To Our Kol Ami Community,
We are so proud the way the Kol Ami community has come together to support one another during these difficult times. While we are maintaining physical distancing, we are continuing our social, emotional and spiritual connections to each other. On March 20, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued the “New York State on PAUSE” Executive Order. Although this Order permits houses of worship to remain open, we are abiding by its social distancing recommendations and other directives. In furtherance of the Governor’s mandate, all public gatherings and in-person programming at Kol Ami are cancelled until further notice. Although we cannot join together in person, we will continue to connect in so many ways. Going forward:
· We will continue to Zoom our Shabbat in the Woods service on Friday at 5:30 PM with Rabbi Shira.
· We will continue to stream our Friday Kabbalat Shabbat service at 6:15 PM and our Shabbat morning service at 11:00 AM.
· Even though our Early Childhood Program (ECP) and Religious School (RS) will remain closed until further notice, under the leadership of Nan Blank and Pam Pass, we will continue to provide virtual learning opportunities and other ways for our children and families to remain connected.
· While the building remains closed to congregants, many of our staff are working remotely and will be able to respond to emails or voicemails left at their phone extensions.
At this time of challenge and uncertainty, we recognize the importance of maintaining strong bonds. We will continue to develop creative ideas for nurturing these connections with you virtually. This Week at Kol Ami will continue to serve as our main vehicle to share information regarding worship, upcoming programs and events, and we urge you to read it in its entirety each Thursday.
Like you, we are acclimating to the new norms of social distancing and remote working, learning, and gathering. Also like you, and others around the world, we are trying to process the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 on our health and safety and that of our families and our community, not to mention its impact on our economy and social fabric. In times like this, it is most comforting to be part of a thoughtful, creative and resourceful community. We will get through this together.
Quickly the Kol Ami community has banded together to take care of one another and to make significant changes in how we learn, gather, and worship together. Dedicated congregants, including our college youth now unexpectedly at home, have delivered meals to congregants, delivered food bags from our pantry to those most vulnerable throughout Westchester County, shopped for groceries, and called congregants to check in to see if any assistance is needed. More calls are forthcoming as more than ever we recognize the importance of staying in contact.
If anyone is in need of support, even just a friendly voice on the other end of a phone, please let us know by calling, emailing or
CLICKING HERE. Adults may also
CLICK HERE to volunteer to assist congregants in need. We are confident that our Kol Ami community – full of caring hearts and helping hands – will continue to be at the ready to help anyone in need.
Thank you for partnering with us and prioritizing the health and well-being of our sacred community. We will continue to provide updates as events unfold and we have additional information to share with you. In the meantime, we look forward to learning, worshipping and celebrating together as a community, albeit virtually. We welcome your ideas and thoughts for additional programming or other ways we could help.
L’shalom,
