Temple Announces Gradual Reopening
Temple Emanu-El announces a gradual reopening beginning with Friday night Shabbat services. The Temple will be holding limited capacity, in-person Shabbat services beginning May 21, 2021. RSVP is required to attend.
RSVPs will be accepted from 6:00 PM Monday until 10:00 PM on the Thursday prior to Shabbat. Information to RSVP is available at https://www.shaloha.com/welcome-back#.
The following guidelines are currently in effect:
- Our first priority will always be the safety and well-being of everyone who steps onto our campus.
- Our decisions will be based on scientific evidence, State and County restrictions and an abundance of caution.
- We will conduct religious services, Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations and other scheduled events with a smaller physical presence of up to 40 individuals in the Sanctuary and up to 40 people in the Social Hall.
- Friday Night Shabbat services will also continue to be streamed. Visit the Temple Facebook page and Shaloha.com to tune in to Shabbat Evening service at 7:00 PM.
- Extended family, friends, and the community beyond 80 individuals will continue to be able to join in the celebrations virtually until further notice.
- Masks are required to attend.
- Participants at services and events will need to maintain a distance of 6 feet between individuals while at Temple with the exception of family groups who may sit together.
- The Temple office and Levinson-Krupp Library are closed until further notice. The Temple staff is available by email (admin@shaloha.com) and telephone (808-595-7521).
- All reopening announcements will be sent out via the Temple e-newsletter and available on Shaloha.com. Sign up to receive weekly email blasts here.
View full reopening announcement and addtional updates here.
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Special Blessings for a Pandemic
A Reflection for Receiving the Coronavirus Vaccine by
Rabbi Rebecca Kamil
As we move from darkness to light
May we take this vaccine as a sign of what is to come
A world reopened and renewed
Embracing family and friends
Gathering together in joy
May we also be mindful of what has been
The lives lost
The sorrow felt
And may the past and present intertwine
Giving us hope for the future.
A Blessing for Putting on Face Masks
The following blessing affirms the act of putting on a mask to keep ourselves and others healthy during the Covid-19 pandemic:
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha-olam, asher keed’shanu b’meetzvotav, v’tzeevanu al sh’meerat ha-nefesh.
You are bountiful, our infinite God, majesty of space and time, who has sanctified us with divine commandments and has commanded us about protecting life.
A Blessing For Washing Hands During a Pandemic By Trisha Arlin
As we wash our hands We pray, Blessed is the Soul of the Universe, Breathing us in and breathing us out. May our breaths continue And our health and the health of all Be preserved In this time of sickness and fear of sickness. Holy Wholeness, We take as much responsibility for this as we can By observing the obligation to wash our hands Thoroughly: For as long as it takes to say this prayer. Amen.
Barukh atah adonai eloheinu melekh ha-olam asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu al netilat yadayim.
Blessed are you, our God, ruler of the universe, who sanctified us with God's commandments and instructed us on washing hands.