The Jewish community of Rockville Centre and surrounding neighborhoods are ringing in Hanukkah a bit differently in 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions and social distance guidelines.
Unable to hold its annual congregational gathering featuring a DJ, live music, latkes, doughnuts and refreshments, Congregation B’nai Sholom-Beth David is conducting a virtual Hanukkah via Zoom beginning this evening, Dec. 10, at 8:20 p.m., with the first lighting of the menorah.
“We have a nice party in the building for the whole congregation every year and we’re going to miss having it, especially for the kids,” said Marty Skolnick, President of the Congregation.
Dubbed “8 Crazy Nights of Candle Lighting,” Rabbi David J. Lerner said each night Congregation B’nai Sholom-Beth David will honor a different committee or group, which has helped members of the congregation persevere throughout the pandemic.
“It’s a fundraiser at its core, and since we’re unable to hold our usual party we came up with this virtual idea instead,” Lerner said. “Since the high holidays we’ve done so much virtually and we’ve been perfecting it. Everyone has been pleased with how we’ve been providing services during these times, so I think this will turn out well.”
The schedule of committees/groups to be recognized is as follows: Reopening Task Force, Rabbi Lerner and Cantor Alexandra Weiser, Communications Committee, Memorial Book/KOL Nidre Committees, Religious Life and Practices Committee, JLC/Board, Sisterhood, and Chai Lights Staff.
The menorah lighting will take place each night through Dec. 17 at 8:20 p.m., with the exception of this Saturday, Dec. 12, when Congregation B’nai Sholom-Beth David and Central Synagogue-Beth Emeth will hold a special collaborative celebration at 6 p.m. It’ll also be shown live on Zoom.
“We usually alternate in-person celebrations with Central Synagogue every year,” Lerner said. “This year we’re sharing a split screen on Zoom.”
After reciting the “kaddish,” a blessing said during the lighting along with the playing of some Hanukkah songs, the rabbis of both synagogues — Rabbi Lerner and Rabbi Michael G. Cohen of Central Synagogue-Beth Emeth — will share some teachings and remarks. Weiser and CSBE Cantorial Student Eryka Velasquez will sing.
“The whole community looks forward to it,” Cohen said of the joint celebration. “It’s a nice way to come together.”
Like Congregation B’nai Sholom-Beth David, services provided by CSBE have turned virtual during the pandemic, also utilizing Zoom. This Friday at 7 p.m. it will hold a virtual Shabbat Hanukkah service and members are encouraged to have their menorahs handy.
This Sunday, also via Zoom, CSBE Executive Director Joy Gluzman said a couple of parties will be held for youngsters beginning at 11 a.m. (infants-preschoolers) and 1 p.m. (kindergarten and up.) For more information and to request the Zoom link for any event, email jgluzman@csbeli.org or call (516) 766-4300.
Lastly, on Monday, Dec. 14 at noon, Rabbi Lerner and Cantor Weiser are leading a Hanukkah celebration via Zoom in coordination with the Friedberg Jewish Community Center in Oceanside. For more information, send an email to lcharschan@friedbergjcc.org.
