Newsletter

In this newsletter:

• COVID-19 - "Watch and Wait" Update from the Rabbi (5/27)
• Study Material for Shavuot PDF
• Yizkor Submit names online
• Candle Lighting and Halachic Times for Shavuot
• Shavuot in Yemen - From the Shiviti Bet Midrash VIDEO
• LIVE Havdalah via Zoom​​​​​​​

As I mentioned in my email from last Shabbat, Rabbanit Devorah and I listened attentively to the President's speech calling for the re-opening of places of worship. 

After careful consideration, closely monitoring the situation and receiving regular updates and guidelines from the CDC, State and local authorities; advice from trusted medical professionals familiar both with our Kehillah and Shiviti as a whole; and conversation with colleagues from around the world; we believe that it is in the best interest of our Kehillah to continue holding off on gatherings for any reason at the Kehillat Shaar HaShamayim campus.

We are taking what others have called “watch and wait” approach over the next two weeks in order to best ensure the safety of our community. In taking this approach, we will have the benefit of observing the effects of these loosened restrictions, without risking the members of our Kehillah. Other religious groups across the spectrum are currently taking this approach as well. 

In two weeks time we will re-evaluate the situation, which can play out in two different ways:  
 
1. There will not be a significant increase in new cases, hospitalizations, severe disease, and/or deaths. In hindsight, we will say we could have left our homes and had minyanim these last two weeks.

OR

2. There will be a significant increase in new cases, hospitalizations, severe disease, and/or deaths. In hindsight, we will be very pleased with the decision to continue social distancing at home.
 
We believe that this will help bring clarity to us all and better evaluate our next steps forward.  

I reiterate once again: there must be no break-away Minyanim or rogue gatherings from our community, whether in the Kehillah campus or off of it. I ask of you to place your trust in HaKadosh Baruch Hu that this will end soon, and askof you with all my heart to stand behind me and support this unanimously. 

We pray and hope that the current situation continues to improve so that we can begin to ease restrictions and return to normalcy safely. As soon as we believe we have a safe way to re-open Tefillah and classes, we most certainly will. 

In the meantime, I ask for you to hang in there with us, and take advantage of all the other ways we have set up to engage in community. We are a strong Kehillah of true friends and with Hashem's help we will overcome this challenge as well!

With many blessings for a Chag Same'ach and Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Yonatan Halevy

Please enjoy this reading companion for Shavuot featuring our colleagues at the SEC.

Featuring rabbis you have learned from in the past - among others: 

From Zion Will Come Forth Torah:
The Direct Link Between Yom HaAtzmaut and Shavuot
Rabbi Yonatan Halevy (page 21)

Pesah to Shavuot Q&A
Rabbi Moshe Benzaquen (page 12)

When Did Ruth Convert?

Rabbi Ben Hassan (page 25)

Please note that this publication is not published by Shiviti. The opinions, facts and any content in them are presented solely by the authors who assume all responsibility for them.

It is a long-standing practice at Kehillat Shaar HaShamayimt to show respect to those who observe Yizkor on the days the Ashkenazi communities worldwide do by reciting a "Hashkavah Kelalit", a communal memorial prayer.

This year, though we are not together, name can be submitted for the Rabbi to recite Yizkor during his personal prayers on the holiday of Shavuot.

Kindly submit names before candle-lighting tomorrow (5/28).

Please use the form below - may their memory be for a blessing.

Erev Chag - Thursday
 
Candle Lighting: 7:32pm
 
Shekiah (Sunset): 7:50pm
 
First Day of Chag - Friday
 
Netz (ideal time to begin Amidah when praying alone): 5:42am

Latest Shema: 8:30am or 9:14am

Latest Shacharit: 10:25am

Earliest Mincha: 1:21pm
 
Tzet HaKochavim (Three Stars): 8:32pm

Erev Shabbat - Friday

It is our practice to recite Kabbalat Shabbat as usual with the additions for Yom Tov in Arvit
 
Candle Lighting: 7:28pm

Note from the Rabbi regarding candle lighting on second day of Chagim:
The Berachah may only be recited if the room does not have any lights on, this includes electric lights. The candles may be lit in another where it is dark, if the
above scenario does not exist. The candles must be lit from an existing flame.
 
Shekiah (Sunset): 7:50pm
 
Second Day of Chag - Shabbat - Saturday
 
Netz (ideal time to begin Amidah when praying alone): 5:41am

Latest Shema: 8:30am or 9:14am

Latest Shacharit: 10:25am

Earliest Mincha: 1:22pm
 
Shabbat Ends: 8:34pm

Zoom Havdalah: 8:45pm

Topic: Virtual Havdalah with Kehillat Shaar HaShamayim
Time: Saturdays 8:45 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/956626405

Meeting ID: 956 626 405

If you are not part of one of our regular Google Classrooms and wish to join, I ask that you send an email as soon as possible to info@shiviti.org, requesting to join our "Special Shiviti" Google Classroom. Or just reply to this email!

For those who plan to only use this temporarily during this period, you can join our special Google Classroom setup just for the current situation. You will receive all live updates about any relevant classes being offered online without having to subscribe to one of the dedicated classrooms.

A tremendous tool in bringing our Shiviti Bet Midrash on-line is our official Shiviti channel on YouTube.

Please take a moment and subscribe by following this link and CLICKING "subscribe"!
  www.youtube.com/c/shiviti