Coronavirus Community Updates
SEED and all of our temple facilities are currently closed. We are all dealing with unprecedented and difficult times.
No matter how unimaginable the circumstances of our world, no matter how much our reality changes day by day, our mission stays the same. We are here to create a sacred community that nourishes and supports each of us. We may have to change the way we design our moments of connection, but—even in the time of the novel Coronavirus—living our mission is still our number one priority.
During these weeks of the pandemic, we have come together as a sacred community in new and unusual ways—our clergy and professionals arrive in your daily inbox with our Video Yomi (message of the day) - to view all of our Video Yomi's click here. Hundreds of you are present for Shabbat services from the comfort of your own Shabbat table - to view all of our Shabbat Services click here. Temple Beth Am’s clergy and professional team are thrilled to launch a new structure for gathering b’yachad/together, designed explicitly to respond to the urgency of this moment: Beth Am Online B’Yachad.
Click here to listen to Rabbi Ruth's newest audio essay about Passover - "Celebrating Freedom" - or read it here.
Click here to download Temple Beth Am's Passover Haggadah Supplement.
We recognize that we cannot simply lift our synagogue programs that took place in our building on NE 80th Street and transfer them online. Instead, we must focus on what matters most, finding new, more relevant ways to connect with each other during this unprecedented time. We will do what Jews have always done—pray, learn, and gather in community—but we will do so a little differently. Click here for our FAQ.
In addition to our Video Yomi and Shabbat services, we are thrilled to host live weekly gathering spots—places where we can connect and interact with each other (see below in the Online Events section). We will also provide web-based resources that can enrich your experience of Temple Beth Am as a beit tefillah, a house of prayer; a beit midrash, a house of learning; and a beit kehillah, a house of communal gathering.
Online Events
This Week's Live Gatherings in Beth Am's Zoom Room:
Due to increased security procedures, please use the updated Zoom links. There could be a short delay to be welcomed into each event. Contact temple@templebetham.org if you need support.
Sunday, April 5th at 7PM in Beth Am's Zoom Room: Entering the Week B’Yachad, time for music, meditation, and prayer with Rabbi Ruth
Monday, April 6th, Tuesday, April 7th, & Wednesday, April 8th at 11AM in Federation's Zoom Room: PJ Library Song & Storytime with Betsy Dischel
Tuesday, April 7th available on Vimeo (can be viewed anytime): Early Childhood Seder with Rabbi Dana
Tuesday, April 7th at 4PM in Beth Am's Zoom Room: A Passover Unlike All Others Part 2 with Rabbi Jason
Thursday, April 9th in your inbox: An extended Passover Video Yomi with Rabbi Dana, featuring the music of Passover Festival Service (Please note that Creating B'yachad with Rabbi Dana and Youth & Teen Hang-out will not be meeting Thursday this week)
Friday, April 10th at 10AM in Beth Am's Zoom Room: Learning with the Rabbis, Torah Study for our time
Friday, April 10 & Saturday, April 11 on Vimeo (links sent out on Friday): Shabbat Passover video services with our rabbis and special guest Shoshana Stombaugh
Passover Yizkor Service: Wednesday, April 15 at 10:30AM in Beth Am's Zoom Room: A livestream Passover Yizkor service with our rabbis
Homeless to Renter (H2R)
For over 15 years Temple Beth Am’s Homeless to Renter (H2R) program, in partnership with Jewish Family Services, has been helping families facing homelessness. In the last few months, H2R has also added eviction prevention grants of up to $1500 for families in need.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, JFS Emergency Services Director, Sandy Lowe tells us that they are now expecting a tsunami of requests for eviction prevention funding, due to job losses, reduced hours and illnesses related to COVID-19.
You can help our those struggling in our community by making a donation to H2R today - click here. 100% of the money raised goes directly to H2R grantees.
