COVID – 19 Information
Dear Temple Solel Community,
We know this is an overwhelming and uncertain time. We at Temple Solel want to do our part to keep our community safe and healthy.
At this time, we have no known cases of the COVID-19 virus within the Temple Solel community.
The principle of Pikuach Nefesh, “saving a life,” is paramount in our tradition. It overrides all other laws including the observance of Shabbat. Our clergy and leadership team has been meeting regularly to make prudent adjustments to review our programs and protocols in response to the most current information of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Our decisions are based on recommendations of the CDC, Arizona Department of Health Services and our local community. Therefore we are now a virtual community, we will be available to you through email and phone (480-991-7414). In other words, the physical doors of the congregation will not be open to the public. We will reassess as the situation evolves. Here is what being a “virtual” community means: Erev Shabbat and Torah Study will be available online. Links will be available through our weekly eNUZ email to our members. We will be seeking additional ways to build community in creative ways, taking advantage of technologies available to us and in which we have invested.
- Preschool – The Solel Preschool will open on August 19. Mary Ann and her team are also providing resources for online, age-appropriate learning to our families.
- Raker Religious School – The Raker Religious School classes will begin online on August 16. Tobee Waxenberg and her team are also providing resources for virtual, age-appropriate learning to our families.
- Bnei Mitzvah Tutoring – As of today all tutoring will be held virtually. Please contact your tutor directly for those instructions.
- K’hilot – Our wonderful K’hilot are encouraged to maintain a virtual community and practice social distancing. Please contact Jacquelyn jnull@templesolel.org to get involved.
- Life Cycle Events – Life cycle events such as funerals are to be reviewed with our clergy team on a case by case basis.
- Pastoral Care – As always, if you or a loved one are in need of pastoral care because of a birth, illness, or loss, please contact Jelena Santiago jsantiago@templesolel.org 480-991-7414 x 126.
- Caring Community – As always, if you need help during this time please reach out to Temple Solel Caring Community at caring@templesolel.org
- Committee Meetings – All essential Committee meetings will be done online or by conference call. Please coordinate with the Temple Solel office 480-991-7414.
- Cleaning – Our maintenance crew continues to follow our enhanced cleaning protocols. We are adding regular electrostatic disinfection to our cleaning regimen.
Please let us know if you are on self-isolation, mandatory quarantine, have traveled recently to an area of concern. Contact Peter Pishko, ppishko@templesolel.org or 480-991-7414 x 124, and we can help connect you with the right resources within our community.
We are aware that the impact of COVID-19 may create a financial hardship for members of Temple Solel. As members of the Solel community struggle to buy food, medicine, basic items, and pay the rent, we want to be able to provide some relief. In order to do so, Rabbi Linder has established Temple Solel’s Hardship Relief Fund.
Additionally, as we take further steps to protect the congregation and greater community through social distancing, we want to be sure to combat social isolation. Temple Solel’s Caring Community will be working to expand our reach to meet the growing needs. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to call the Temple for requests you may have. We’ll do our best to be there for one another. That’s what community is all about!
Please understand, this is not an alarmist response. We are acting in a responsible and level-headed way; taking the most credible, reason-based recommendations and protocols into consideration. As this is an evolving situation, we will continue to monitor and will update you if/when we need to make additional changes. Our apologies for the disruption this decision will cause to our community. Please continue to check our website for more updates.
Shavuah tov – may it be a good and healthy week for all,
Doreen Feldberg, President Board of Trustees
Rabbi John A. Linder
Peter Pishko, Executive Director
