HEArtbeat

HEArtbeat of the HEA Board President

"Hope is a good thing, maybe best of things and no good thing ever dies." 

- Andy Dufresne in the movie The Shawshank Redemption (one of my all-time favorites).
 
It is the simplest things lately that give me hope. It’s old fashioned fun from my youth that I see making comebacks, like sidewalk chalk and family puzzles. It’s trying new things I never tried before, and learning new skills and new things about myself. I have made a shortlist of examples that have brought these small joys to my family.
 
Seth – Learned to bake challah and now loves doing this every Friday, often with my daughter.
Bonnie – Planned and pulled off a surprise 50th Zoom birthday party for my sister in Florida.
Aviva (11) – Gained skills and confidence on her bike and never wants to be away from it.
Brendan (15) – Learned to drive on almost deserted roads (highways too).
 
We dream of things we miss. We talk about what is next, and what will change, and what we just don’t know. I suspect you are all doing the same. We realize the shutdown and economic challenges have slowed our lives, and yet we also have come to understand we must push forward and live amidst the reality. 
 
As we have watched many businesses around town begin to re-open, it raises understandable questions about when HEA can do the same. Here are answers to questions we are commonly hearing from our members.
 
When will HEA reopen for services and preschool?
HEA has a re-opening committee working hard on ensuring we have the protocols and safety plans in place to return to our building. We are hoping to be back within a month, with limits to the number of people allowed in the building. It will look different, just like everything else looks different. The value of pekuach nefesh (preserving life) is hugely important in our plans and more updates will be coming your way as plans are finalized.
 
The preschool’s reopening has different factors, based on the CDC’s stringent guidelines for what will be allowed. We are currently targeting a modified summer session both online and in-person, now that the traditional school year is complete.
 
When HEA reopens will there still be live streaming (video)?
The word streaming is a part of our lexicon now. Our offerings have grown tremendously in the months of shutdown, and will continue to evolve. When we reopen our building, HEA will continue to bring services, programming, and connection to our members through live streaming. We are working on an upgraded streaming solution that will be integrated with our sound system, and will likely include connections with our chapel, sanctuary, and GYC.
 
Will HEA have in-person services for the High Holidays?
We hope so, but it is too early to know what the CDC and state requirements will be on the maximum gathering size come late September. We are making plans as if services will be held in person and working through logistical changes to maintain social distancing rules, if necessary. Additionally, we are also working through plans to be as creative as possible, and offer as much remote connection for members that may not be ready or able to join in-person. We’ll also be prepared for alternatives if we are not allowed to complete our High Holiday worship in-person.
 
HEA was a recipient of a PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loan from the Small Business Association.  Why did we apply?
The Federal government realized early on the pandemic’s stay-at-home orders were likely to have a dramatic economic impact. To try and limit the burden on the unemployment system and to keep employees working, they created a program to incentivize employers to not lay off their most important asset--employees. As a religious non-profit, HEA’s employees do not receive traditional unemployment benefits if they were furloughed or laid off. 
 
We have begun to see the impact on our membership from the economic fallout. Additionally, we have seen Preschool revenues dropped by more than 75% between February and May 2020, even as we have continued to offer daily remote classes, storytime, and other weekly programming for the families.
 
This loan is more like a grant, and we expect it will be forgiven by the Federal Government this summer.
 
Is HEA in a good financial position to make it through this pandemic?
YES! Though frankly, we know many for-profit and non-profit organizations will be challenged to survive. HEA has always prudently managed our finances, including that we had no debt coming into the pandemic. Additionally, HEA entered the month of May 2020 with our endowment intact and operating funds to help us navigate the times ahead.
 
With unemployment rates skyrocketing, HEA has been and will continue to be meaningfully impacted by COVID-19. We are working hard on detailed plans to adjust our budget to match our projected reductions in revenue. The Rabbis and our CEO have stepped up to support our shul by reducing their compensation while we continue to adjust to our smaller budget.
 
Your support is incredibly important to our ongoing success, and we can’t tell you how much you all keep us energized about our mission of inspiring lives of meaning. Our history of 92 years and our committed members will bring a “new normal” of continued strength in the “little joys” of life, the tough moments when we lean on each other, and the big simchas to come.

Shabbat Shalom,

Seth Davis, HEA President

DONATIONS

HEArtbeat of Sisterhood

I hope all the HEA community is managing well and staying healthy during these difficult COVID times. When I started my report for the HEA Highlights, everything in life was still quite normal. But like many of you, that time feels both like it was yesterday, as well as a lifetime ago.
When I joined the Sisterhood Board in 2013, my only question to myself at the time was, “Why didn’t I get involved sooner?” thanks to the remarkably rewarding experience it has been.

I was aware of some of the things Sisterhood does for the community. Yet there were some I did not know of. Assuming this might be the case for some, I would like to share the contributions Sisterhood makes, and how they benefit the HEA and our Jewish community.

Since Sisterhood relies on the generous donations to continue its work, I will also share a very simple, yet meaningful way you and your loved ones can continue your much-appreciated support at the end of this report. During normal times, the difference you make by contributing to Sisterhood is wonderful. But during trying times, with everything Sisterhood wishes to help with, the difference you make is nothing short of remarkable.

Our Sisterhood Board President is Marla Cohen who works tirelessly to make Sisterhood benefit the community. Didi Zeichner is our Sisterhood representative on the HEA Board.

Sisterhood was started in 1927 to benefit local Jewish youth. This is very important to us, which is why we remain committed to continuing our support.

Every year, Sisterhood provides the following:

- Scholarships for summer Jewish camps and IST
- Kiddush for Youth Shabbat, Sisterhood Shabbat, and 
  Shabbat during Chanukah
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​- Gifts for B’nai Mitzvah and Newborns
- Sukkot decorations for Religious school and Preschool 
- Fresh flowers on the bimah for all Jewish holidays

 
With restrictions due to COVID, some of Sisterhood’s usual contributions have been interrupted. This year Sisterhood contributed to half the cost of the replacement rugs for the Preschool. There was a Sisterhood sponsored Tisha B’Av seder during kiddush in February. Sisterhood has sponsored free Cook and Drash sessions for various Jewish holidays such as Rosh Hashana, Sukkot, Chanukah, Purim, Pesach, and Shavuot, where we cook or bake a traditional holiday dish and attend a drash by Marlene Richter or Melanie Gruenwald.
 
When Hesed was having difficulty getting enough volunteers to cook meals for those in need, Sisterhood supported Hesed and have made an enormous difference.We schedule cooking days in the HEA kitchen which, as an added benefit, they are a lot of fun. We have made many meals such as soups, roast chicken with vegetables, baked salmon and roast vegetables, lasagna, banana bread, and challah. These meals are frozen and ready to go when there is a demand at short notice.
 
Sisterhood assisted HEAbros by purchasing a grill for the summer picnic they sponsored in 2019. And, during Sukkot this past year Sisterhood, together with HEAbros, provided a community dinner “Soup and Chili in the Sukkah” which was very well attended. Sisterhood volunteers baked approximately 500 hamantashen for Purim this year to sell at the Purim carnival.
 
As I mentioned earlier, there’s actually a wonderful way in which you can contribute. On your phone, make sure you download the King Soopers app and follow the next few steps. Simply log into your King Soopers account or open your King Soopers App. In there, tap on “Rewards” then tap “Community Rewards.” In there, you will be able to search for participating organizations. Simply choose Hebrew Educational Alliance – Sisterhood.
How does this help? Every time you shop at King Soopers stores and enter your rewards card number, Sisterhood will receive 5% of your total.
 
Sisterhood also participates in Shop with Scrip. Many vendors donate a percentage of what you spend on a store card to Sisterhood. When buying gift cards consider buying through this program. When you are next at a store, buy store cards online through Shop with Scrip and use those for your purchases. Know you are donating to a worthy cause as you do so. And please ask loved ones to do the same. Just imagine how much Sisterhood can do if you help spread the word. 5% of each purchase adds up quite considerably.
 
For more details on signing up for these programs visit HEAdenver.org/sisterhood. Sisterhood still has The HEArt of Cooking cookbooks and aprons on sale for those who wish to support us.
 
Anyone interested in being notified of Sisterhood programs, purchasing cookbooks and aprons, or volunteering for events please email Marla Cohen at sisterhood@HEAdenver.org.
 
With everything being in a state of suspension now, I look forward to getting back to involvement in the HEA, be it Sisterhood, Ritual or Hesed. I am sure you are all eager to go back to our enriching HEA services and community events.
 
As VP of community, I have deep concern for all of HEA. I understand how challenging our times are under COVID restrictions and invite any of you in need of meals, or other assistance from Hesed, to reach out to me. The HEA Board continues to meet every month to conduct synagogue business and is committed to making sure the community is well cared for.
 
I wish you and your families good health, and I look forward to the day we can once again be together in the HEA sanctuary.

Shabbat Shalom,
Jill Levy
VP Community

Long-distance runner, what you standing there for?
Get up, get out, get out of the door.

The above lyrics, from one of my favorite songs, is a representation of how we all felt in mid-March. The world had pivoted, and we were paralyzed by surroundings that had become volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. 

Then…we sprinted.

The Alliance staff, lay leadership, teachers, and congregants sprinted to Passover. We learned more about our technology in just a few days than many of us had learned in years. We Zoomed, TikToked, Periscoped, Marco Poloed, Facetimed, and used our smartphones as actual phones as we called each other. We had services, classes, happy hours, and even Seders online. Now, on the other side of Passover, and journeying as Jews do through the 49 days of the Omer to Shavuot, we have switched from sprinting to running a marathon. I am grateful every day that the HEA community began this race together.

HEA is adapting to meeting increased needs of connection, spirituality, learning, and help. We are retooling our operations to serve the entire community while ensuring the safety of our staff, volunteers, and congregants. We’ve mobilized to shore up services, life cycle events, programs, and connections. But there is no such thing as being over-prepared as this crisis evolves. 

A Reopening Advisory Committee has been formed. In order to return to worshiping, celebrating, mourning, learning, eating, laughing, and working together, we need to look at many complicated and intertwined factors so that our return is done safely, securely, healthily and orderly. This group will be relying on data using federal, state, local, and CDC recommendations to create what the road in front of us looks like. 

In the meantime, know that HEA is here and inspiring lives of meaning.  We are offering worship services, life cycle events, classes, and programming online. Our Religious School is brimming with Zoom classes and check-ins and our Pre School teachers are reaching out into the houses of our families with song, stories, silliness, and love. Our Relational Judaism initiative continues as we talk to members through online virtual living room meetings and our Hesed. Our HEArt continues to beat as we call each other just to say “hi” and “how are you?”. 

And while we are on the topic of our HEArt, keep looking for our HEArtbeat on Fridays in your email inbox as members of the staff, clergy and lay leadership offer messages of how we as humans and the Alliance as a community are confronting these volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous times with texts of Torah, seeing the spark of God in all of us, and acts of kindness. For not only is HEA built on these three ideas and ideals, but so it is with the world.

Stay safe, visit our website, and please call my cell phone (816-516-6050) with any questions, concerns, needs, or just to say “Hi”. Let’s be long-distance runners together. One step at a time.

Laura Intfen