Dearest Members of Kehillat Shaar HaShamayim,
This is the most exciting email I have written in the last three months. With the help of Hashem, we as a Kehillah have made it to the other side, with flying colors!
After carefully considering, 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; consultation with our Halachic guides; and conversation with colleagues from around the world; we are slowly beginning Phase 1 of re-opening Kehillat Shaar HaShamayim!
Thank you to each and every one of you who took of your precious time to attend tonight's important communal meeting.
A brief summary of the conclusions we reached tonight: - Location. We will begin re-opening by holding one Friday evening Tefillah, and one Shabbat afternoon Shiur outside our home instead of at the main Kehillah campus.
- Success will determine future. Based on our observations of these initial meetings, we will begging planning for Phase 2 of adding more Tefillot to the Shabbat schedule.
- Members and regulars only. These meetings are open to Kehillah members and regulars only. All outsiders, even if they are guests of our members, will not be allowed entry. We hope for a day where we can reinstate our famous Kehillat Shaar HaShamayim hospitality, and this is a necessary first step to reaching that goal.
- Children and high risk individuals. In this initial phase, we cannot accommodate any children under the age of Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Those over the age of 65 or in a high-risk group should consult with their trusted medical professional before attending.
- Registration. All who wish to attend Friday and/or Shabbat meetings, must register in advance via our online form . Those who do not register by 11:59pm on Thursday will be unable to attend meetings upon arrival.
- Conditions and guidelines. The conditions and guidelines for attendance of these meetings is 1) washing/sanitizing hands before arrival, 2) maintenance of 6 feet social distancing between people, 3) wearing face masks, 4) avoiding entry into the home or contact with any shared surfaces.
- Symptoms. Anyone with any of the following symptoms may not attend in-person meetings at this time: cough; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; fever; chills; muscle pain; sore throat; new loss of taste or smell.
- Illness. Anyone who does not feel well even without experiencing these specific symptoms - may not attend in-person meetings.
- Exposure. If one has been infected with COVID-19 or has self-quarantined because of exposure to an individual infected or suspected to have been infected with COVID-19, must be symptom-free for at least 14 days before attending in-person meetings.
- Bring your own chair. Each registered member must arrive on Friday with their own chair to place on their designated spot. This chair will be exclusive to them and remain there until removal on Saturday night.
- Shared items. No Siddurim or other shared articles will be provided. Registered members must make sure to bring their own.
- Restrooms. There will be no bathroom access for the time being. We are looking into options for a portable toilet, but have not secured one yet. Please work with the assumption that there will not be one. If anyone wishes to sponsor a portable toilet, please contact us by replying to this email.
- Water bottles. We are working on securing water bottles to be distributed among meeting participants. If you would like to purchase and deliver a few cases of water bottles, please respond to this email to let us know.
- Please do your part! Unlike other communities, no individual will be tasked with policing these guidelines. By registering to attend, you agree to adhere to all the rules mentioned above without exception. I will not hesitate to shut down these meetings if we are unable to act responsibly and adhere to these guidelines. We must each do our part, so that we can continue expanding our re-opening plan.
What we will be continuing:
- We will continue with our Shiurim on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays! Our Zoom platform and Google Classroom have proven to be powerful venues for continuing our Torah learning!
- We will continue providing a learning venue through our Shiviti Learning Forum on Facebook.
- We will continue being in touch with our friends via every appropriate medium at this time.
- We will continue to check in on each other, taking care of each others needs.
- We will continue with virtual Havdalah after Shabbat, via Zoom.
- And ultimately, Rabbanit Devorah and I are here for you personally each and every step of the way. Talk to us. Know that we are here to discuss anything, good or bad, big or small. It doesn't make a difference where we are physically - but we are always together at heart.
Rabbanit Devorah and I will continue to monitor San Diego's health situation on a daily basis and promise to be in touch regularly. We will continue to act responsibly, and slowly continue our safe re-opening in coming weeks, b'ezrat Hashem!
We will send updates as called for, and you can count on further communication in the event of any changes or updates.
We pray that we will soon be able to return to our usual routine and ask that HaKadosh Baruch Hu send peace and healing to the entire world.
Wishing you and yours only well,
Rabbi Yonatan Y. Halevy
Spiritual Leader
Shiviti – Kehillat Shaar HaShamayim
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