Shabbat 24 Adar, 5780/March 20-21, 2020

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM THE ST. LOUIS RABBINICAL AND CANTORIAL ASSOCIATION

As rabbis and cantors of the St. Louis Rabbinical and Cantorial Association, we are reaching out as one to the members of our community during this unprecedented time. Our hearts go out to those members of our community who are ill, and those who are afraid. We ache for those who have had to reschedule simchas, and for those who are mourning without the support of loved ones around them. We share the uncertainty and concerns about the financial impact of this pandemic on the economically vulnerable members of our community. We are profoundly grateful for those who are providing comfort, and those who are on the frontlines in hospitals, doctors' offices, patrolling our neighborhoods and serving the essential needs of our community.

We know that there are aspects of this sickness that are out of our hands. But we also know, both from history found even in the Torah and from examples around the world today, that there is a way to halt the spread of this virus. So we are taking it upon ourselves to ask that tonight, when Shabbat ends...then it doesn't end. That for each of us who is able, we keep this time of rest going. Stay home. Cancel the sleepovers and create virtual play-dates. Be with loved ones who live with you, and pick up the phone to call those who don't or send a text or email. Let everything else stop, and as much as possible, let's keep Shabbat going.

Our tradition teaches us that "pikuach nefesh", the saving of a life, is the most important mitzvah we have. And we all have the opportunity to do so, but it only works if we all do it. As your rabbis and cantors, who have sat with you during the most sacred moments of your lives, we implore you to join us in this so we can get through this together.

We're all in. We fervently hope you will be too.

MEMBERS OF THE ST. LOUIS RABBINICAL AND CANTORIAL ASSOCIATION


Agudas Achim Beth Israel of Belleville
         Rabbi Shulamit Cenker
Bais Abraham
         Rabbi Garth Silberstein
B’nai Amoona
          Rabbi Carnie Rose
          Rabbi Josef Davidson
          Cantor Sharon Nathanson
Central Reform Congregation
           Rabbi Susan Talve
           Rabbi Daniel Bogard
           Rabbi Karen Bogard
           Rabbi Randy Fleisher
           Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Hillel at Washington University
           Rabbi Jordan Gerson
Jewish Community Center
           Rabbi Brad Horwitz
Jewish Community Relations Council
            Maharat Rori Picker Neiss
Jewish Family & Children’s Service
            Rabbi Neal Rose
            Rabbi Jessica Shafrin
Jewish Federation of St. Louis
             Rabbi Tracy Nathan
Keshet
             Rabbi Micah Buck-Yael
Kol Rinah
             Rabbi Noah Arnow
             Rabbi Scott Shafrin
Pathways Hospice & Palliative Care
             Rabbi Dale Schreiber
Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School
              Rabbi Scott Slarskey
Shaare Emeth
               Rabbi Jim Bennett
               Rabbi Andrea Goldstein
               Rabbi Lori Levine
               Cantor Seth Warner
               Rabbi Jeffrey Stiffman (Emeritus)
Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Community
              Cantor Joshua Finkel
              Rabbi Lane Steinger (Emeritus)
Temple Emanuel
               Rabbi Elizabeth Hersh
               Rabbi Joseph Rosenbloom (Emeritus)
Temple Israel
              Rabbi Amy Feder
              Rabbi Michael Alper
              Rabbi Mark Shook (Emeritus)
Temple Israel of Springfield, MO
              Rabbi Barbara Block
United Hebrew
              Rabbi Brigitte Rosenberg
              Rabbi Adam Bellows
              Cantor-Rabbi Ron Eichaker
              Rabbi Howard Kaplansky (Emeritus)