B"H
Update from the Rabbi
Many of our members will choose to stay home and not attend services this holiday season. We will greatly miss seeing them, but their decision is absolutely correct and responsible. While they may be physically absent, their spirit and commitment is ever present. As a shul, we will endeavor to ensure their Yom Tov is meaningful and spiritually fulfilling.
Below we will highlight some of the rituals and practices that can be performed over the holidays by all our members.
Shofar - There will be shofar blowing in multiple communities both north and south of the shul. Currently these locations include Saxony, Flanders, the shul parking lot, Addison Reserve and Grande Orchard. (Please let me know if there are other neighborhoods that desire shofar blowing and we will endeavor to accommodate them.) The exact times and locations will be communicated prior to Rosh Hashanah. (Since the first day of Rosh Hashanah is Shabbat, the shofar will only be blown on the second day). Whether attending services in shul or hearing the shofar at other locations, a maximum of 30 sounds and potentially as few as 10 sounds will be blown. The blowing of the shofar has inherent dangers of spreading droplets and therefore will be limited. There is also a strong possibility that the shofar service will be held outside, even for those attending services.
Abridged Services - Our service over the Holidays will be shortened to minimize exposure. The prayers at home can mirror the prayers being recited in shul. However, prayers that require a quorum are not recited at home. Thus, for those praying at home there would be no reading from the Torah (although reading from a Chumash would add a spiritual element to the Holiday). Even in our shul service there will not be individual aliyot, honors or ark openings.
Miriam’s Rosh Hashanah Explanatory Program - This program will take place on Zoom, Friday September 18, 2020 at 5:00pm. Please register at Ansheiemuna.org. Please invite your friends to join Miriam in ushering in the New Year.
Kaddish - Generally speaking, Kaddish can only be recited if a quorum of ten men are in the same location. There are opinions that allow the recital of Kaddish on zoom if the zoom session is in conjunction with a proper minyan. Anshei Emuna is in the midst of upgrading our sanctuary's sound system and WiFi capabilities. This will ensure that when we return to the regular daily minyan, those unable to attend weekday services can join in on zoom.
Tashlich - The tashlich prayer can be recited without a minyan. This year it’s better to say it in your own community as there is no requirement for a minyan and no shortage of ponds with fish. Tashlich can be said anytime up to Hoshana Rabba.
Selichot - At the current time, there will not be a selichot service in shul.
Kapparot - in the Chassidic world it’s common to take a live chicken on the day before Yom Kippur. It is swung around one's head multiple times as an atonement for sins. Personally, I find this ritual cruel and a violation of the Jewish law that demands that animals are treated well. My custom is to swing money around my head and use those funds for charity.
Kol Nidrei - An early Kol Nidrei service will take place on zoom before Yom Kippur starts. This will be combined with a Yizkor service.
Yizkor - Yizkor may be recited at home even without a quorum. We will nonetheless have a pre-Yom Kippur Yizkor service on Zoom. Please remember that during the Yizkor service we vow to give money to charity and it is customary to allocate those funds to Anshei Emuna.
Appeal - in order to ensure that no one loses out on the opportunity of supporting our annual Kol Nidrei Appeal, a letter will go out shortly explaining the easiest way to participate. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
As information regarding outbreaks continue to be fluid, our best laid plans may be altered. However, we are optimistic that each day brings us one step closer to finding a solution.
On behalf of Miriam and my entire family, we want to express how thankful we are to be part of this amazing community. Despite the loneliness and isolation, we can choose to focus on all the blessings we receive. May all our friends share in the blessing of a shana tova; a healthy and prosperous New Year. And to my friends who won’t physically be in shul, please remember that you will still be in our hearts, minds, and prayers.
Shabbat shalom, chodesh tov, and shana tova,
Rabbi Jack Engel
