TIC Building Closed
March 8, 2020
Dear Friends,

Our TIC COVID-19 response team continues to work diligently and non-stop to monitor and process all information surrounding the local outbreak.  We have some important updates to share

TIC Building Closing
  • This evening we received notice that a member of the HIWP community has tested positive for COVID-19.  This person was in our facility on February 29 for HIWP Shabbat morning services and was asymptomatic at that time.  
  • As a result, we are suspending all building activities and closing the TIC facility until further notice.  Effective immediately, TIC is closed for all activities including Nursery School, Purim, Shabbat and minyan services, Shorashim and Havurat Torah, etc.   
  • We are in communication with the Westchester Department of Health to understand next steps including determining whether any quarantine is required.  We will provide a further update as soon as possible.
 
Purim at TIC
As Purim enters this week, we continue to have in our hearts and minds all those suffering from COVID-19 along with those throughout our community who have been quarantined or otherwise affected by this public health situation.  At an anxious and unsettling time, please know that your clergy and leadership are here to be of help in any way that we can.  

While we can't hold services in person, the Conservative Movement's Committee on Jewish Law and Standards has ruled that hearing the Megillah being read via telephone or livestreaming is permitted when necessary, so long as the sound is undistorted, live, and not a recording .   You will find halakhic (Jewish legal) resources below as well as links to a variety of Conservative congregations who will be livestreaming the Megillah both Erev Purim and Purim Day.

We will arrange for Mishloach Manot pickup once the building re-opens.

Halakhic Resources on the Permissibility of Listening to Megillah via Telephone or Internet:

From the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards:

From Rabbi David Golinkin, Professor of Jewish Law at the Schechter Institute in Jerusalem:


Livestream Links:

Megillah reading 6:30 PM, Monday March 9 th and 7:00 AM, Tuesday, March 10 th  

Megillah reading 8:00 PM (with spiel at 7:00 PM), Monday March 9 th  

Abbreviated Megillah reading 6:00 PM, Monday March 9 th and full Megillah reading 7:45 AM, Tuesday March 10 th 

Megillah reading 6:45 PM, Monday March 9 th  

Additional information:
  • A new hotline number has been set up for those that suspect they may be infected and have viral symptoms including a fever: 855-626-7662.
  • Links to all of TIC's COVID-19 emails can be found on our website.  
  • A specific Westchester hotline number has been established for those who are under self quarantine: 866-588-0195.
  • General COVID-19 questions can be directed to Westchester's 211 hotline number (8am - 10pm, seven days a week). Information is also available on the Hudson Valley 211 website and the United Way Westchster-Putnam website . 
  • Reminder : If you think you may be symptomatic, do not go to the emergency room -- you must call ahead before arrival to avoid putting other people at risk. For White Plains Hospital, call 914-681-2900 and press number 2. You may also call your doctor for guidance.
Please continue to watch your email as we will be sending out communications with more details.  And please know that even as we are temporarily unable to gather in person, we remain TIC - together in community.
                
Marc Berman                  Rabbi Annie Tucker                 Mara Braunfeld              Jeremy Perler  
President                         Senior Rabbi                            Director of Learning     Security Chair   
                                                                                        and Engagement