Passover Will Be Different This Year

Dear Solel,

This year our Passover observances will be different. As the Toronto Board of Rabbis’ recent directive reminds us: “The best public health advice at this moment is for everyone to stay home as much as possible. This is for your own health and the health of society at large. As such, Passover Seders should only be celebrated with the members of one’s immediate household.

To be clear, especially since those over the age of 65 are at increased risk of death from COVID-19, seniors in our community should prioritize taking care of their health over family celebrations for the duration of this crisis, even if that means not spending seder night together with the family.

We understand that this will be a heartbreaking reality and a major disruption for many.” The groups we usually gather with will instead be at our virtual table, joining us on the phone or on videochat this year. We may not have all the familiar foods at the table. We will be keeping Pesach as best we can this year. Even as we know this year’s Pesach celebration will be different, we can still find joy in the observance of the holiday.

We realize that this is a temporary situation. And the precautions we’re taking are for pikuach nefesh, to save lives.

 

We are preparing resources to help you celebrate Pesach this year:

On Sunday April 5th at 10:30am, Solel’s Virtual Pre-Pesach webinar. Join Rabbi Pollack and Rabbi Englander as we share materials to enhance your appreciation of Pesach and help with you Pesach Seder planning. We’ll be meeting on the Zoom videoconference platform. You can join by video from any computer, tablet or smartphone or by phone.*

RSVP to the Solel office and we’ll send you the Zoom link and instructions.

* New to Zoom? You can join by video or by phone. We can assist you – our “teen tech help team” is available to get you set up.

The Bet Sefer Solel Haggadah: Watch your email inbox for our very own Solel Haggadah that will be created by our own Bet Sefer Solel students. Solel members will receive a pdf that you can download and print or view on your computer or tablet. Bet Sefer students and families – we are sending out instructions for you to contribute writings and artwork. We need your participation!

Solel’s 2nd Night Online Seder – Thursday, evening April 9th at 6:30pm. Our Solel 2nd Seder will be held virtually this year. Join us on the second night of Passover when we gather as a community to tell the story of our Exodus from Egypt, a celebration of freedom, not just for Jews, but for everyone. We’ll be meeting on the Zoom video conference platform. You can join by video or by phone.*

RSVP to the Solel office and we’ll send you the Zoom link and instructions.

Worship Services – Join us virtually at solel.ca/live

• 8pm Fridays – Erev Shabbat services
• 10am Saturdays – Shabbat Morning services
• 8am Wednesday April 8th, 1st Born Minyan
• 10am Thursday April 9th, First Day of Pesach Day Morning Service
• 10am Wednesday April 15th Seventh Day Pesach/Yizkor service

 

What’s Happening on Solel Zoom:

Solel Lunchbreak, Thursdays at 12 noon in Solel’s Zoom Room. Have lunch with Rabbi Pollack as we discuss current events and enjoy each other’s virtual company.

We’re All In This Together – Parent Drop-In, Tuesdays at 9pm in Solel’s Zoom Lounge. Join us to vent, laugh, and take a breath. We’ll share tips, activities and ideas for parenting quarenteens, elementary age and younger kids during Covid-19. Bring your own beverage.

Coming Soon:

Adult Study Group and Book Discussion with Rabbi Pollack (teens also welcome) -stay tuned for more information.

As always, contact the office or Rabbi Pollack to register and get the link information for connecting to any of the above Zoom based virtual events.

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