Roosevelt Island jewish congregation

A Message from Nina --

A gracious Hello to our RIJC community. I hope this message finds all of you & your families in good health, self-isolating, managing well, socially distancing, volunteering to help your neighbors, and more...

 

We were last together in person on March 9th, when more than 30 of us gathered together at our annual Purim celebration with Rabbi Joel in the Cultural Center.  How the world, and Roosevelt Island, has changed since then. 

 

We were together virtually, on-line and by phone on Friday, March 20th, for our first, and probably not our last, virtual, on-line Shabbat service led by Rabbi J and ably assisted by his son Benjamin. Some 30 RIJCers and members of the extended Shaiman family participated.  

 

And Rachel Rekhter led our Hebrew School children in their first on-line Zoom class, the first of what will likely be several sessions for the foreseeable future.

 

Until we meet again in person, here is one important task you might be able to do, and some suggestions for staying engaged while staying inside: 

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RIJC member Dr. Bruce Sachais sent us this important plea for help. As Rabbi J would say, "Please rise, if you are able..." -- Rising to this occasion could not be more important:

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A call for blood donors:  In Judaism, the most important thing is to save a life. One of the consequences of the current state of our regions is that with most people now working at home and limiting their time in public, blood donations are down. The Governor and Surgeon General have recently called attention to this need, and I am asking for your help.  

 

If you are healthy and qualify as a blood donor, please consider visiting one of our blood centers (which now have extended hours) to make a donation.  To protect the safety of our donors, we have implemented a variety of measures Including screening for symptoms upon arrival, extra cleaning of our centers, and following social distancing rules as much as possible. 

 

L'Shalom,

Bruce Sachais

Chief Medical Officer, New York Blood Center

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NY Blood Center Donations

Even with coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns, the New York Blood Center strongly urges individuals who feel healthy and well to make an appointment at a donor center to give blood, platelets and/or plasma. Walk-ins are also welcome. For more information on how to donate, please click: https://www.nybloodcenter.org/donate-blood/covid-19-and-blood-donation-copy/.

  

 

Are you still looking for some diversions and things to do of interest to folks of all ages ?

 

RIJCer Susan Berk-Seligson suggested these institutions offering on-line, easily accessible activities:

     "More Time for Books" - Women's League for Conservative Judaism: www.wlcj.org    

      B'Yachad Together - www.aju.edu/byachadtogether

     The Jewish Museum - www.thejewishmuseum.org

 

I am sure most of you have identified many, many more that you've already shared...

 

We will keep in touch with you, and hope you will reciprocate with us.  Please let me know if you are in need of any errands run, shopping to be done, or just to talk w. some one by any device.  And don't hesitate to reach out to Rabbi Joel at rabbi.joel.shaiman@gmail.com.

Please stay healthy, safe & sane.

 

Nina

212-688-0003 /