WELCOME TO CONGREGATION BETH ORA

REGARDING SHUL REOPENING PROCEDURES

Dear Friends,

I am pleased to report that the two Shabbat services recently held under a tent in our parking lot have gone extremely well. I am grateful to all those who have attended for minimizing the risks by responsibly adhering to the social distancing requirements.

Given this, we no longer intend to make a blanket restriction on the attendance of older members of our community. Nevertheless, out of concern for the health of the elderly and/or immuno-compromised, we do ask that those members discuss the risks with their health care providers before deciding to attend. It is a greater mitzvah to stay safe than to pray with a minyan, even if one is saying Kaddish or has yahrzeit.

For this next phase of our reopening, we will continue to hold services outside, under the tent. Shabbat morning services will begin at Shochein Ad” and will run from 9:30 to 10:45 AM.

We suspect that our invitation to the over 65 age group will result in a significantly higher attendance than we had at the last two Shabbat services. We are committed to working together to minimize any risk and to facilitate our prayer services in the most meaningful and enjoyable way. At this stage, we ask that children below 13 years of age not attend the services. We hope that this next stage will go smoothly and that we will soon be able to welcome children again to our services.
 
We are also glad to inform you that we will be resuming our weekday morning services, beginning on Wednesday July 8th, under the tent. Weekday services (Monday-Friday) will begin at 7:00 AM. On Sunday, the service will begin at 8:00 AM. The service will begin promptly with “Amar Rabbi Yishmael.” Please note that, in order to maintain social distancing, all the aliyot will be given to Rabbi Heshy Benshimon until further notice. 

 
Please be reminded of our safety protocols as outlined below, which apply to both Shabbat and weekday services:

• It is of paramount importance that anyone diagnosed with COVID-19, quarantined due to exposure, traveled outside of Quebec in the last 14 days, or otherwise under suspicion for developing infection, not attend services. This includes anyone exhibiting any symptoms of illness. We cannot emphasise this point enough: Even if one’s decision to stay home will mean there will not be a minyan, DON’T COME TO SYNAGOGUE.

 
  
Expectations for Those Attending Services at Beth Ora


Joining Beth Ora’s services implies full acceptance of the guidelines stated below:

• The wearing of a mask is compulsory at all times for everyone, as soon as you are on the synagogue parking lot. Everyone who comes must bring their own mask and wear it the entire time.

• During the service, as well as while entering and exiting, congregants should maintain social distance of two metres. There should be no congregating before or after prayers, and no food served.

• Hand disinfection using disinfectant gel (provided by the community) will be compulsory at the entrance of the tent.

• ​Participants are to bring their own prayer book and tallit from home. On Shabbat, we will have some printouts of the Torah reading available. As we won’t have enough for everyone, we ask that those members living in Ville St Laurent who do have a Chumash please bring their own.

• Participants should not sing during these services.

• There will be no access to the synagogue building under any pretext, including bathroom use, or retrieving books or Tallit.

• ​Anyone attending the service agrees that if, G-d forbid, they are found to be COVID-19 positive, they give permission that all other minyan attendees will be notified of their COVID-19 positive status so appropriate contact tracing can occur immediately.

 
Finally, we wish to remind you of what we have learned during this pandemic: Congregation Beth Ora is a community, not just a building. We continue to offer Zoom events and other initiatives. Please continue to reach out to your fellow Beth Ora members and let us all support each other through these challenging times.
 
We look forward to the gradual and safe reopening of all our services, and the continued support and growth of our community during that process.
 
Rabbi Anthony Knopf                                             Polly Storozum

OUR VISION

A community centre where all generations, of whatever background or level of observance, connect to their Jewish heritage and find meaning through giving and spiritual growth, in a vibrant, caring environment.

OUR MISSION

Bringing all generations together to inspire and empower Jewish living, learning and acts of kindness; honouring our heritage and building for the future.

MAZEL TOV

July 11

To Hoda & Manny Dalfen on the birth of a great grandson

MAZEL TOV

July 4

To Lorna Burack on the graduation of her granddaughter, Noa Feitelberg, from high school in Johannesberg.  She will continue her studies at seminary in Israel

OUR HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES

July 4

To the family of the late

Sam Freedman z"l

THANK YOU

July 4

To Howard Yancovitch for his exemplary leadership as President and welcome to Polly Storozum as our new President, we wish her good luck