COVID-19 update March 26, 2020
Dear Darchei Noam Members:
As the need to first and foremost protect ourselves and our community during the COVID-19 Pandemic rises, all Darchei Noam staff will now be working remotely from home. What this means to you:
- We will continue to be available during business hours. We can speak with you about your needs and conduct business with you (including processing payments and donations) remotely.
- You can reach us by email or phone as always. We will be checking our email and retrieving voicemail messages regularly. You likely will get a faster response if you email. You can easily email any staff member by visiting the Contact Us page of our website, and clicking on the name of the staff person you wish to contact.
- Usually, the emergency line is meant to be used only outside of regular business hours. Because we now may not pick up phone messages as rapidly, we are making the emergency line available 24/7. For extremely urgent matters ONLY, please text (preferred) or call the emergency line: 416-721-7467.
Updated Information Regarding Funerals, Shivas and Unveilings:
- Local cemeteries are now mandating that all funerals must be graveside, with no more than 20 people in attendance, and social distancing of 6 feet between everyone present.
- Shiva visits and shiva minyans should take place by phone or video conferencing (Zoom).
- The cemeteries are only permitting graveside funerals. Unveilings must be postponed. No other visitation is permitted.
COVID-19 update March 17, 2020
Dear Darchei Noam Members:
Our Security and Emergency Preparedness Committee is continuing to monitor the ongoing concern regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus). As you know, the developments and the subsequent response by the community to COVID-19 are rapid and evolving. With the spike in the number of cases in Ontario yesterday, schools and a number of other community organizations are completely modifying their schedules and scaling back their activities. This applies to synagogues in the GTA. Weighing input from health authorities, and out of abundance of care and concern for the health and well-being of our entire community, we have given careful consideration to protocols being implemented, effective immediately.
We have made the necessary but unfortunate decision to suspend Shabbat services and all other programming.
Our office remains open and staff can be contacted during regular business hours.
For extremely urgent matters outside of business hours only, please text (preferred) or call the emergency line: 416-721-7467.
We know that our services and our communal potluck lunch are a vital part of how members connect to one another. We know that many of us may be feeling cut off and isolated during these times. Darchei Noam will offer opportunities online to participate in sessions with Rabbi Tina and some educational, cultural and Shabbat programming through Zoom video conferencing and Facebook livestream. We will publicize those events and share the links to them in our communications. In addition, the Membership Committee wants to ensure that there are opportunities for discussions, meet-ups and chats that can be scheduled by members for members. The Membership Committee will provide access to a second Zoom account for this purpose. If you would like to know about these upcoming chats available through the Membership Committee, or if you want to set up an online event for DN members, email darcheimembers@gmail.com.