potential COVID-19 exposure connected to the man who tested positive today. Additionally, congregants of the [synagogue] who attended services on February 22nd and a bat mitzvah at the temple on February 23rd must self-quarantine until at the very earliest March 8th. Those who do not self-quarantine will be mandated to by the County Department of Health to do so.
The aforementioned funeral on February 22nd was for Marek Appell z”l, father of our former member Carolyn Diller. If you were in attendance at the funeral, we ask that you respect the DOH guidelines, and please do not attend shul until at least March 8th. If you were at the funeral, please advise the shul office.
If you exhibit symptoms such as cough, fever or shortness of breath, you should follow up with your physician. Per the CDC, call ahead, and avoid going to the emergency department.
Please note that if you attended that funeral, or have symptoms of illness, Halacha demands that you NOT come to shul, even for the Deoraita obligation of Parshat Zachor. One can fulfill that biblical obligation during the summer, when we read Parshat Ki Tezeh.
Furthermore, due to these new developments, this Shabbat’s planned communal kiddush has been rescheduled (date TBD).
As you are likely aware, global spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a growing worldwide health concern. On Tuesday, February 25, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) gave a press conference updating the country on the current status of the coronavirus and what steps should be taken moving forward. We wanted to share with you what Rinat is doing to stay current and some of the steps we are taking to prevent the spread of illness across our community.
Monitoring New Developments As the CDC emphasized, current risk to the American public of COVID-19 infection is low. The number of cases across the U.S. is still small; however, the CDC also notes that widespread transmission throughout the United States is likely to occur. We are constantly monitoring new developments and will regularly continue to reevaluate our steps and actions. We are closely monitoring information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the New Jersey Department of Health, and the Bergen County Department of Health.
Planning for Potential Local Occurrences If coronavirus spreads to our area, we will make decisions about potential actions due to disease transmission prevention guidelines, based on the guidance of the CDC and local Departments of Health. We will keep you informed of any decisions in a timely fashion. Please note that as of the release time of this notice, there are no special steps called for other than good personal hygiene and thorough handwashing.
The New Jersey Health Department has developed this guide for families.
Preventing and Minimizing the Spread of Infectious Disease The most effective way to stay healthy and minimize the spread of infectious disease is to follow basic health best practices and infection prevention as follows:
Wash hands often, with soap and water, rubbings hands together with soap lather for at least 20 seconds before rinsing.
If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Proper use of hand sanitizer involves rubbing your hands together so that all surfaces are covered with the gel, using enough product that your hands should not become dry for at least 20 seconds. Rub together until dry, do not use towels, and do not wash off the reside.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and those of your children, with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
If a tissue is not available, it is best to sneeze or cough into one's elbow to keep the cough or sneeze from spreading and to avoid adding germs to your hands.
If you are coughing repeatedly, remove yourself from groups of people.
Regularly clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces.
Go to the doctor if an illness does not clear up in a few days or if you suspect a viral infection, such as the flu. Please share the confirmed diagnosis with the office for tracking and follow-up purposes. Please note that symptoms for COVID-19 can include fever, cough or shortness of breath.
If you have not already done so, get the annual flu vaccine, unless medically contraindicated.
Members should not come to shul with symptoms of illness, including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and upper respiratory infection, even if you are a chiyuv or are saying kaddish.
The CDC has issued travel advisories for China, Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam - we therefore ask if you have traveled, or will travel, to any of these locations, or any other location the CDC includes should the list be expanded, to self-quarantine upon return for 14 days before returning to Rinat. (This likewise applies to chiyuvim.)
Anyone with a compromised immune system should be exceptionally careful. The overwhelming majority of affected patients in China who became severely or critically ill were those with significant lung disease (including chronic smokers without other respiratory complication), compromised immune systems, or other significant underlying illnesses such as diabetes.
Thank you in advance for being our partner in keeping our community strong and healthy.
Rabbi Yosef Adler Bina Faber Elissa Yurowitz Rabbi President Executive Director
