Reminders:

  • Mincha Erev Shabbos at 13:30, 18:00 and 19:33
  • Weekday MINCHA GEDOLAH: 13:21 instead of 13:15 for the next few weeks.
  • Mrs. Rachel Links is sitting shiva now through Sunday. See the newsletter for exact times.
  • See the “Safety Guidelines” section (below) for the new procedures we have implemented in response to the the latest government-mandated rules for synagogues,
  • Shabbos Shiurim with the Rav:
    • The Rav’s shiur on Beis Elokim written by the Mabit takes place this and every Shabbos at about 08:05.
    • The Rav’s Pirkei Avos takes place immediately after the 3rd Mincha (approximately 18:24). It is open to both men and women.
  • Weekday Shiurim with the Rav:
  • Only some of the weekday minyonim are in place. Please see schedule below.
  • American Friends of Ahavas Shalom Inc. (a 501c3 Corporation in New York State) is now up and running. Donations are deductible as per the USA Tax Law. See www.ahavasshalom.com for details about donations.
  • Contact Mrs. Miriam Zakoo, the Ahavas Shalom Administrative Secretary, to pay your membership dues or make a donation to the Kehilla.

Good Shabbos!

Safety Guidelines

Another day…another set of rules.

Government is now restricting synagogue capacity to 20 men in each space of the synagogue. (source: https://govextra.gov.il/MINISTRY-OF-HEALTH/CORONA/CORONA-VIRUS-EN/GUIDELINES.) To accommodate this new requirement, we will implement the following during the week:

  1. All Minyonim (except 07:45) will start in the Beis Medrash.
  2. If there are more than 20 people at the start of the minyon, then the minyon will be split into two, with the second minyon going to the Hall.
  3. The 07:45 Minyon will be split into two sections from the beginning, with one section in the hall.
  4. Members have preference to these 20 spaces.
  5. A gabbai has the right to ask a non-member to either leave or become a member if there is no space for a member. However, we ask that members try to arrive on time to avoid this situation.

For Shabbos, we will implement the following procedure:

  1. The Beis Medrash will be divided into 3 “capsules”, plus a fourth “capsule” in the new room for ladies. 20 people maximum per capsule.
  2. We believe that this will be sufficient space for the membership in all minyonim, and as such we will not have a sign-in sheet.
  3. The following three minyomin will be for adult members only until the time stated in parenthesis:
    1. Friday Night “regular” minyon (until Barchu)
    2. Shabbos Day (until Shochane Ad)
    3. Shabbos Mincha 18:00 (until u’va l’tzion)
  4. After the time stated in () above, non-adult children of members and non-members will be permitted entry on an “as available” basis. Therefore, members should be on time in order to guarantee their space.

The mask policy has not changed and anyone on the property is required by law to wear a mask. If you have a medical condition which legally exempts you from wearing a mask, please notify the Gabbai.

We hope to accommodate women in the fourth “capsule” in the hall.

As always, if you have questions or concerns, please discuss them with either a vaad member or Rabbi Naftali Kaplan, the Head Gabbai.