Letter to the Congregation, March 13, 2020

A letter from Rabbi Adam Scheier to the members of Congregation Shaar Hashomayim regarding the decision to cancel services after the Covid-19 Pandemic was declared a national emergency.

Transcription:

March 13, 2020 / 17 Adar 5780

Dear Shaar Family,

We have gone back and forth on this decision, and even released a statement today stating that we will remain open for Shabbat. Our discussions have evolved with the news cycle, and I now feel that even with all of our safeguards and preparations, we must cancel our prayer services, effective immediately. The unpredictable nature of these past days – and what we anticipate in the coming days – make this the most prudent decision at this time.

I write this with tears in my eyes – canceling prayer services cuts to the core of our identity – but this is a necessary move for us, as we always establish the priority of health and life over any ritual fulfilment.

We will be communicating early next week with updates, and I look forward to reconnecting and once again praying together with you. May we emerge from this difficult period with renewed strength and commitment to our prayers, institutions, and faith.

Rabbi Adam Scheier