Message from the President
Cape Cod Synagogue and COVID-19
Shabbat Services and Dinner Cancelled for Friday March 13 and Saturday March 14.
In response to the evolving information about the Coronavirus pandemic due to COVID-19 and Governor Baker’s decision yesterday to declare a Public Health Emergency in Massachusetts, the Cape Cod Synagogue Executive Committee met yesterday via conference call to review our current worship, educational and social activities and assure the health and safety of our clergy, staff, congregation and visitors.
This is an evolving situation with a rapid increase in cases in Massachusetts. As of 4:00 pm today there is 1 confirmed case and 91 presumptive cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, with 445 persons undergoing monitoring or still in quarantine and 638 having completed monitoring (and are no longer in quarantine). There are currently no confirmed cases in Barnstable County.
Our officers reviewed information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Yesterday I spoke with our clergy (Rabbi Debbie Mangan, Cantorial Soloist Jennifer Antebi, and Cantor Malin), and today consulted with Pam Snyder, MD, a member of the Cape Cod Synagogue Board of Trustees, Sue Mager, Religious School Director, CCS Office Staff and custodian.
Today, after consultation with Pam Snyder and the Executive Committee, I have decided to cancel Shabbat Dinner and Shabbat Evening Services on Friday March 13, 2020 and Shabbat morning services on Saturday March 14, 2020. This decision is based on an abundance of caution in the presence of the rising number of cases in Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Declaration of a Public Health Emergency, the increased risk in older adults, and the risk of transmission via respiratory droplets among those in close contact (within 6 feet) as occurs during our services and dinners.
Rabbi Debbie Mangan will conduct a video streaming service from the Cape Cod Synagogue on Friday Evening March 13, 2020 starting at 6:30 pm. We invite our entire congregation to take part in our Shabbat worship streaming online by visiting one of the following methods at 6:30pm Friday evening:
Please enjoy and celebrate Shabbat by staying home, lighting candles at home, conduct a Kiddush with a blessing over wine, say a blessing over your Challah at home, and then watch Rabbi Mangan’s Shabbat Service!
