A Tough Decision

Local temples and synagogues make major changes to reduce coronavirus spread.

SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Jews in the D

D

etroit-area temples and 
synagogues, which 
had already instituted 
enhanced sanitation and other 
practices to offset transmission 
of the coronavirus, quickly 
ratcheted up their response on 
Thursday and Friday, March 
12-13. This followed Michigan 
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’
s 
announcement that all K-12 
schools in Michigan would be 
closed at least through April 11. 
On Thursday, March 12, 
members of the Michigan 
Board of Rabbis, which includes 
local Reform and Conservative 
congregations, held a Zoom 
online meeting with represen-
tatives of the Jewish Federation 
of Metropolitan Detroit, Jewish 
funeral home directors, as well 
as other local rabbis. Since then, 
the state ordered that most gath-
erings of 250 people or more 
should be canceled. Exceptions 
include manufacturing, grocery 
stores, public transportation, 
etc. 
According to Rabbi Aaron 
Bergman of Congregation Adat 
Shalom, who is president of the 
Michigan Board of Rabbis, the 
meeting began with a medical 
update from Adam Rosh, M.D., 
an emergency physician. “He 
was enunciating what we were 
all thinking — that if we don’
t 
take it seriously, it’
s going to 
get exponentially worse. If we 

ignore it, it will overwhelm the 
[medical] system. We would 
rather explain why we were 
too cautious,
” Rabbi Bergman 
explained.
Based on Dr. Rosh’
 advice, 
it was agreed that religious 
services, classes, meetings and 
other in-person congregational 
events should be canceled at 
least for several weeks. Temples 
and synagogues quickly notified 
members about the cancella-
tions, suggesting alternate meth-
ods of observance and commu-
nication. Notifications stressed 
the potential need for changes 
in a rapidly evolving situation.
“Congregations are under-
standing but tough. No one 
is saying ‘
I can’
t believe you’
re 
doing this,
’
” Rabbi Bergman 
said.
Congregation B’
nai Moshe 
in West Bloomfield is cancel-
ing services and other activ-
ities for at least two weeks. 
Congregation Adat Shalom 
plans to resume services on 
April 16. Congregation Shaarey 
Zedek expects to resume 
services during the weekend 
of April 17. Temple Beth El 
will forego in-person services 
through April 19. 
Specific policies regarding 
services, other events and avail-
ability of clergy and other staff 
have been communicated via 
email to members and are typi-

cally available on congregational 
websites. Some congregations 
are able to live-stream services 
and educational programs. 
A member of Congregation 
Shaarey Zedek arranged a 
Kaddish service via Zoom. 
Several websites offer guidance 
on how to handle the require-
ments of a minyan and other 
ritual traditions in a virtual 
service.
According to Rabbi Mark 
Miller, Temple Beth El’
s senior 
rabbi, a beautiful bat mitzvah 
was held on Saturday with 
immediate family members 
present and a live-streamed 
version offered to other relatives 
and friends. “We are giving 
families a choice of whether to 
postpone their events or hold 
them in person but on a small 
scale,
” he added.
However, live-streaming on 
Shabbat or holidays isn’
t permit-
ted in Orthodox synagogues.
“We are continuing services 
with many precautions of clean-
liness, hygiene and safety,
” said 
Rabbi Schneur Silberberg, out-
reach director of Bais Chabad 
Torah Center. Shabbos Kiddush 
and children’
s programs have 
been canceled. 
“We are keeping our minya-
nim but following government 
guidelines for smaller gather-
ings. Attendance at services has 
been significantly less the last 

few weeks. People with weaker 
systems should perhaps stay 
home,
” he added.
Rabbi Silberberg spoke on 
Friday with a rabbi who has 
served in China throughout 
the coronavirus epidemic there. 
“He cautioned against panic and 
urged that practical measures 
be followed. It was reassuring 
to speak with someone who 
has gone through this,
” Rabbi 
Silberberg said.
Rabbi Yechiel Morris of 
Young Israel of Southfield 
notified congregants by email 
on Friday that the synagogue 
had suspended all minyanim, 
shiurim and programs until fur-
ther notice. “In addition, due to 
current health concerns, private 
minyanim, shiurim and get-to-
gethers should not be held at 
individual homes,
” he wrote.
Bergman said, “It is most 
important to help our congre-
gations. Each congregation 
is dealing with questions and 
how to connect.
” He said the 
Conservative movement had 
scheduled a conference call for 
March 17 for synagogue profes-
sionals to help them maintain 
congregational connections 
and self-care during the current 
situation.
As of press time on March 
16, 53 people in Michigan had 
tested positive for coronavirus 
in Michigan. 

14 | MARCH 19 • 2020 

The empty sanctuary 
at Temple Beth El in 
Bloomfield Township

TEMPLE BETH EL FACEBOOK

000_DJN031920_JD Synagogue Closings March 19.indd 14
000_DJN031920_JD Synagogue Closings March 19.indd 14
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