From the President – Dec. 3, 2021

Tonight we were going to gather for our first hybrid in person and online Erev Shabbat service. Due to the Omicron variant we have made the difficult decision to cancel. Even though we will all be vaccinated and masked and we will use HEPA filter units we need more information to ensure the safety of those who attend. In the spirit of Hanukkah, we hope to come together in 2 weeks.
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.
As we light our Hanukkah candles together tonight in celebration of the great miracle that happened there, let’s also celebrate our emergence from the isolation of the pandemic.
See you tonight. Shabbat Shalom.

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