Temple B’rith Sholom is committed to keeping
our Temple family safe during these times of
COVID-19 and its effect on our community.
There are now two ways for congregants to worship: (1) through a closed live streaming platform or, (2) by attending Shabbat services in the facility. For several weeks, we have been live streaming services through our closed Facebook page and we now have improved our video and audio capabilities for a better “YouTube” recording of the service. Now, under the current phase of control measures, we are now able to open the sanctuary for services and allow a larger group of attendees to our sanctuary.
Live Streamed Services.
For those that cannot attend in person, we will live stream every Shabbat service every Friday, beginning at 5:30 pm, unless we experience an equipment failure. If you want the link information for the “YouTube” connection, please contact the office (217-525-1360) between the hours of 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM and ask to speak with a temple officer. To enhance the on-line security of our services, we must control the access.
We have Shabbat prayer books to loan out on a temporary basis, and they also are for sale in the Temple gift shop. You can also follow along in the prayer book while watching the service on YouTube by connecting to this link:
The Temple board is pleased to be able to bring our religious services into your homes, and we hope that you are enjoying the experience and getting some comfort and satisfaction from it.
Attending Services in the Sanctuary.
We are complying with the guidelines established by the State of Illinois which are to require face masks, ensure social distancing, and limit the number in attendance to that allowed within the stage of reopening.
We sanitize the sanctuary and common areas weekly with a fogging device and sanitizer using chemicals that destroy germs and viruses and we sanitize the prayer books. Rabbi Datz has arranged for piano or organ music during the service, with no group singing to take place. (Humming along is allowed.)
We have resumed regular Shabbat services at 5:30 pm every Friday until further notice. Please adhere to the following:
1) FACE MASKS ARE REQUIRED.
2) PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING. ONLY SIT WITHIN 6 FEET OF MEMBERS OF YOUR OWN HOUSEHOLD.
3) RESTRICT USE OF THE ELEVATOR TO THOSE THAT REQUIRE IT AND ONLY WITH MEMBERS OF YOUR OWN HOUSEHOLD. USE YOUR KNUCKLE TO PUSH CONTROL BUTTONS.
4) BE ON TIME SO THAT WE CAN HELP ENSURE OUR SAFETY MEASURES ARE FOLLOWED AS CONGREGANTS ARRIVE AND ARE SEATED.
5) SIT ONLY IN DESIGNATED AREAS.
Note: There will be no food service at any function for the foreseeable future.
While there is no substitute for being present in our beautiful sanctuary, we hope that you will enjoy and benefit a religious experience whether from the comfort and safety of your home or in attendance at the sanctuary where we are following all rules of social distancing, wearing masks, and sanitizing the entire area after every service.
Please let us know how we can help you with your Shabbat experience and we are hoping to worship together very soon.
