NOVEMBER 4 • 2021 | 19

hosting services both in-person 
as well as streamed in order to 
reach all of the community. “
As 
things continue to change, we 
will adapt as we have through-
out the pandemic,
” he says.
Rabbi Asher Lopatin reports 
that Kehillat Etz Chayim in 
Huntington Woods “is mak-
ing every effort to ensure an 
uplifting and safe davening for 
everyone.
”
Rabbi Lopatin explains, “To 
that end, we have determined 
that if you are 12 years old and 
older, you must be fully vac-
cinated to attend any of our 
indoor davening or activities. 
While we respect individual 
rights and understand some may 
choose to not be vaccinated, 
this step is necessary to protect 
our wider community. Properly 
worn masks, covering the nose 
and mouth, are also mandatory 
when inside the shul buildings 
for all adults and children over 
2 years old. Within these guide-
lines we are thrilled to have chil-
dren in our services.
”

A ‘BRACELET’ SYSTEM
Robert Rich, executive direc-
tor of Congregation Shaarey 
Zedek in Southfield, is proud 
that Shaarey Zedek was one of 
the first to open up after the 
lockdown. “Pretty much all 
the synagogues came to the 
decision to shut down in-per-
son activities together back in 
March,” he recalls. 
The decision to reopen was 
made in consultation with the 
synagogue’s medical advisory 
committee, including special-
ists in infectious diseases and 
epidemiology. “They have 
been advising us on all of our 
decisions,” Rich says. “We want 
everyone to be comfortable 
and safe when they come back 
in … and we do want them to 
come back in, fully participat-
ing and keeping safe.” 
Rich adds that people have 
different comfort levels. “Some 
want to maintain an extra 

degree of care; some want to 
get back closer to normal. So, 
we set up a system for mem-
bers to indicate to each other 
how they feel about physical 
proximity to each other using 
colored bracelets.” 
 Rich said Shaarey Zedek 
didn’t invent the system but is 
happy to use it:
• For people who want to 
avoid any physical contact and 
maintain distance from every-
one: a red bracelet. 
• For those comfortable 
with elbow bumps, but not 
hugs and handshakes: a yellow 
bracelet.
• For those who accept 
hugs and handshakes: a green 
bracelet. 
“This makes awkward con-
versations not necessary and 
respects everybody’s level of 
comfort,” Rich says. 
Shaarey Zedek maintains 
other policies for safety. The 
congregation asks people 
to wear masks indoors and 
to stay home if they’re sick. 
The congregation has made 
changes to increase ventila-
tion and opened additional 
space to increase both air-
flow and physical distance. 
It has increased the distance 
between clergy and con-
gregation. It holds many 
events outside, including the 
youth Shabbat experience 
“Prayground.” Kiddish is held 
outdoors, too. 
“But we do want people to 
come back; physical proximity 
is a significant part of expe-
riencing that you belong to a 
community,” Rich says.
Congregation Or Chadash 
in Oak Park has met in a tent 
in a congregant’s backyard for 
more than a year, which, of 
course, included the Michigan 
winter. Much of the congrega-
tion would rather not spend 
another winter out-of-doors; 
the congregation currently 
debates what rules should 
apply to indoor services. 

PHOTO CREDIT: JAMIE BUSH + CO. AND LAURA HULL

WE ARE OBSERVING ALL STATE COVID-19
GUIDELINES & RESTRICTIONS

248.709.9648

Let our experienced team at Le Shoppe Too & Changing 
Hands handle your Estate Sale needs. Your items can 
be valued and consigned or auctioned at our store. 
We offer hands free-hassle free estate sales.

Call Leslie Weisberg today for a free consultation

changinghandsestates.com

3325 ORCHARD LAKE RD, KEEGO HARBOR, MI

248.481.8884

www.leshoppetoo.com

UPSCALE CONSIGNMENT & AUCTION HOUSE

ICONIC 20th CENTURY FURNITURE, 
FINE-ART, HOME DECOR & LIGHTING

Support Local 
Businesses

HOURS

TUES–SAT Noon–5pm | MON closed
SUN & evenings by appointment only

FREE
preliminary
art appraisals 
Wednesday’s 12-4
with Terri

DFAA:

248.672.3207
DetroitFAA.com

DetroitFineArtAppraisals@gmail.com

ICONIC 20th CENTURY FURNITURE, 
FINE-ART, HOME DECOR & LIGHTING

PHOTO CREDIT: JAMIE BUSH + CO. AND LAURA HULL

WE ARE OBSERVING ALL STATE COVID-19
GUIDELINES & RESTRICTIONS

248.709.9648

Let our experienced team at Le Shoppe Too & Changing 
Hands handle your Estate Sale needs. Your items can 
be valued and consigned or auctioned at our store. 
We offer hands free-hassle free estate sales.

Call Leslie Weisberg today for a free consultation

changinghandsestates.com

3325 ORCHARD LAKE RD, KEEGO HARBOR, MI

248.481.8884

www.leshoppetoo.com

UPSCALE CONSIGNMENT & AUCTION HOUSE

ICONIC 20th CENTURY FURNITURE, 
FINE-ART, HOME DECOR & LIGHTING

Support Local 
Businesses

HOURS

TUES–SAT Noon–5pm | MON closed
SUN & evenings by appointment only

FREE
preliminary
art appraisals 
Wednesday’s 12-4
with Terri

DFAA:

248.672.3207
DetroitFAA.com

DetroitFineArtAppraisals@gmail.com

NOW 
ACCEPTING 
CONSIGNMENTS
for our upcoming 
auction: 

SUNDAY, 
DEC. 5th

WE ARE OBSERVING ALL STATE COVID-19
GUIDELINES & RESTRICTIONS

Let our experienced team at Le Shoppe Too 
& Changing Hands handle your Estate Sale needs.

PHOTO CREDIT: JAMIE BUSH + CO. AND LAURA HULL

WE ARE OBSERVING ALL STATE COVID-19
GUIDELINES & RESTRICTIONS

248.709.9648

Let our experienced team at Le Shoppe Too & Changing 
Hands handle your Estate Sale needs. Your items can 
be valued and consigned or auctioned at our store. 
We offer hands free-hassle free estate sales.

Call Leslie Weisberg today for a free consultation

changinghandsestates.com

3325 ORCHARD LAKE RD, KEEGO HARBOR, MI

248.481.8884

www.leshoppetoo.com

UPSCALE CONSIGNMENT & AUCTION HOUSE

ICONIC 20th CENTURY FURNITURE, 
FINE-ART, HOME DECOR & LIGHTING

Support Local 
Businesses

HOURS

TUES–SAT Noon–5pm | MON closed

SUN & evenings by appointment only

FREE
preliminary
art appraisals 
Wednesday’s 12-4
with Terri

DFAA:

248.672.3207
DetroitFAA.com

DetroitFineArtAppraisals@gmail.com

Call Leslie Weisberg today for a 
free consultation: 248.709.9648
changinghandsestates.com

Your items of high value can be:

Auctioned • Consigned
We offer hands free estate sales

