Rabbi Blog

Dear Friends,

מה טבו אהליך יעקב משכנותיך ישראל
How goodly your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel

We hope, with God's help, that we will have Shabbos minyanim resume this coming week, Parashas Korach.
Please fill out the attached survey if you are interested in attending.

Rabbi Kerbel will give a drasha on Thursday night at 7:00 PM over Zoom on the topic of  "V'shamru Mishmartecha: Safeguarding Our Return to Shul,"  addressing the practical and hashkafic aspects of resuming minyanim. Those who plan to attend minyanim are especially encouarged to listen to the drasha, although all are welcome to listen. The Zoom link is here.
Meeting ID: 937 1352 2296
Password: 9QNPRt

To call in:
(646) 558-8656 
Meeting ID: 937 1352 2296
Password: 742509

Please see below, where we highlight the guidelines for attending minyanim.

We look forward to seeing many of you this Shabbos.

Warmly,

The QJC Administration

Shabbos Minyanim:
-Friday night: times will depend on results of the survey. No speeches or shiurim. Minyan would otherwise proceed as normal, with mincha, Kabbolas Shabbos, and Maariv. Yedid nefesh would not be sung. Kiddush would not be said in shul.
-Shabbos morning: minyanim start with Rabbi Yishmael. Baal korei receives all honors related to the Torah. However, leining need not take place if there is no suitable ba'al korei available.
No speeches. Singing only at Kel Adon; no Anim Zemiros.
-We need feedback on mincha and maariv. Either they would be combined at shkia, or we would daven mincha early and maariv when Shabbos ends.

Please be aware of the following considerations as you fill out this survey:
- Those who choose to attend must commit to coming on time to help minyan be conducted efficiently.

- People may not linger/congregate before or after minyan, and there will be absolutely no kiddushim, tikkun or any shared food. Please do not come too early and leave as quickly as possible after the minyan ends.

- Anyone who attends minyan must wear a mask at all times covering both the nose and mouth and must commit to maintaining a distance of ten feet from other individuals during their time in shul. Masks will not be provided.
Those who do not follow this guideline will be asked to leave - it is extremely important for everyone's safety.

- Everyone should bring their own siddur, chummash, and tallis.

- Bathrooms should be avoided and used only in the case of an emergency.

- Children below bar/bat mitzvah should not come at this time.

- Based on advice from medical professionals, people who are over 65 are strongly discouraged from attending minyanim at this time. However, attending minyan under those circumstances is a personal decision which must be discussed with one's own doctor. 

- People with preexisting medical conditions of any sort beyond seasonal allergies must also exercise great caution and should consult with a doctor before signing up to attend minyan.

 - Anyone who attends must show ZERO symptoms of COVID-19 and must not be EXPOSED to anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 (new loss of sense of smell or taste, cough, fever, chills, malaise,  GI symptoms) for FOURTEEN DAYS.
If you attend and are exposed, show symptoms, or test positive, you must inform QJC leadership immediately.

No one should feel any pressure whatsoever to come to Shul. If someone is feeling uncomfortable, it is perfectly and totally permissible to continue to daven at home.