HEArtbeat

HEArtbeat: Celebrate Shabbat with HEA 

Rabbi Salomon Gruenwald,

Associate Rabbi

Now that the high holidays are over, how are we going to stay connected?

HEAConnect is opening up new groups for you to sign up for beginning today!
 
What is HEAConnect?
HEAConnect Groups are regular gatherings of five to fifteen members in people’s homes, offices, and other places that promote relationship building. During this sensitive time, groups are welcome to begin virtually. 

​​​​​​​They are led by HEAConnect Group Leaders. Some HEAConnect Groups will connect around common interests and affinities. Other groups will gather to discuss topics of deep concern or importance to their lives. All will engage in meaningful conversations and learning through curriculum provided by HEA.
 

HEArtbeat of the HEA:

The HEArt of Fall Holidays

                                                                       

From Shira Teed, HEA Director of Engagement 

____________________________________________________________________

HEArtbeat of the HEA:

The HEArt of Our Voices

https://youtu.be/eUD8rruJ6BE

Shabbat Shalom,
Laura Intfen
HEA CEO

HEArtbeat of the HEA: The HEArt of Making Lemonade

As the saying goes...

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!

But recently, immersed in the twin pandemics of COVID-19 and systemic racism, I’ve experienced a deeper sense of vulnerability and powerlessness, along with the “givens” of sadness, fear, and anger I imagine that everyone’s feeling. I usually spring into action mode in times of extreme need or crisis but the pandemic(s) and the implications around them felt too overwhelming to tackle as an individual. And then it became apparent to me all that HEA is (and can be) for all of us. It’s a portal to convene, support, and respond to those in need. As Engagement Director Shira Teed and her team of more than 45 HEA volunteers did when they reached out to every member of the congregation to “check-in”. It’s a “family” of lay and clergy there to help process and tackle the big stuff like job loss/economic insecurity, mental health challenges and the special stressors felt especially by those on the frontlines fighting the virus as our rabbis demonstrated through counseling congregants and holding support groups for healthcare workers.

Being part of HEA means an opportunity to be part of a larger, more collective voice for which to share views about what is and what should be in the Jewish and greater community, as Rabbi Gruenwald did when he and others went to the Capitol to stand in solidarity with those speaking out about the indignities and injustice black people in America experience.

HEA is our network. Tapping into it helps us realize and appreciate even with all the illness, sadness, and disappointment borne of the coronavirus, there have been some pretty beautiful moments too.

Twelve-year-old Hannah Gruenwald created dozens of beautiful, personalized cards to send to some of HEA’s older and unwell members.

To stay connected with our young families and make it possible for them to still enjoy some of the customs of Lag B’omer, HEA offered s’mores kits like this one fired up by Joel, Noah, and Rose Asrael.

That’s Hannah Kutnick, daughter of members Carla and Jay, sitting in a sea of 500 backpacks filled with school supplies ready to be donated to students in need. This is Hannah’s fourth year managing this incredible project!

Earlier this summer, the Grove family courageously spoke to the congregation about their painful experiences dealing with racism and specifically, what it’s like to be Jews of color in our community. What felt like incredibly shocking revelations to many of us on the Zoom call, has led to the creation of an HEA task force to address the deep divide and other issues preventing us from being an authentically welcoming and fully inclusive community.

The Grove Family: Winston, Yaacov, Yossi and Jami.

The Davis Family has been volunteering with Meals on Wheels, doing home deliveries for almost a year now. But with the onset of the Coronavirus, they’ve added another mitzvah: filling boxes with food to be picked up by clients of Jewish Family Service and others in need. If you’d like to volunteer with JFS, email volunteer@jewishfamilyservice.org, or to learn about opportunities to help via HEA, contact HEA Engagement Director, Shira Teed at shira@HEAdenver.org.

Seth, Bonnie, Aviva, and Brendan Davis.

On July 12th, sixty cyclists, including many from our HEA community, joined Micah Gruenwald and his Wheels of Justice team riding in memory of his brother Koby z”l and in support of pediatric cancer research and families facing cancer.

Although the in-person Courage Classic was canceled, Micah powered through, creating his own route Tour de Koby, with stops at places important to Koby and the Gruenwald family. To date, he’s raised an incredible $30,436!.

I’m certain others in the HEA family are doing things, great and small, to bring a little happiness or ease the burden of those around them. Many of us draw comfort and motivation from your efforts. Please share what you or those around you are doing by emailing shira@HEAdenver.org. With your permission, we’ll compile and share it on our website in our HEA Kvell Book.

If you or someone in your family needs some encouragement, connection, or other support, let us know that too by calling the office at (303) 758-9400.

Shabbat Shalom,
​​​​​​​Lisa Soicher
HEA VP, Development

HEArtbeat of the HEA: The HEArt of the Future

In my role as VP of Long Range Planning I get to embrace two of my passions, looking at the big picture and the future (strategic planning) and sweating the details (governance). It makes me feel incredibly connected to the HEA and gives me a strong sense of purpose and meaning in my volunteer efforts.

For me, the big picture is all about making each of you feel more connected to the HEA and to each other. There are many ways to do this, but, for this column, I want to talk about HEA Connect, the small group initiative that has recently been launched. These are small groups initiated and led by congregants, with support from Shira Teed, our Director of Engagement. The point of these groups is to allow you to connect and grow with others in the congregation that share your interests or affinities. If you are passionate about animal rights, learning about wine or exotic cuisines, combating racism, Jewish history, supporting our veterans and first responders, aging in place, Broadway shows, opera or almost anything else, or if you want to connect with others who live near you, this is your opportunity to form a HEA Connect group to pursue and enjoy that passion. Or, perhaps you want to connect with others to share and learn about parenting techniques and resources (or grandparenting!). Once we hear from you, we’ll let the congregation know about your interest and give you an opportunity to tell the congregation about your idea to see who else might share your interest. Please contact me or Shira to let us know what group you’d like to form.

My role concerning governance involves the Bylaws and policies of the synagogue (hence, my reference earlier to focusing on details), as well as recruitment of new Board and committee members, and leadership training opportunities for the Board. In a sense, the Bylaws are the constitution of the synagogue. The Board updates the Bylaws from time to time to respond to the changing needs of the congregation, but only after thoughtful consideration. I wish we had done this sooner, but it’s important to me and our leadership team that you have access to our current Bylaws, which you can find HERE. 

At the HEArt of everything the clergy, the staff and lay leaders do is YOU. You are the owners of this congregation; we are simply the stewards until the next generation succeeds us. 

I am so proud to be a member of this congregation. I am also proud to be part of a leadership team that is constantly looking for different and better ways to get you engaged. I would love to hear your thoughts on why you feel engaged at the HEA or what it would take to make you more engaged.

Shabbat Shalom,
  Bruce Likoff

VP of Long Range Planning

HEArtbeat of the HEA: The HEArt of the HEA President

What happens when days both blend together and yet seem to fly by? Our past four months of pandemic living have raised this question for me quite regularly. Looking forward to a vaccine and/or other treatments and imagining a return to a new normal (whatever it may be) make up many of my thoughts.
 
The first part of HEA’s new normal begins next week as Cantor Arielle Green officially joins our synagogue community. Her charm, strength, creativity, and talent will all be welcome additions. While we can all expect her to begin enhancing our worship services and finding ways to infuse more Jewish music in our days, we also have to be realistic about how far and fast her net can be cast. For most of our community, she will be connecting with us only virtually in the early going–no matter how creative we are with services and programming.
 
One of our unique features as a synagogue has been our two minyanim–the traditional service and Shir Hadash. As we have worked through the logistics of safely re-opening our building over the past three weeks under CDC guidelines, we have only been able to have one type of service. Our plan in the coming weeks is to once again resume concurrent Shir Hadash and traditional services, and we are working through what the plan looks like now. We know our community wants and needs both of these connections and look forward to bringing that back later this month.
 
High Holidays are just over three months away, and planning is well underway. You may not know it, but HEA was the first of the main Denver synagogues to reopen our doors for in-person Shabbat morning services, and we are planning for in-person and virtual High Holiday service options to meet needs of as much of our community as possible. We are being flexible with the planning of different options because of the virus, but firm in our goals of creating meaningful services and high-quality experiences for even remote attendees. Many thanks to Jeff Greenstein for his dedication to helping us livestream each week, as well as developing long-term livestreaming solutions for our building.
 
For the past couple of years, you may have heard about HEA’s strategic plan. The pandemic has altered the course of these plans, as it has most everything. Yet, under the direction of Bruce Likoff, our VP of Long Range Planning, lay leaders and clergy are embarking on near-term creative efforts around new programming and ways to connect with each other. The CDC guidelines recommend smaller group settings in the near-term. Stay tuned as we look to enhance our programming opportunities in the coming weeks.
 
For now, I am thrilled that we have the ability to come back into our beautiful building. Our Reopening Advisory Committee has implemented protocols and procedures to facilitate this opening with safety in mind for our clergy, staff, and community. Although it does feel strange seeing everyone in masks, the warmth of our community is still vibrant. We are lucky to have such a huge amount of space to spread out and feel very safe. If you feel like this is a healthy option for you, I encourage you to sign up for the weekly lottery.

Shabbat Shalom,
 
Seth Davis

HEA President

HEArtbeat of the HEA: The HEArt of a Legacy

With our HEA building closed for 3 months, what do you miss most?
 
Who do you wish you could visit with over kiddush?

Is there a shul friend with whom you have been longing to connect?

Are you experiencing a little spiritual homelessness?

If you have felt a little disconnected, you are not alone. Many of us are even grieving a bit the disruption to the routines and rituals that enhance and bring meaning to our lives as Jews. In-person morning minyanim, being with others for learning opportunities, kibitzing with the rabbis, Kabbalat Shabbatot… and so much more we’ve had to sacrifice for our health and well-being.

Sometimes we do not realize what we are missing, or how much value it holds until it is taken from us. It is in these moments we realize the lengths we would go to protect and preserve that which we value.

Our dedicated and creative HEA staff and clergy have done an exceptional job of pivoting our programming and worship to a virtual platform. Cooking demos, high-quality Torah learning opportunities, and virtual sederim. They have worked tirelessly to provide our children in the Preschool and Religious School with “the next best thing to being there” alternatives to make life feel as normal as possible for them.

It is because of all we could not experience that we have come to more deeply appreciate that the HEA Preschool is up and running again this week, albeit in a limited way for everyone’s safety. The happy voices of 3-year olds could be heard throughout the building making the parents and grandparents of these youngsters so appreciate the HEA can once again provide this loving, Jewish environment.  Another proud moment for HEA families occurred a couple of weeks ago when our 5th-grade Religious School students shared how they felt receiving their own Siddurim (prayer books).

Here are a few of the heartwarming comments we heard:

 “Receiving my Siddur made me a very proud Jew…made me feel on top of the world.”

“I feel closer to Judaism by having my very own Siddur.”

“I am excited to have my Siddur because it gives me a chance to learn on my own at home and with my family.”

I heard these comments while watching Shabbat services on my computer on YouTube. I am beyond grateful for the hidden blessing in the Covid crisis: the blessing of realizing what truly matters to me. The blessing of being part of a community that is so special, that when taken away in a physical way, makes me understand how much I need it.

Please think about the importance of protecting what we have. We face vulnerability when we do not take steps to ensure our future. We all have a role and we can ALL help, regardless of our means. Please, speak with those closest to you about the importance of the HEA to you. Share with them what you value. Take steps so those values are what they remember about you long after you are gone. Consider designating the HEA as a percentage beneficiary of your life insurance policy or retirement account. Think about including the synagogue in your Will or Trust. There are lots of options to explore. I would love to explain them over Zoom coffee or on the phone. Please call the synagogue and they’ll give you my cell number, or email me at lynngeller19@gmail.com. 

Please join my husband Bill and me, and the 50+ other families who have included the Hebrew Educational Alliance in their estate plans.

Shabbat Shalom,
 
Lynn Geller
Chair, HEA Live On | LIFE & LEGACY (TM)

HEArtbeat of the HEA: Reopening Update

An early Shabbat shalom to you,

Since we first began responding and adapting to the COVID virus in March, decisions at the HEA have been driven by Jewish values and the safety and health of our members, our staff and our community. As we step into a new normal planning for our reopening, the drivers of the decisions that we are making have not changed.

Our Reopening Advisory Committee has mapped out the first Phase of reopening HEA. This committee has thoughtfully and carefully planned out this first step. All procedures are based on the latest information received from the state of Colorado, the city of Denver and the CDC. While our building is open to staff, all visitors to the building must have an appointment and abide by the regulations found in the Phase 1 plan. You can find that plan HERE.

Our clergy has been making tough decisions regarding worship services. While we continue to livestream our daily minyan and Shabbat services, the pull to come together is strong. Here are some updates on what the committee and staff are working on:

• Our Reopening Advisory Committee will be in their cars in our parking lot next Friday evening as we experiment with an outdoor/drive in Kabbalat Shabbat service. This service will be livestreamed also.
• Our Cantor’s arrival in mid-July will coincide with our first “in sanctuary” Shabbat morning worship as the rabbis and Cantor Green take to the bimah on July 18 with the davening team present in the pews.
• We are getting close to welcoming congregants back through our doors and hope to have a plan and procedures to communicate in a couple of weeks.

These small but positive steps will require using outdoor worship spaces (like the sukkah and our front lawn), limiting attendees, signup sheets, rest room and elevator limitations, signage and directional tape on the floor to prepare the building for physical distancing, personal hygiene and building cleanliness.

Part of the reopening process is up to YOU. You will have to make your own decisions on attendance based on your comfort level, your vulnerability to the virus, your travel history and your contact history. Research surrounding the virus has confirmed the higher risks groups of individuals over 65 years of age and/or with underlying health conditions including diabetes, overweight, or immune deficiencies or other chronic health conditions. It is strongly recommended that anyone fitting any of those descriptions stay home and watch us on our livestream.  

As the Advisory Committee continues to meet, a Phase 2 plan will be created within the next week and I encourage you to keep up with the latest news through our emails and on our website. Along with Phase 2 policies, the summer will bring more information on:

•  A safe, but meaningful High Holy Days for our entire community.
•  An experiential Religious School road map using both in class and virtual platforms.
• Small groups meeting online, or in the beautiful outdoors that our state offers.
• Adult education offerings using a variety of medians.
• The continuation of Chesed check in calls for our members requesting weekly connections.  

HEA Preschool is opening on Monday, June 15 for camp with limited enrollment. Our preschool team is moving forward, in partnership with the families of our students to offer a safe and secure environment within our walls. With thoughtful and consistent precautions, the laughter of children will be filling our halls once again soon.
 
We are all well-aware of the various struggles during these difficult times as we manage through the COVID-19 crisis. While saddened by daily reminders of lives lost and the impact both domestically and internationally, we are gratified to know that we are part of such a strong and supportive community here at HEA. The spirituality and continued bond of our membership is crucial as we strive to navigate the re-opening process in as safe and compliant a manner as possible.

Programming Note: Tomorrow (June 6) at noon, following our Shabbat service, join Rabbi Gruenwald and Rabbi Dollin for an important Kiddush and Kibbutz, with special guests, HEA members Winston and Jami Grove. They will be facilitating a discussion and sharing stories based on their family experiences as Jewish African Americans living in our world today. There is a different zoom connect for this program which can be found on the website or in the weekly HEA email.

With anticipation of being together soon,
Laura Intfen
CEO

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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

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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