Temple News

The Annual Meeting of the members of  The New Reform Temple, will held on Friday, May 15, 2020, at 6:00 pm online via ZOOM. For information how to access the meeting, please contact the Temple office.

Shabbat service will follow the meeting at 6:30 p.m. online on the Temple’s Facebook page.

The community is invited to share the experience of this year’s Yom HaShoah service, offered through video for the safety of our community. Although unable to gather in person, the organizing agencies have identified ways to maintain the abiding traditions of Yom HaShoah and to honor the legacy of both those lost during the Holocaust as well as those who survived it.

This years’ service commemorates 75 years since the end of World War II and the liberation of the survivors, 77 years since the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, and the 57th anniversary of the dedication of the Memorial to the Six Million. The program, which includes the lighting of 6 candles in memory of the six million Jewish victims, will be available on April 21, 2020 at 1:30 pm at www.mchekc.org as well as through the social media platforms of MCHE, Jewish Community Relations Bureau/AJC, and the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City. At the conclusion of the video, community members are invited to light a candle in your home in memory of the 6 million and in honor of the survivors.

Shabbat Morning Torah Study at 9:00 am, will be accessible online through ZOOM. If you wish to join us for Torah Study, you will need to provide us with your email address so that we can send you an invite.

We are living in trying times.  The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted every part of our lives.

The New Reform Temple is a spiritual community but, for the time being, we must connect online. We are strengthened by sharing our hopes, fears, and feelings with each other.  Join Rabbi Londy along with other NRT members for an hour of talk, sharing, and, hopefully, some humor on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm.  Talk if you like.  Sit back and listen if you prefer. Only people who want to share will be asked to do so.

If you want to participate, email the temple at info@thenewreformtemple.com and we will send you an invite to our Zoom Conversation.

If you want to set up a time to speak privately with Rabbi Londy, contact the office at 816-523-7809 and we will set up a time.

Effective Monday, March 16 through March 31, The New Reform Temple will be closed to the public. Our Friday Shabbat Service will be viewable online through The Temple’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/newreformtemple?rf=111719738863451). Shabbat Morning Torah Study will be accessbile through ZOOM. If you wish to join us for Torah Study, you will need to provide us with your email address so that we can send you an invite.

Dear Friends,

All of us are aware of the COVID-19 outbreak that has become a public health concern. We hope that this health crisis will resolve itself with the least amount of sickness. Yet, we are aware that each of us must help to limit the impact of this disease and to function with a heightened sense of alertness and precaution. Judaism teaches us that we address challenges by working cooperatively within the community to support one and other.

We are instituting some simple precautions to address our current situation.

* Hand sanitizers are located throughout the congregation. Please make use of these upon entering the building. We will be strictly enforcing this precaution at Friday night worship and at our Oneg Shabbat.

* Enhanced cleaning and sanitation protocols have been implemented for our custodial staff.

* Hand sanitizer and sanitizing solutions will be in our religious school classrooms so students and teachers may sanitize as needed.

In addition to these sanitation efforts, we ask that our community work together to ensure the health and safety of our fellow congregants:

* If you have any cold or flu symptoms, please remain at home until you are free of symptoms.

* If you suspect/know you are exposed to coronavirus – either locally or through travel – please ensure you are symptom free before coming to Temple. We encourage you to seek appropriate medical assistance.

* In order to prevent any inadvertent transmission of disease, please do your best to minimize hand shaking, kissing, and hugging when greeting friends.

We will continue to monitor information and follow recommendations, as provided by the Missouri Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control. In the unlikely event that the congregation and/or religious school is required to temporarily close, we will keep you informed via email, our website, social media, and local news stations.

Comprehensive information on COVID-19 is available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html and https://health.mo.gov/

These are trying times for all of us, but we will get through it. Let us all be supportive and sensitive to each other’s needs and fears. If any of you have specific concerns, please reach out to us so we can be there for you.

Thank you for your attention and cooperation.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Alan David Londy, D.Min.
Bradley Freilich, President