UPDATE FROM RABBI BUECHLER:
PANDEMIC & PASSOVER

Dear DHJC Family:

In these unprecedented times, we are eyewitnesses to the ancient plagues now swirling around us as the coronavirus has shut down much of our world. Despite the darkness and the fears, there is much that we can and must do. Except for those in essential services, we must remain at home unless we have an urgent or emergency situation. All we are being asked to do: is to shelter at home, and use best practices of hygiene and handwashing. In doing so, we will help to contain the virus and mitigate the infection in people of all ages; especially those who are most vulnerable due to age and underlying health issues.

When it is darkest in the world, as Jews we bring light. How can we celebrate Pesach in such distressing times? I emphatically state that we must celebrate Pesach – that even in the darkest of moments our ancestors had faith that they could leave behind the contagious hatreds found in Egypt. Our first Seder was celebrated while we were still in Egypt – we had faith that we would navigate the darkness — then and now. We bring much needed stability, calm and the promise of two Seder evenings with food and conversations remind us how faith guided us through the plagues of millennia ago. We too, can find the inner resources of courage and faith to combat both the coronavirus and the fear that it instills in our world. Instead of staring into the dark news, we are energized to have faith and prepare for Pesach. WE need Pesach, now more than ever with its message of hope conquering fear and plagues.

The Haggadah is scripted to remind us that human history can be dark, yet with wisdom and unity, we can and must do battle against our trepidations and battle an invisible virus with every weapon in our modern arsenal of medicine and science.

YET THE NIGHTS OF PESACH WILL BE ESPECIALLY DIFFERENT THIS YEAR

Here are a number of pivotal reminders as we find the courage to have our Seders

1. No ONE is to invite anyone from outside of those sheltering in your household to the Seder. That goes against our basic Jewish instinct – and it is contrary to the very introduction of the Haggadah enjoining us to invite others to our homes. The coronavirus flourishes where people gather – and this year our Seders will be small – very small. No one outside your home is to be invited!
2. Leave on your computer/tablet and live stream/ZOOM your Seder into the households of family and friends and neighbors so that isolation does NOT mean that we cannot feel a sense of belonging. We are never alone. Technology brings us together. Our daily and Shabbat on line prayers have uplifted all of us and given us treasured moments of soulful calm in turbulent times
3. Passover food security is a real issue that we worry about. There is a steady and ample supply of kosher for Pesach food available yet we should not go out to shop unless absolutely necessary. The local markets all have services of pick up or delivery (despite the wait of days or longer) so order now for Pesach.
4. A better idea is to contact Colbeh at 646-263-8181 or contact pejman@colbeh.com to order your Seder in a box that will be delivered to DHJC right before Pesach and you pick up in a drive by fashion. The email with this info will go out shortly. In the meantime see this email on our dhjc.org homepage for Colbeh, Bagel Boss, & Ben’s deliveries NOW!
5. Or you can call the Kosher kitchen at ShopRite Country Pointe in Plainview at 516-694-0640 ext., 4502 to order the Passover Package – also a drive by pick up!
6. Selling your hametz is all by mail or email – the Hametz Form is available on our dhjc.org homepage
7. Similar to all of our prayers, our Fast of First Born services and all Passover Festival services will be on line – go to dhjc.org for the links to our live streaming
8. Unlike prior years when many of us discard or donate unused hametz products – this year simply store them away as our needs will continue when Pesach concludes. So keep covered, and set aside your pasta. Freeze loaves of bread that will not be used on Pesach. Then the moment Pesach ends we can resume using these goods.
9. I am holding at least two Seder workshops on line on Tuesday, March 31 at 1 pm and Thursday, April 2 at 4 pm – to help each of us innovate and create meaningful and engaging Seders in these challenging times – and answer questions. ZOOM link will be found at dhjc.org
10. Many annually go to others for Pesach – so you need to buy haggadahs now – before they sell out. Go to Amazon.com or any online bookseller or Judaica venue – I recommend: 
    • A Night to Remember: The Haggadah of Contemporary Voices, or
    • Why On this Night, A Passover Haggadah for Family Celebration, or
    • The Feast of Freedom Haggadah
    among many fine editions
11. Our annual Passover Wine Sale is ongoing and again delivered to DHJC with drive by pick-ups (form available on our dhjc.org homepage).
12. Feel free to contact me with any specific Pesach Questions at rabbibuechler@gmail.com
13. Our full color Guide to Passover will be on line at dhjc.org within a week or so filled with many dynamic ideas to energize your Seder into a soulful celebration.

As we shelter at home, our homes have become our sanctuaries and places of refuge. In the darkness of Egypt immediately before the dawning of redemption, liberation and exodus the Torah states that the Israelites, our ancestors, had light in their homes, “or b’moshvotayhem”. Let our Seders on Wednesday and Thursday evening April 8th & 9th illuminate our homes and our world with hope and the faith that together we can speedily contain, mitigate and put an end to the pandemic of the coronavirus.

Let us continue to pray with fervor for the healing of those ill with the coronavirus and pray for the wisdom and courage of the medical teams, health care providers and first responders who care for them. We also pray on behalf of those who provide and supply uninterrupted essential services. In addition may the medical and science researchers help us find a path to full healing and recovery.

With prayers for each of us and our loved ones to be well, safe and healthy, and praying that we all feel the power and blessings of our faith and community. May you all enjoy a HAG SEMEACH!

Please feel free to contact me at rabbibuechler@gmail.com or text 516-317-8397.

Shalom,
Rabbi Howard R. Buechler

Shalom to our DHJC Family:

These are unprecedented times. Containing and mitigating the Coronavirus is the priority for all. By each one of us following public health protocols and hygiene along with social distancing in every fashion, we can truly make a difference and safeguard those who are most vulnerable: those who are older and those with underlying health issues at all ages.

Judaism teaches us that insuring our health and the well being of others is a paramount mitzvah. We can save lives as we remain at home and we can help others as we insure their well being and assist our neighbors in assuring their food security and with our assistance on any level.

We are being called upon now and over the next period of time, to rely upon our faith and inner resiliency to draw strength in order to fortify us for the most challenging times that are ahead of us. We are used to meeting in person, being together in prayers and celebrations – familiar bonds are the very path by which the coronavirus spreads. By setting aside our social interactions, in order to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, we demonstrate our leadership and strengthen Judaism by sanctifying moments in new and novel fashions. We postpone our physical presence to bring healing and hope.

DHJC will continue to be a beacon in our community: teaching, studying, praying and learning together – online. While we cannot be present physically for the time being, our on line presence will bring us together virtually.

This email delineates how we will insure that we continue to strive for excellence as a synagogue, a sacred Jewish community given the new realities of our world.

All Zoom Links For Services Are At The Bottom Of This Email

1. Shabbat morning services: Our Shabbat morning will be live-streamed through the “Zoom” platform beginning each Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. – and ending about 11:00 a.m. These abbreviated prayers will insure that everyone can within the parameters of Jewish law, be present online, recite all the requisite prayers and hear the Torah being read.

2. For the time being, each upcoming bar/bat mitzvah family over the next few weeks has been notified and arrangements have been made within the parameters of all public health measures, as of this moment , to have and celebrate their Simcha, though in a very different and limited manner.

3. Friday Evening Services: Friday evening services will take place via Zoom from 6:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

4. Havdalah: Each Saturday evening at 8:00 p.m. for the next few weeks, join us for brief evening prayers followed by Havdalah.

5. Daily morning & evening minyan: Starting on Tuesday, March 17, we will be livestreaming every morning Monday through Friday at 8:00 a.m. and on Sunday at 9:00 a.m. Our morning minyan will last about a half hour. PLEASE NOTE THIS NEW TIME OF 8:00 AM Monday through Friday mornings. Our evening minyan Sunday through Thursday will begin at 8:00 pm and last less then fifteen minutes. This begins tonight, Monday evening.

Feel free to wear your tallit and tefilin for morning and have a siddur /prayer book with you.

1. Classes: As previously noted, all meetings and classes and events will meet online through the Zoom app and you will receive emails how to attend online meetings for our ECA and Religious School and Adult Educations sessions.
2. Feel to pick up a prayer book (weekday and/or Shabbat) at DHJC TODAY Monday, March 16 from 9:00 – 3:00 pm. Just drive by and the prayer books will have been sanitized and ready for you to use in these extraordinary times.
3. For questions about the technical details regarding our on line prayers, contact executivedirector@dhjc.org or call 631-499-6644. Our DHJC number will be answered at an off site location 9 am – 5 pm
4. Life Cycle Ritual Observance: Please let Rabbi Buechler know of any and all simcha or challenging moments in order for him to guide you given the special circumstances of these times. I am best reached by email at rabbibuechler@gmail.com or by texting at 516-317-8397
5. In the joyous case of the birth of a boy, the Rabbi can provide the name of a mohel and guide you knowing that any bris that takes place must only include a few immediate family members. In the joyous case of the birth of a girl, the Rabbi will guide you in the celebrations – but these will be postponed until the current crisis subsides.

IN THE CASE OF A LOSS, notify Rabbi Buechler and he will guide you to bring you comfort and solace. Please note that for the immediate future, ONLY graveside services are permitted by the Jewish community to insure that large groups do NOT gather indoors. In addition, to bring comfort to the family, Shiva calls and NOT Shiva visits are the prudent path. Family and friends can Facetime and call you and remain safer. In addition all minyans will be virtual as noted above and not held in the Shiva house to insure public health dictates.

HOSPITAL VISITS AND NURSING HOME VISITS
Given the extreme vulnerability of those in nursing homes or hospitals NO one is to visit unless there are dire circumstances and only when legally permitted – and I and our bikkur holim team will not be making any visits. Notify me of any illnesses and I will call you and your family and together we will pray and bring inner confidence.

As your Rabbi, I am here to help each of us and our loved ones navigate this most unprecedented reality. Together your DHJC family will assist you and uplift you and keep you connected to eternal sources of faith and hope.

Together we continue to pray for the health and well being of all of us – and for the healing and recovery of those stricken with the coronavirus. We also pray for the wisdom, courage and healing power of the medical care teams, health care providers and first responders – and for the creative wisdom of medical researchers worldwide.

Our heartfelt prayers also are for all those who lead us in combatting this pandemic and for the strength and good health of all those who provide and deliver essential services Now is a time to show extraordinary kindness and gratitude to all those around us !

May God watch over our world and may the goodness of our Torah and observances bring to us calm and fortitude in moments of fear and trepidation. More information will be forthcoming and especially information regarding Pesach and our Seders.

With hopes and prayers that will illuminate the darkness and bring to each of us and our loved ones calmness, strength and inner resiliency.

Shalom, Rabbi Howard R. Buechler

Zoom Links for Services

Don’t forget to sign-up for a Zoom account, please click here: https://zoom.us/signup

Morning and Evening Minyan: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/979928565

Friday Night Services: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/990261675?pwd=MlJ0eEk0RUNBUzhQOFVUQmhsSEZ2dz09

Shabbat Morning: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/319926367?pwd=dG9rY2RRcEJweU1zb1BJZWtxRVYydz09

Havdalah: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/386931887

Shalom, Rabbi Howard Buechler

Dear Dix Hills Jewish Center Family:

• If you are part of a “high risk group”, following the age reccomendations of the CDC or have a serious heart, lung, kidney or chronic medical condition or are immunosuppressed. Please consult your physician if you are unsure if you are in one of these categories.
• If you or anyone in your household are symptomatic, and have not yet been tested and medically cleared.
• If you or anyone in your household have returned from a high-risk region of the United States or abroad within the last 14 days.

• All services will take place in the Main Sanctuary. Specific seats and rows will be designated for you to sit in. These will be clearly marked.
• Oneg, Kiddush and Minyan breakfast will not be served following services. While our congregants love to sit and schmooze, we ask for the time being that you make your way home following services. We look forward to having you all back for our Gala Kiddush lunches in due time.
• We are in the process of enabling live-streaming of our services and will let you know as soon as this is available.

• ECA and Religious School will continue to hold classes until we are either directed by the Department of Health to close or either the Commack or Half Hollow Hills School District closes. Our ECA and Religious School Directors and staff are currently preparing for online learning. For Religious school, these would be held during the regularly scheduled hours of school and we expect all of our students to fully participate as if they were in the classroom. The specific information will be shared in the event we do close our schools.
• All B’nai Mitzvah Lessons will be taught by video conference coordinated by the tutors.
• All Classes taught by the Rabbi and Cantor will move to an online video conference via zoom.
• All meetings and events including Committee, Sisterhood, Men’s Club, Board of Trustees, etc. will take place by video conferencing by zoom or events will be rescheduled.

Dear Dix Hills Jewish Center Family:

We wanted to give you an update from our email of last week.  There continues to be no reported cases of COVID-19 in our community and we are continuing with the protocols that are listed below.  Our building and programming will continue as scheduled.  If, at any time, based on factors and considerations presented to us from appropriate local, state and national organizations, adjustments will be implemented and we will notify the congregation.

At DHJC, we have a leadership team of volunteers and professional staff, who are in consultation with local medical health experts and ongoing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and other governmental bodies. We are receiving daily, and at times hourly, updates from Federal, State, and County Health Departments and they urge each one of us to be prepared and utilize best hygiene practices.

To that extent we are continuing with the following protocols as indicated last week, at the DHJC:

1. Our maintenance staff has increased their cleaning routines using approved disinfectants and cleaning supplies throughout the building

2. Purell Stations can be found at every entrance. It should be noted that all health officials agree that washing your hands for 20 seconds with an approved hand sanitizer or soap and water is essential to our personal well-being and insuring the health of others. We are working to make sure that we have ample supplies on hand.

3. As much as we love having you with us, if you are sick, please stay home. This includes, but may not be limited to any respiratory symptoms (coughing, sneezing) or fever.

4. With an abundance of precaution, and following Health Department Protocols, we are recommending that if you have traveled to countries significantly impacted by the Corona virus (including: China, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Italy) you should not enter DHJC for a period of 14 days beginning from the date of your return. In addition, if you have come in close personal contact with someone who has contracted the Coronavirus or a person who has been to one of these countries, the above restriction apply.

5. We are always warm and friendly at DHJC, but for the time being elbow bumps are the recommended greeting and embrace.

6. For the foreseeable future, our Kiddush luncheons will be served by our staff with proper direction in food handling. We ask for your patience as they serve you. There will be enough food for everyone!

Above all, we pray that you remain well and that if you develop any symptoms you should fulfill the Jewish mandate of seeking immediate health care from your medical caregiver or local healthcare facility. If you have any questions about prevention, we recommend you contact your primary care physician for additional guidance.

For more information and resources on the Coronavirus please visit the following websites:

* Federal Government: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus

* New York State: www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/

* Suffolk County: www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Health-Services/Health-Bulletins/Novel-Coronavirus

On behalf of the Dix Hills Jewish Center family, please know that your health and well-being means the world to us. We thank you for partnering with us to create a healthy and safe community.

Shalom,

Jeffrey R. Dubin, Dix Hills Jewish Center President

Rabbi Howard R. Buechler

* Should you be unavailable to attend a minyan and wish be included in our prayers, kindly note that Halacha/Jewish Law permits a person to call into a duly constituted minyan and fully fulfil their obligation. Contact Rabbi Buechler at rabbibuechler@gmail.com for more information to become part of a virtual minyan when necessitated. .