From the President – Dec. 10, 2021

Oops!  Obviously I didn’t have enough time to edit my message last week.  I wrote it days before our decision to remain online for our Shabbat service.  As my parents liked to remind me, “Man plans and God laughs.”

I don’t know if it is optimism or audacity, but now we plan to gather for our first hybrid in person and online Erev Shabbat service on Friday, December 17.  We will follow the same protocols we planned for last week and require that all in attendance in person be vaccinated and masked and we will use HEPA filter units for the safety of those who attend.
This will be the first time we use the necessary technology, so there may be issues that will require your patience, but Rabbi Dean and I have been working very hard to make the experience as glitch free and meaningful as we can.
The technical challenges are significant, but I am excited about the possibilities.  We get to pray together in person while those who for whatever reason would find it difficult to come to our synagogue may choose to join us online.  Even members of our community who are sick, or out of town, or just tired from the workweek may be included in our observances.
I am confident that our technology is ready, so I am looking forward to seeing you next week.
To help us prepare, please remember to send your and your family’s vaccine and booster certifications to Louise Snitz (to llsnitz@gmail.com or text 510-224-0345).

If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
If I am not for others, what am I?
And if not now, when? 
-Rabbi Hillel

~ Michael R Cohen, President, Temple Beth Hillel