Dear Friends,
During this challenging time, we have tried to find a path to some sense of normalcy. We are grateful that we have been able to virtually gather as a community. Being able to pray and learn together, via Zoom, has helped so many of us feel connected. Your impressive facility and flexibility have made this shift possible.
We are now contemplating how we will be able to celebrate the upcoming High Holidays. We are considering numerous variables and will keep you informed as decisions are made. One conclusion feels clear to both the lay and professional leadership of the synagogue. For the sake of equity, as well as safety, we will not be opening the synagogue for a large gathering of our congregants until our building can be open to all. Therefore, we will not all be gathering in the Sanctuary for either Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur this year.
Gathering in large groups is certainly not yet permitted in New York City – and probably will not be in September. Even with the permission for gatherings of up to 10 people for religious services, we have refrained from doing so. That decision was made from concern for the safety and wellbeing of our community as well as from a sense of equity. We do not want to decide who would and who would not be allowed to join communal Shabbat prayers and we certainly do not want to have to make those decisions for the High Holidays. The decision to permit using Zoom and Livestream for our prayers makes that a more comfortable and equitable choice.
In the coming weeks, a special High Holiday Task Force is meeting to make recommendations for the best possible use of our resources. We will be discussing how we proceed with all aspects of our High Holiday celebrations for all ages. We want to create a deep and uplifting experience on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur for all who wish to participate.
We are looking forward to celebrating the New Year together and enjoying a meaningful and inspiring High Holiday season.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Larry Sebert & Cantor Shayna Postman
Nina Lehman, President & Sharon Steinberg, Ritual Chair
Shalom
We're staying Socially Connected at T&V!
While maintaining our physical distance, we are doing everything in our power to maintain our social and spiritual connections. We are grateful to offer multiple opportunities to connect over Zoom for virtual prayer, learning and community.
Pikuach Nefesh/preservation of life is our highest concern as Jews and as members of society. As such, Town & Village Synagogue, led by our clergy, staff and volunteers, is maintaining a robust program of VIRTUAL classes, meetings and prayer services during this period of time. Rabbi Gold and our Hebrew School teachers have created a wonderful Online Hebrew School and will stay in touch with our families about ongoing Youth & Family events.
Until such a time that we are able to be together again in person, we are pleased to offer the following opportunities to be Alone Together:
Virtual Morning Minyan
Sundays @ 9:30 AM
Monday-Friday @ 8:30 AM
-- followed by coffee with the clergy.
Virtual Shabbat Services
Minhah & Kabbalat Shabbat
Fridays @ 6:00 PM
Saturdays @ 9:30 AM
Ma'ariv & Havdalah
Saturday - please check the calendar for the weekly time
For a Shabbat greeting from Cantor Postman & Rabbi Sebert click the following link: https://youtu.be/
To download a copy of the relevant sections of Siddur Sim Shalom, go to the following link and follow the instructions: RabbinicalAssembly Download-E-Siddur
FOR ALL LINKS AND MEETING IDs, check the email from Announcements@tandv.org
Guests, please contact ExecDirector@tandv.org for all Links & ID numbers.
Generally, individual meetings and lessons with Rabbi Sebert and Cantor Postman will take place as scheduled, but will be online instead of in person.
While we are being physically distant, let’s all make an extra effort to be there for one another over phone, email and/or video. If you are feeling lonely and isolated and would like to set up a virtual appointment with Rabbi Sebert or Cantor Postman, please contact them to set up a time to connect over the phone or video.
We look forward to a time when we will be able to come together again in person.
We continue our prayers for healing of body and spirit.
SHALOM!
We are delighted to welcome you to Town & Village Synagogue, where we take great pride in being especially welcoming to newcomers. But don’t take our word for it, come on in and experience it for yourself.
More about T&V:
Town & Village Synagogue is a diverse community that offers numerous paths towards religious and spiritual fulfillment. Our approach to Judaism is egalitarian and open — welcoming all in your Jewish life; singles, couples, families of all backgrounds, people all genders and all aspirations to join us in “Building Community and Commitment”. At the same time, we are traditional in our ritual practice and are committed to the ideals of Conservative Judaism.
T&V offers a community: a sense of family and belonging that is invaluable and enriching. It is here, with our extended “family,” that we celebrate our joys together and comfort each other in difficult times.
We make T&V membership accessible to all who wish to join. We offer a variety of membership options and payment plans, and special arrangements can be made for all households who may need financial assistance simply by contacting our Executive Director at execdirector@tandv.org or 212 677 8090 x20.
To apply for membership, please fill out the 2019-20 T&V Membership Information and Payment Forms and send in or email to the office.
We invite you to join T&V and look forward to a long and meaningful relationship. And if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to call us.
Warm wishes to all for a Happy, Healthy and Sweet New Year,
Laurence A. Sebert Nina Lehman
Rabbi President
rabbi@tandv.org president@tandv.org
212.677.8090 ext. 23