Dear CRS Community,
 
As the situation with COVID-19 evolves and we learn new information each day, we are evaluating how we can help to ensure the health and safety of our community. These measures should not raise additional alarm or fear. We are all in this together.
 
With everyone’s safety in mind, we have made the decision to cancel the Purim Carnival for this Monday, March 9 . The nature of the carnival, which includes a high degree of physical interaction, presents an unnecessary risk for our community. We are also cancelling the teen program which was scheduled for 7:30 pm.
 
A Frozen Purim Schpiel will run as scheduled at 5:30 pm in the Main Sanctuary and we will offer packaged snacks to take home. We are excited to perform our chilling schpiel and encourage you all to come in your best Purim costumes, ready to celebrate and let it go! Please bring a box of macaroni to use as a grogger/noisemaker; all boxes will be donated to the West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH) at the end of the night.

The CDC recommends that older adults and people who have severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease should stay home as much as possible. If you cannot attend the schpiel it will be streamed live on our livestream page .

We are also postponing Beer, Brauts and Purim Pong: Brotherhood’s Purim After Dark, originally scheduled for Monday, March 9, to a future date.
 
Unmasking the Mystery of Purim – our Megillah reading with Rabbi Greg Weitzman and Student Cantor Toby Glaser - will take place on Tuesday, March 10 at 8:00 am.
 
We continue to follow the recommendations of the New York City Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the evolving status of COVID-19 and will update our members immediately should conditions at CRS change.
 
The Department of Health and Office of Emergency Management has asked that we recommend the following precautions:
 
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or sleeve (into the bend of your elbow)
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Wash your hands regularly with soap or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer
  • Avoid touching your face, or at least wash/sterilize your hands before you do
  • If you are at an event that serves food, be mindful. Do not cough or sneeze near the food. Do not handle food directly; use utensils when moving food to your plate
  • Get your flu shot – it’s never too late
  • Stay home if you’re feeling sick. Call your doctor and let them know your symptoms, travel history, and if you’ve had contact with people who are sick
 
We will continue to communicate with you frequently and clearly so that you have the most recent news about our efforts. For more information regarding Congregation Rodeph Sholom’s COVID-19 preparedness, please visit our website . Let's all work together to keep each other safe.
Barbara Zakin
Executive Director