This message was sent to our Fairmount Temple members and friends on March 13:
These are extraordinary times.
The emergence and continued spread of COVID-19 has taken a critical turn. As the severity of the Coronavirus increases, and in light of Ohio Governor Mike Dewine’s sobering issuance of orders to protect the safety of every Ohioan, we at Fairmount Temple have evaluated the steps necessary to ensure the safety of our synagogue-community.
Our tradition guides us that the mitzvah of Pikuach Nefesh (the saving of a life) takes primacy over any other mitzvah or Jewish act. As such, we have made the difficult decision to suspend all on-site temple operations – save for already scheduled private life-cycle functions. We currently plan to re-open the building on Friday, April 3. As this is a very fluid situation, you will certainly receive updates as it continues to evolve and change. On occasion, you may see people coming and going from the building to perform essential services. While we know that this poses hardships on all of us, we feel confident that this is the right step to take together in order to keep our community safe.
Clergy support: Our clergy are here for you as they always are, and are ready in these times to “meet” by phone, video-chat or email. Please feel free to reach out to them directly.
Rabbi Caruso can be reached at jcaruso@fairmounttemple.org
Cantor Sager can be reached at ssager@fairmounttemple.org
Rabbi Chernow-Reader can be reached at jchernowreader@fairmounttemple.org
Rabbi Chernow-Reader can be reached at jchernowreader@fairmounttemple.org
Worship services: We anticipate, at this time, that the building will re-open for services on Friday, April 3. While we are closed, we will hold our scheduled B’nai Mitzvah services, and other life-cycle events that arise, but in this challenging time, please note that these particular services are for invited guests only. They will be broadcast on our livestream page at this link: https://www.fairmounttemple.org/worship/live-stream/
Lifelong Learning: Preschool and Religious School instruction, like all regularly scheduled temple events, are cancelled. However, our school educators are working on plans to activate creative learning sessions virtually. If you are a school parent or student, please keep your eyes and ears out for communications from Rabbi Chernow-Reader, Jane Mayers and Staci Cohen for further details.
Torah Study: Torah study on Shabbat mornings will continue to be led by Diane Lavin via Zoom. Zoom is a conferencing tool we will be using and you only need to click on a link to download the app. If you’d like to be included in the upcoming Zoom Torah study sessions, please reach out to Diane at: dianelavin60@gmail.com. Wednesday Morning Study will be moved to Zoom conferencing. Staci Cohen at scohen@fairmounttemple.org will be sending an email to this effect, and if you would like to be added to the group list, please contact Staci.
Caring Community Work: Our staff and lay leadership will continue to serve our temple community remotely. Please be in touch with our Caring Community Coordinator, Wendy Jacobson, at: wjaciobson@fairmountemple.org with questions or ways in which we might serve you or someone you know.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Preparations: Our clergy and tutors are still available to work with our students in person or via technology. Families should reach out to tutors directly, or to Cantor Sager’s assistant, Yael Casselberry, at ycasselberry@fairmounttemple.org with any questions.
Adult Programming: We will not hold any on-site programs during this period of time. We are also developing new events to keep you engaged and feeling part of our community – details coming soon!
Committee Meetings: All essential committee meetings will take place virtually; stay tuned for staff, lay leadership, and committee chairs to reach out with instructions on how to connect.
Below is a prayer that you can recite to maintain calm during this period of communal disruption
When I panic, God, teach me patience.
When I fear, teach me faith.
When I doubt myself, teach me confidence.
When I despair, teach me hope.
When I lose perspective, show me the way – back to love, back to life, back to You.
- Mishkan R’Fuah: Where Healing Resides
Click here for our Temple Calendar to see what’s happening every week.
Did You Know through OPERATION 100% AFFILIATION: JUDAISM FOR EVERY GENERATION,
Fairmount Temple offers the first year voluntary dues to new and returning members?
We want you to experience what we know, Fairmount Temple is a special place to belong. Click here for more info.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Our Clergy Created Their Own FUN Holiday Greetings!
Our Clergy Created Their Own FUN Holiday Greetings!
Click here to see the Jewmanji A Passover Parody and click here to see the High Holy Days Clergy Car Karaoke!
To learn more about these programs or other opportunities for learning, worship and social action at Fairmount Temple, click on the website calendar, the Bulletin newsletter, or call us at 216-464-1330.
