While Albany has begun its phases of reopening, following guidance from medical experts, the Orthodox Union, and rabbinic authorities, we are not yet ready to resume services at CBAJ in any form. I assure you that we are working diligently on our plan for beginning a process of resuming services, and we will communicate those plans with you when they are ready and when it is safe for us to begin that process.
Meanwhile, Shavuot is approaching, and I'd like to let you know about three upcoming program for Shavuot. In addition, please look for next week's CBAJ Notes for Shavuot e-mail which will include more details, relevant times for Shavuot, as well as printable resources for the holiday.
1. Pre-Shavuot Learning with Rabbi Feldman and Yeshiva University
We are excited to partner with Yeshiva University's Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary to offer a virtual late-night learning program the night before Shavuot. Beginning Wednesday, May 27, at 8 pm, I will deliver the class I had planned on teaching to open our in-person all night learning: . This will be followed by live shiurim from wonderful speakers and scholars from YU and RIETS. Please join us for all or some of the learning!
2. Ice Cream Truck at the CBAJ Parking Lot
Thursday, May 28 (Erev Shavuot) stop by the CBAJ Parking lot between 4 pm and 6 pm to get some ice cream and learning materials for adults and children - and I'd love to see you and wish you a Chag Sameach (please continue to maintain social distancing and please wait in your car while others get their ice cream). **CBAJ Members will receive a separate e-mail early next week with their voucher for free ice cream (show the ice cream truck driver on your phone, or print it out).
3. Yizkor for Shavuot on Zoom
When the Temple stood in Jerusalem, if sacrifices for Shavuot could not be brought on the Yom Tov, they were brought in the week that followed (called Yemei Tashlumin - "Compensation Days"). In keeping with that spirit and that of Isru Chag (the day that follows a holiday), we will host a Zoom Commmunal Yizkor (to "make up" for the one we missed in shul) on Sunday, May 31, at 10:00 AM (thirty minutes). I will offer brief marks and share the text of Yizkor on the Zoom screen for people to recite along.
While we cannot celebrate yet in person together, we are together in spirit and we can join together virtually for programs in the spirit of Shavuot.
I would also like to remind you that this Thursday evening (tomorrow) and Friday is Yom Yerushalayim, commemorating the reunification of Jerusalem under Jewish sovereignty in 1967. We do not recite Tachanun at Mincha on Thursday, and full Hallel is recited following the Amidah on Friday morning.
We all miss our synagogue and pray for the opportunity to return safely. When the time comes to reopen, we will put health and safety first. We are researching best practices for reopening and working on a plan for our return. Even after we reopen, we will continue to offer remote programming as long as there are people who cannot come to synagogue. However, our core mission right now as a synagogue community is to be there for you, whatever challenges you may face. Call me, or call your friends at CBAJ, whether you need help with something, want to think something through, or just to chat. That is what community is for right now.
Cordially,
Roy Feldman
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob
380 Whitehall Rd
Albany, NY 12208
