We have been monitoring developments in the Coronavirus pandemic that continues to spread and affect our daily lives. While ב"ה we do not know of any cases in our community, we recognize the need to take appropriate measures to protect ourselves.
First and foremost, as a community of יראי שמים, we know that אין לנו על מי להשען אלא על אבינו שבשמים – our fate and destiny is in the hands of Hashem. We must direct our prayers towards the Almighty to heal the sick and preserve everyone’s health throughout this public health crisis. All shuls in the city should say chapters ק"ל and קמ"ב of Tehillim every day, in addition to accepting appropriate קבלות.
We recognize that חמירא סכנתא מאיסורא (Chulin 10a) - we must be vigilant to minimize the risk to our community. Sometimes it is necessary to curtail certain observances, even significant ones, on a temporary basis in order that we merit to observe mitzvos in the long term. Following in the footsteps of רבי עקיבא איגר and our מסורה, we are committed to following the developing recommendations of our Health Departments, and to heeding regularly updated CDC recommendations for hygiene, social distancing, and protecting the most endangered.
Following a recent meeting and in consultation with medical and public health officials, we have agreed to the following initial recommendations for our community, effective immediately and until further notice:
1. Individuals who feel symptoms of illness should not come to shul or go to any public place. 2. Individuals who are otherwise frail, elderly, or immunocompromised should not attend shul or any public gatherings. 3. Unnecessary public gatherings should be postponed or canceled. There will be no Kiddushim in shul even for simchas. Shul youth groups may continue as long as the schools are open. 4. All individuals must maintain clean hygiene and wash their hands with liquid soap or hand sanitizer on a regular basis, as recommended by the CDC. 5. Social distancing is crucial at this point. Handshakes and physical contact should be avoided. When possible, people should keep at arm’s length distance or more from each other. 6. Shuls should take steps to accommodate for ample space between מתפללים during minyanim. 7. Weddings and other שמחות should be limited as possible, and not be attended by more than 250 individuals. The baalei simcha should consult with their Rav for guidance.
We will continue to monitor the situation and if needed make additional recommendations.
We are available to you during this trying time to address your questions and concerns, and we encourage you to reach out to us.
We pray that הקב"ה יצילנו מכל נגע ומחלה and that we should only have בשורות טובות to share in the future.
The Rabbanim of the City of Chicago
Please remember that it is of utmost importance to vote if you have not voted yet please make sure to do so.
Purim Wrap Up Thanks to everyone who joined together to make Purim so special. From Megilla leigning to the Purim mesiba, our kehilla came together for a most enjoyable simchas Purim. Thank you to R' Eli Davis, R' Asher and Yoni Kohn, and R' Yitzy Weiss for sponsoring the mesiba.
Zmanim Updates Friday Early Mincha- For the next 4 weeks we will be having an early Mincha 15 minutes before plag: Ki Sisa (March 13th)- 5:27pm Vayakhel Pekudei (Mar 20th)-5:33pm Vayikra (March 27th)- 5:39pm Tzav (April 3rd)- 5:44pm
Shabbos Early Mincha- Avos Ubanim- Regular Mincha As we will not be having shalosh seudos in Shul, we are pushing both Minchas and Avos Ubanim earlier to allow enough time to get home. Mincha #1 - 5:30pm Avos Ubanim - 5:45pm Mincha #2 - 6:25pm Please note: the updated schedule differs from the monthly calendar from the begininng of the month. For the rest of the month please refer to the updated calendar above.
Sunday Early Mincha- at 1:30pm throughout the Summer.
Winter Avos Ubanim ended with a very enjoyable and uplifting grand finale with close to 100 boys participating. Spring Avos Ubanim will begin this week, starting at 5:45pm, led by Rabbi Naftali Chayn.
There will be no kiddush or shalosh seudos this week.
Mazel Tov to Mr. and Mrs. Yudi Levitansky on the engagement daughter, Estee, to Benny Rudansky from Huntington NY. Mazel Tov to the grandmother, Mrs. Vivian Sklar.
Mazel Tov to Rabbi and Mrs. Yehoshua Pinkus on the upcoming marriage of their son, Yosef Chaim to Chumi Goldwag. Mazel Tov to the grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Pinkus and to the great-grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Seymour Lepp.
Mazel Tov to Mr. and Mrs. David Weinschneider and Mrs. Devorah Weinschneider on the engagement of their daughter, Batsheva, to Mottie Cohen.
Chodesh Adar is sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. David Hartman leilui nishmas his grandparents, Nesanel ben Shmuel Mordechai,Zev Velvel ben R' Yitzchak Isaac, and Chaya Leah bas R' Yosef.
Boys groups is in the upstairs classroom at 10:00am.
