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Dear Beth Hillel Family,
 

With the news that Wisconsin's Governor Evers has proclaimed a "Stay at Home" order that went into effect Tuesday, March 24, we have been forced to close the synagogue until further notice. 

Rabbi Feingold and our office manager, Philipp Butnik, are working from Home.

However, Beth Hillel will continue to operate and have programming and services, using various remote and virtual tools.  We have already begun to do so with great results!
 

Rabbi Feingold, office manager, Philipp Butnik, and bookkeeper, David Lauer, will continue their normal hours from home: 

• Temple "offices" will still be closed on Mondays. 
• Philipp's hours will be 10am - 4pm, Tue - Fri. 
• David will do our bookkeeping on Thursdays.

When you leave a phone message, as always, it will be picked up and responded to by Philipp or Rabbi Feingold, depending on which voicemail box you leave your message in. 

For emergencies, Rabbi's cell # is 262-221-5643.  Unfortunately, current rules do not allow her to visit hospitals or homes for pastoral calls.  Rabbi Feingold is available for "in-person" meetings in a phone call or face-time format. Please send her an email or leave her a voicemail at 262-654-2716 ( Ext 1) to set up a time to talk. 

Wayne Gooder will remain in the building, filling some limited security and safety functions.  The Kenosha Police Department was informed that our building is closed.  A request for extra attention during this indefinite period was acknowledged.

MITZVAH CORPS/VOLUNTEERS:  Our top priority is to keep in touch with our members, ascertain their needs, and provide help where we can.  When a need  is known, younger and lower risk individuals will deliver supplies and meals to those who should not venture out. If you need assistance, or if you can volunteer to make phone calls or fulfill needs, please contact Mitzvah Corps chair Debra Solomon.

SERVICES: We will be streaming services at the BHT Facebook page on our usual schedule.  The weekly eNews and the BHT Website, www.bethhillel.net will have a full list of service times and types of services offered for the coming weeks.  You may download the prayer books we use at BHT FREE as “flip books” at this link:  https://www.ccarpress.org/content.asp?tid=583.  If you wish to buy the siddur as a book or a Kindle eReader, you can find those options as well.

BSBH SCHOOL:  Soon, our staff will be meeting to discuss ways of connecting with our students so that Jewish learning can continue in creative, age appropriate ways.  We will begin with Hebrew studies.As soon as we have further information, the school families will be notified.  In the meantime, here is a link to the URJ podcast Stories We Tell for a treasure trove of Jewish stories.  A song session with all of the kids' favorites was recorded by song leader, Ari Goldstein at the BHT Facebook page!

ADULT EDUCATION:  BHT has acquired Zoom interactive technology and discovered other apps and platforms so that meetings and classes can continue.  Perhaps some of you can now take a class you did not have time for before!  If you are interested, contacts are listed below:

• Pirkei Avot class  -Bi-monthly Tuesday night 7:00pm -
  Rabbi Feingold
• Torah Study - Bi-monthly on Shabbat morning at 9:15am -Rabbi Feingold (please provide your email AND phone number)
• Great Decisions, monthly on Sunday mornings- Esther Letven
• Adult Hebrew - Terri Thornton (sorry no newcomers at this point)
• Musar - Terri Thornton (no newcomers at this time)
• Mah Jong -Esther Letven (using a Mahjong app!)
• Book Club - Karen Solomon

PASSOVER INFORMATION:  Regrettably, home Seders should not include those beyond those living in the home.  Therefore, on Thursday night, April 9 at 6:00pm, Rabbi Feingold will host a VIRTUAL Community Seder, using Zoom technology. Details to follow.  Some of you may be interested in hosting your own virtual Seder.  For a how-to training, click here.

BHT is able to offer a Passover Supplies order and delivery service, thanks to Lucy Letven-Stanton, who is providing the service for her Bat Mitzvah project!  Click here for further information and for the order form. Make sure to login to access the online form. If you need a login or forgot your password, please contact Philipp.

Stay safe and healthy.  And remember that the steps you take to limit your interaction with others, even if you feel well, may very well save lives! 
 

You may find this poem called Pandemic by Lynn Unger meaningful.

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Resources for further information:
Centers for Disease Control 
Wisconsin Department of Public Health
Kenosha County Health Department
Create a meaningful Shabbat at home