Friday March 13

Dear FJC Community,

We are not in normal times and it doesn’t seem like we will be able to get back to our normal routines for a long time. As you have heard, many of our neighboring synagogues and synagogues across New York and New Jersey lines have been cancelling services and any scheduled large gatherings. It was not an easy decision to make but we have made the decision to cancel Shabbat services this week as well as Church Avenue Sessions and Dinner Under the Stars next week.

This crisis is ever evolving and as more information unfolds, we will remain in communication with you about our plans moving forward. This situation changes hourly and it is our responsibility to make sure that we are making all efforts that we can to keep our community safe and healthy.

We apologize for the inconvenience that this causes since we were scheduled to hold a Lunch and Learn on Shabbat afternoon. We will be working with those members in our community that rely on FJC for Shabbat meals. Though this is a time where we have been advised to practice social distancing, that does not mean that we need to be anti-social. We need to limit our interactions in large gathering but we are still a community and we need to look out for each other. If any of your neighbors fit into the categories of concern, please check on them and make sure they are okay. If you learn that anyone in our community is in need of assistance, let us know so that we can help where we can.

Please continue to practice the general viral infection prevention measures that have been suggested by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) including:

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or sleeve
• Wash your hands regularly
• Avoid touching your face
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• If you’re feeling sick, please call your doctor

Take care of yourselves, your families and each other. I hope to see you all very soon.

Be well,

Heather