Rabbi Blog

Dear QJC Family,

A few weeks ago, I wrote regarding Sefirat Ha-Omer and its mourning practices. For the last four weeks or so between Pesach and this point, the mourning practices created extra meaning as we mourn the losses of those who have lost their lives to this plague and are experiencing a more somber mood. Meanwhile, as I write this, we enter Lag Ba-Omer, the day that the plague affecting Rabbi Akiva's students ended. On the one hand, we unfortunately are not done with this pandemic. Cases continue to occur, and the effects of the pandemic will be felt for some time. On the other hand, the number of daily cases continue to decline. According to today's report from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, we are back to where we were on March 17, and iy"H the number of cases will continue to decrease. While the current "normal" of staying home may have to continue on for some time, my hope is that this will be more in the spirit of prevention than the need to control a crisis.

Meanwhile, the OU/RCA released a report regarding the future possibilities of re-opening shuls. This in and of itself generates a certain measure of cautious optimism. I mention this here because it is something you may encounter in the media; with that said, I still hold the opinion that it is too early to reopen shul for the time being, and I also urge everyone to maintain proper social distancing and to desist from attending any outdoor minyanim in order to maintain the positive trend downwards.

Below are a few resources I wanted to share with everyone. Some are not new but are reminders of those resources available. Others are new.
 

• Please support local eating establishments under the hashgacha of the Vaad Harabonim of Queens where that is possible, in order to enable them to stay in business both during and after the pandemic. Many restaurants are open for pickup and delivery. 
• If you need assistance with shopping, please call or text Door2Door at 917-337-3324.
• Hatzalah is having a 24-hour camapign right now. We are indebted to Hatzalah for their tireless work in saving lives right now. Please give by clicking here. They are also having a music program.
• State and federal primaries are on June 23, 2020. However, everyone is eligible to vote absentee in light of the current situation. To request a ballot, please click here.
• The Orthodox Union continues to have daily tehllim and many other programs on a daily basis. Please click here to see their resources, and on the left sign there is a link to sign up for daily emails.
• Parker Jewish Institute is looking for future hospice and end-of-life doula volunteers. Volunteers would not be able to start now, but they are training people for when it becomes safe again to engage in this volunteering. Please click here if you are interested in signing up for training or speak with me for more information.
• Please continue to be in touch with other members of our community. Many people will appreciate the calls checking in on them. Sefirah is especially a time for us to appreciate the spirit of cooperation and helping each other out.
• Please contact me if I can be of help in any way with anything mentioned in this email.

With a beracha for health and good tidings,

​​​​​​​Rabbi Judah Kerbel