I hope that this letter finds you and your family safe and healthy. The Jewish people have always been bound tightly together, and that has kept us strong through thick and thin. Now, with the precaution of social distancing, we are finding alternative ways to stay connected and keep each other's spirits up.
The Torah values life above all else. Anything and everything can and should be done to preserve even one life. When G‑d created mankind, he created a single individual, to show that the entire world stems from one single life. So protecting life is a Mitzvah of paramount importance.
While thankfully the Coronavirus has not hit Sonoma County quite so hard yet, let's keep it that way. There are other communities that have been hit hard, and we still have the ability to avoid that.
As always - and especially now - Devorah and I are here for you and your family in whatever way needed. If there are any who are alone and without food or essentials please let us know so we can help and deliver what may be needed. Please don't hesitate to reach out!
The Chabad Jewish Center:
At this time, the Chabad Jewish Center is closed to all onsite activities and services until the conditions change to allow for such gatherings without compromise of anyone’s wellbeing and health.
Seniors:
If you need any assistance running errands, getting groceries, or picking up medication, please let us know, and we'll have one of our volunteers take care of that for you.
Additionally, Penngrove Market has Senior hour from 8-9am.
Passover:
Fun fact: Did you know that the fast of Esther was on the first day of Passover? Mordechai said "better to miss one Passover in order to celebrate many Passovers in the future".
Chances are that this Passover will be very different than any Passover you can remember. Please keep in mind, that while it is nice to celebrate together as a community, the main thing is to celebrate, and that can certainly happen.
1. Seder in a Box
A complete kit to allow you to run your own mini Seder at home. Includes Matzah, Grape Juice, Seder Plate items, Kiddush cup, Haggadah, and an easy to read seder guide!
2. Kosher for Passover Dinner
You can order Kosher for Passover meals catered by Chabad of North Holywood that will be available for pick up locally in Petaluma.
They are closely following all CDC and LA county health departments' requirements to keep their kitchen safe and sanitary.
3. Virtual Seder How-To Tutorial
Join us on Tuesday, March 31 at 6pm for a step by step on running your own Seder.
Tune in on Zoom email rabbi@jewishepatluma.com for password
4. Seder
Join our family on Zoom on April 8th, 6pm, for a Seder warmup. We will set up our Seders together, talk about the Passover story, the four questions, and more. Then all you need to do is drink the four cups and eat your Matzah at nightfall.
Tune in on Zoom email rabbi@jewishepatluma.com for password
Classes:
Now that we are spending more time at home, you may have extra time to catch up on some studying, inspiration, and connection. Tune in to these classes, no prior knowledge necessary.
1. Torah Studies - Wednesdays, 7pm
Enrich your life with a dose of weekly inspiration!
Join us as we tell the stories of the Torah, and choose one fascinating topic to focus on each week. We do a deep dive using original talmudic texts (in English), explore the theme through the lens of Kaballah, and walk away with a practical takeaway to invigorate our week.
Taught by Rabbi Dovid Bush
2. Tanya: A Mystical Journey into the Soul - Fridays, 9:30am
Tanya is a work of Practical Mysticism - Understanding the human psyche through the lens of Kaballah
Taught by Rabbi Dovid Bush
3. The Jewish Course of "Why?" - Mondays, 6pm
Get the answers to some of the most popular Jewish questions.
The Jewish Course of Why spans a diverse range of topics, from fun, light, and off-the-beaten-track questions, to more complex and controversial issues. Ever wondered why there are so many Jews in Hollywood? Why Jews eat gefilte fish and cholent and wish each other mazal tov and L'chaim? Why do many Jews sway when they pray? Why are there no miracles of Biblical proportions today? Why not leave flowers at the grave? You will also gain insight into mysterious Jewish practices, strange biblical narratives, and enigmas of Jewish identity.
4. Inspiration related to the Coronavirus
5. Looking for more?
Watch
Take a walk down memory lane with some of these videos of Chabad of Petaluma and Camp Aleph on
YouTube
Kids
Virtual Hebrew School, Sundays 10am
Daily Clip:
Games, activities, videos and more:
May G‑d grant our world healing real soon!
Sincerely,
Rabbi Dovid Bush
Donate
If you are in a position to contribute, your donation at this time would be most appreciated and will go directly towards helping the community navigate through this time. www.JewishPetaluma.com/Donate
