Letter to Tzemach Tzedek Members and Mispallelim

Dear Member of Anash שיחי'

ברוך שהחיינו וקימנו והגיענו לזמן הזה

After two months of absolute lockdown, we have taken the cautious step to slowly reopen the shul. After consulting with medical professionals and, of course, Rabbinic guidance of our rov, Rav Lesches, we have decided to begin establishing some of the minyanim at shul. Currently, NYS guidelines allow no more than ten people per room, provided they maintain the mandatory six feet of “social distancing.” 

Bearing that in mind we have decided to commence daily minyanim, retroactive to Wednesday, May 13/19 Iyar. These last week or so has been a “dry run” to see how this would work. Baruch Hashem, we have been successful in maintaining the guidelines. Overflow (more than 10) crowds are sent to adjoining rooms. People also wear masks.

This Shabbos the schedule will be as follows: Friday Mincha will be at 8:10. Kabbolas Shabbos will follow immediately. The mikvah will be closed. Shabbos morning Tehillim at 8:30 and Shachris in the main shul at 10:00am. There will be a second minyan at 10:30 downstairs. Please bring a mask and wear it in shul all through davening. We ask that people not congregate in the halls.

PLEASE DO NOT BRING CHILDREN UNDER BAR MITZVAH TO SHUL.

The Ladies’ section will be closed to ladies and will be used for overflow.  Due to the situation members will get preferential seating. Although there are no OFFICIAL age restrictions, if you are elderly or wary about coming to shul discuss it with the rov. If you have any symptoms at all, please stay home!

We expect to be able to seat 40 people, spread out among the main shul, the veiber shul, the small shul and downstairs. 

The shul will be closing at 1:00. After that time nobody should remain on shul grounds.  Shabbos Mincha will be at 7:55pm, with Maariv at 9:05.

Sunday morning Shachris  will take place at 8:00 and 10:00 am. Monday-Friday Shachris will be at 7:00 and 10:00am. Mincha will be at 8:10 all week, followed by Maariv at 8:52. The usual schedule will IYH go out as well. 

Until further notice it is most practical that only one minyan take place at a time even if there are two chiyuvim, unless moves to the outside or downstairs, if available.

We ask that everybody keep to the rules -both shul and health - and avoid any discomfort by not adhering to them. Needless to say talking during davening should be avoided like the…. plague.

Avrohom Polinger, President - Hershel Rosenbluh, Gabbai