President’s Message: Covid-19 Update
November 17, 2020
Dear fellow congregants:
When the Re-Imagining Committee met in early October, we anticipated announcing our plans for “hybrid” Shabbat services to begin this month, with a small group gathering in the sanctuary with Rabba Kaya for a service also streamed on Zoom. Regrettably, the numbers in New Hampshire and the country are not moving in the right direction for us to gather safely indoors. Based on current trends, we expect to continue holding events outdoors when possible, and virtually otherwise, for at least the next month.
While disappointed and concerned about the current rate of Covid transmission, we are grateful for the following bright spots:
- Recent announcement by Pfizer and Moderna of their successful vaccine data. We understand that full deployment of any vaccine is still months away but this gives us hope that progress WILL be measured in months, rather than years.
- Closer to home, one of our cherished Hanukkah traditions already takes place outside, as we light candles in the “Hands of Hope” menorah and pray together. Stay tuned for more details about plans to both light–and warm–the December nights of Hanukkah!
- The beautiful weather we’ve enjoyed has made possible many opportunities to gather in person, and you have taken full advantage. We are so appreciative of the volunteers who planned these events, and the congregation, too, for diligently wearing masks and maintaining physical distance to protect one another.
- Staff and volunteers continue to learn and improve as we practice with the technology that lets us connect from home. We’re reviewing the High Holiday survey to find out the technical difficulties people experienced, so we can address them moving forward.
As always, please reach out with many questions or concerns.
L’shalom,
Amy Hyett
