18 | MARCH 12 • 2020 

Jews in the D

T

he coronavirus was part 
of this year’
s planning 
as local synagogues and 
temples prepared for Purim cele-
brations and congregational life. 
Hand sanitizer was plentiful, and 
congregants were urged to take 
precautions but not overreact. 
To date, no events had been 
cancelled. “We are focused on 
community and gathering in the 
face of fear with an eye to health 
and responsibility,
” says Rabbi 
Aaron Starr at Congregation 
Shaarey Zedek in Southfield. 
At least three local congrega-
tions — Shaarey Zedek, Temple 
Beth El and Temple Shir Shalom 
— have established medical advi-

sory committees comprised of 
physicians, other congregants and 
staff members. Dr. Carl Lauter, 
an allergist and infectious disease 
specialist, spoke at an educational 
program after Shaarey Zedek’
s 
Shabbat services on March 6. 
Several congregations have 
sent out special emails to mem-
bers or included virus-related 
information in their weekly 
messages. Congregations have 
cited enhanced cleaning of public 
areas in response to guidelines 
from the Oakland County Health 
Department and provided guid-
ance for handwashing and alter-
native methods of greeting rather 
than hugs and handshaking. 

Communications from Temple 
Beth El and Bais Chabad in West 
Bloomfield advise against directly 
kissing the Torah or mezuzot.
“We are aware of what’
s going 
on but not feeding the panic,
” says 
Brian Fishman, executive director 
at Temple Shir Shalom in West 
Bloomfield. Like other congre-
gations, the temple is providing 
hand sanitizers and recommend-
ing frequent handwashing to 
those who visit.
The Orthodox Union sent a 
letter to member congregations 
last week, including Young Israel 
of Southfield, urging calm and 
prayer for those with the corona-
virus. “However, it is extremely 
important that if anyone has 

symptoms of illness, including 
fever, coughing, stomach bug 
or any other sickness, that they 
refrain from coming to shul or 
other communal gatherings, 
either during the week or on 
Shabbat. This is true even for 
a mourner saying Kaddish. 
Protecting and preserving com-
munal health supersedes other 
considerations. Anyone experi-
encing such symptoms should 
immediately contact their phy-
sician for further guidance,
” the 
letter states. 
 
Rabbi Simcha Tolwin of Aish 
Torah in Oak Park, said that the 
congregation is looking at World 
Health Organization guidelines 

Prudence, Not Panic

Synagogues and temples factor the 
coronavirus into congregational life.

SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

A

s concern over the 
spread of the coronavi-
rus (COVID-19) con-
tinues to grow, Metro Detroit 
Jewish schools are preparing 
for the possibility that the virus 
will directly impact the commu-
nity. Hillel Day School, Farber 
Hebrew Day School and Frankel 
Jewish Academy (FJA) are all 
implementing new protocols 
and emphasizing basic health 
practices.
Hillel, Farber and FJA have all 
sent memos to parents outlining 
what the schools are focusing 
on and advising parents to keep 

sick children at home. They are 
also asking faculty and staff to 
do the same.
The schools have been active-
ly enforcing good hygiene by 
encouraging students to wash 
their hands regularly and cover 
their sneezes and coughs. They 
are also allowing teachers to 
provide students with several 
periodic hand-washing breaks, 
including before and after lunch 
and restroom use. 
Along with good hygiene 
practices among students and 
faculty, the schools are also 
periodically disinfecting door 

handles, faucets, bathrooms, 
drinking fountains, tables, desks 
and countertops.
As of now, there is no plan to 
close any of the schools. Farber 
Head of School Rabbi Scot 
Berman told the Jewish News 
that they are in “contact with 
the Oakland County Health 
Department and other medical 
professionals to keep informed 
as to proper measures.”
Hillel and FJA are also both 
actively engaging with “local, 
state and federal agencies and 
will continue to reevaluate steps 
and actions regularly,” according 

to their memos. 
However, if it is in the best 
interest of the schools to close, 
Farber, Hillel and FJA are all 
beginning to explore and dis-
cuss strategies to provide remote 
instruction via technology to 
ensure that students’
 learning is 
not disrupted.
In addition to protocol inside 
the schools, Hillel is also closely 
monitoring travel advisories. 
The eighth grade is scheduled 
to travel to Israel April 20-May 
6, and the seventh grade is sup-
posed to head to Washington 
D.C. in May. Neither of those 
trips have been cancelled yet.
“We are keeping an eye on 
the situation,” Hillel’
s statement 
read. They also advised parents 
who travel internationally for 
Passover to closely monitor 
travel advisories and to “be 
aware that Hillel will need to 
follow any governmental recom-

Metro Detroit Jewish Schools 
Actively Prepare for Coronavirus

Administrations are pushing good hygiene but have yet to 
change upcoming travel plans to Israel and elsewhere.

CORRIE COLF STAFF WRITER

Resources for Congregations and Individuals

• cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-
 community-faith-organizations.html
• oakgov.com/health/information/covid-19/Pages/default.aspx
• who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

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