COVID-19 & SHS Updates

Dear Society Hill Synagogue members, staff, and guests,

These are truly trying times. The rapid spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) has stunned us all. Society Hill Synagogue is committed to supporting our community through this pandemic, and updated communication and alternative ways to reach out to one another during periods of social distancing are essential to doing so.

The primary platform we are using to facilitate these connection points is Zoom. Zoom enables us to see live video of each other in large groups. Phone is also always be an option for folks who simply want to call in. If you’re new to Zoom or want a quick refresher on how to use this videoconferencing app, here is a great guide.

We’ve created a live schedule to serve as one central location with all of our Zoom links for SHS Shabbat candle lighting and Kiddush, services, daily minyan, beit midrash study, and more programs. If you would like access to it, please email Sahar Oz. The schedule will enable you to simply click on the program(s) in which you’d like to participate, and you’ll go right into the Zoom meeting. Add the schedule to your bookmarks or favorites so that you can revisit it and have the variety of engaging SHS programs at your fingertips!

Similar master schedules designed specifically for Playschool and for Hebrew School have been sent to all of our school families. Our children’s remote learning now incorporates live classes with circle times, story times, Shabbat celebrations, Havdalah, art projects, yoga, music classes, ZoomDance, and discussions using Zoom and Google Classroom; one-on-one journaling and teacher-student check-ins and hang-outs; and asynchronous learning through exciting games and fantastic videos of teachers singing songs, reading stories, and providing updates as our Playschool caterpillars turn into beautiful butterflies!

In addition to all of the above and regular eNews blasts and correspondence from our Board of Directors, clergy, staff, Playschool faculty, and/or Hebrew School faculty, please check here for updates on how precautionary measures related to COVID-19 may impact our programs – religious services, classes, arts and culture events, and anything else.

Thank you for your partnership. Society Hill Synagogue is a very special community. We are grateful for our community and appreciate your flexibility and understanding as we all navigate this unprecedented situation. Please contact us any time with questions or concerns:

Rabbi Nathan Kamesar, Associate Rabbi – rabbikamesar@societyhillsynagogue.org
Sahar Oz, Director of Education – soz@societyhillsynagogue.org

Divrei Torah during our Social Distancing:

COVID-19 Updates Regarding SHS Programs: