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Covid-19 Programs

Covid-19 Programs & Resources

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CBE Caring Community support for COVID-19

Congregation Beth Emeth (CBE) wants to help any congregant who is self-isolating by running errands such as grocery shopping and medication pickups. Please take a look at the sign up genius and let us know if you need assistance or if you are someone who can help out others. Or if you prefer, contact Executive Director Melissa Heifetz or Rabbi Mina.

If you have been affected economically, we have some limited funds available to help members with immediate expenses. Please contact  Melissa Heifetz or Rabbi Mina. -- all information in this regard is confidential.

How to "attend" CBE worship services online

While the building is closed and during a transition time when many aren't comfortable attending in person, Beth Emeth worship services will be conducted online through Zoom, a free online video conference service. There is no dress code for attending services online, however your experience may feel more "real" if you dress the way you would for services in the sanctuary – including a kippah during all services and tallit on Saturday & Sunday mornings (if you would wear one at synagogue). 

Here are the links you will need to watch our services online:

Regular Weekly Services

Wednesday Minyan 
Friday Kabbalat Shabbat Service 
Saturday Shabbat Morning Service 
Pirkei Avot Study Session 
Sunday Minyan

Shiva Minyan

During this time when we will be holding shiva online, Zoom links will be shared via email. You can download the Shiva Minyan service in order to participate fully from home.

Notes about Using Zoom:

  • You do not need a Zoom account to join a service ("meeting") on Zoom.
  • You can participate in a Zoom service ("meeting") on a tablet or smartphone as well as on a PC. In each case, click on the link to the service, and the first time you will be asked to download an app before you can "join the meeting."  To become familiar with the program (and download the app in advance), you can join a "test meeting."
  • Zoom allows users to implement a photo as a background. If you would like to use the sanctuary photo shown here, click for a larger image to download.

Additional general information about CBE worship services is available at www.bethemeth.org/services.  

Questions? Contact office@bethemeth.org.

In-Person Services Option

Reservations Required

We look forward to seeing you if you are able to join us for in-person services over the coming months! In order to maintain distancing we must limit attendance at in-person services, so we have created an online reservation system that will be updated each week for the following week's services. Information about requirements and policies is also at this link.

Reservations for each week's services with an in-person option will open Sunday at 10:30 AM, and close the following Wednesday at noon. Services on the signup each week will include Wednesday evening minyan, Friday evening Erev Shabbat service, Saturday morning Shabbat service (starting in August) and Sunday morning minyan.

Reserve Now

Please note that each first-time attendee must complete & return (or bring) a completed waiver form. Also, before coming to Wednesday & Sunday minyanim you are asked to complete a self-screening, including taking your temperature (screening will be done at the door on Shabbat when we start in-person Shabbat services). If you have any questions about reservations, please contact  office@bethemeth.org.

Please also review the Service Safety & Screening Summary -- note masks are required at all times while in the building.

And if you prefer to join us online, please continue to use the links above and in the weekly e-news.

CBE Online Activities & Classes

 

If you have any questions about Zoom or if you have an idea for creating and leading additional classes/discussion groups, please contact Melissa Heifetz at melissa@bethemeth.org.  

Pirkei Avot Study Session

Pirkei Avot, also known as Ethics of the Fathers, is a five-chapter that book stands on its own as one of the greatest collections of rabbinic teachings on ethics, spirituality, morality, Jewish history, and Torah study. 

Zoom in My Room - Tuesday Group Conversation

After participating in the Zoom ritual services that CBE is offering, Robyn realized that as much as she enjoyed the services spiritually, she really just enjoyed seeing faces, many faces, a group of faces. So she decided to launch a Zoom group called “Zoom in my Room - Group Conversation." Bring a cup of coffee, a sparkling beverage or just yourself and let's have a get together, share a funny story, share a good idea or just smile. We all need contact with others.

Book Discussion Group

  • Every Thursday at 4:00 PM - Starting March 26
  • Led by Executive Director Melissa Heifetz
  • Zoom Link

We will discuss books as chosen by the group, one or two chapters at a time.

Weekly Discussion Group for Parents of Children with Special Needs

  • Every Wednesday at 11:00 AM - Starting March25
  • Led by Traci Levin
  • If you are interested, please contact melissa@bethemeth.org.

Interruptions to schedule and routine can be especially difficult for those caring for children (no matter the age) with special needs. Please join our weekly discussion group for support and companionship. 

Pozez JCC Widow/Widower Support Group

  • Monthly, Wednesdays at 5:15 PM
  • Led by Dr. Rebecca Fleischer
  • Please contact Laurie Albert  at laurie.albert@theJ.org for the registration link.

This monthly program, organized by the Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia and hosted by Congregation Beth Emeth, will be meeting online through Zoom while in-person meetings are not possible. This free support group is open to anyone who has recently and not-so-recently lost a husband, wife or partner. Join us for an open forum frank discussion with a focus on grief, bereavement and continuing on after great loss.

Weekly Bridge Game

  • Every Monday at 1:30 PM
  • Led by David Kamerling

Along with many other activities, the CBE Bridge group has shifted to a virtual meeting for its weekly game. We will use Bridge Base Online (BBO) to play from the comfort of our homes. We intend to continue meeting in cyberspace in accordance with Beth Emeth's calendar until the building reopens. If you are interested in playing bridge with other CBE members, please contact David Kamerling.

​People of the Book Read the Book – The Writing

  • After August 5, 2020, this class will go on hiatus until after the High Holidays. 
  • Taught by Rabbi Michelle “Mina” Goldsmith
  • Wednesdays 12:00 PM-1:30 PM (Check the online calendar for exceptions)
  • Zoom link

In Ecclesiastes we read that there is nothing new under the sun. As we enter the 2020 election cycle, join Rabbi Mina for a close reading of the books of Samuel and Kings to learn just how true this is. We will join together each Wednesday for a close reading of the text in order to gain insight into Jewish history, human nature, the challenges of leadership, and the origin of politics as we know it. Prior attendance in this class is not required.

Beyond Dispute – Debates That Have Shaped and Still Shape Jewish Life

  • Taught by Rabbi Michelle “Mina” Goldsmith
  • Select Sundays -- will resume in the fall!

Debates—philosophical, spiritual, ethical, and cultural—are at the heart of Judaism and Jewish life. Are religion and reason compatible? Can Jewish law change based on context? Each session includes a short video lecture featuring a Jewish Theological Seminary faculty member, text study, and guided group discussion. We will explore how these debates have been manifested over the course of Jewish history, and discuss their continued resonance today.Free online class during shutdown; no registration required. More info on this class is on the Adult Education page. No previous participation required.

Chug Ivri: Hebrew Conversation

Chug Ivri button image

  • Tuesdays, 7:30 PM
  • Intermediate conversation level and above
  • If interested, contact susan@bethemeth.org.

A very informal, friendly group of mostly Beth Emeth members who meet for friendly conversation, usually in homes twice a month, but currently "meeting" on Zoom every week. While members come and go, the group has been in existence for over 20 years. During this time of meeting remotely is a great chance to check us out! Conversation is entirely in Hebrew but it's ok to ask how to say something. Sometimes we listen to a song or watch a short video or read a short article or poem and discuss together.

CBE Virtual Religious School

Congregation Beth Emeth Religious School provides vibrant and engaging Jewish learning for students in grades K-10th.

When we open school in fall 2020, we will learn together in new ways, which will rely on digital teacher-led classes, as well as social community class gatherings (hopefully in person).

More information about our Religious School design will be forthcoming; please feel free to reach out to Ellie (ellie@bethemeth.org) if you have questions throughout the summer. 

Virtual BEECC

Message from BEECC Director Robin Cohen

With a ruach filled drive by good bye, and a meaningful virtual and social distance Siyum for our BEECC graduates, we ended our 2019-20 school year on a high note, regardless of all the chaos surrounding us.  We are now doing our best to figure out our plan for reopening BEECC with safety and the well-being of our community as our highest priority.  As no one knows what the conditions will be like in September, our approach to creating a re-opening plan for BEECC for the 2020-21 school year will be based on multiple factors, including the public health recommendations from:

  • The Fairfax County Health Department
  • The Virginia Department of Health
  • The CDC
  • The local, state and federal statutes and regulations
  • The expertise from qualified members on our CBE COVID task force
  • Parent perspectives
     

Our overall goal is to balance keeping our community as safe as possible while allowing us to move forward with experiences that best meet everyone’s needs and desires.  

Please stay tuned, and feel free to reach out to Robin or Renee at beeccinfo@bethemeth.org with any questions.

Sat, August 8 2020 18 Av 5780