Covid Update - May 12th, 2020
Shalom Agudath Achim,
Yesterday, Governor John Bel Edwards introduced Phase One of the Roadmap to a Resilient Louisiana. This proclamation allows certain businesses, including houses of worship, to reopen in a limited fashion, starting this Friday, May 15.
Just because we may reopen our physical space does not necessarily mean that we should reopen. In discussion with several medical professionals in our congregation, we have decided to stay with solely online services and classes, at least through the end of May. At our next board meeting on May 31, we will decide how to proceed, and we will share those decisions at the annual meeting directly afterwards.
Please keep in mind that when we decide that our building is open to the public, we will proceed with caution, in stages. At that time, we will aim to provide face masks to our congregants and to exercise safety in seating, prayer book distribution, and cleanliness.
Even after we reopen our building, those who feel unwell or uncomfortable coming to services should feel free to participate from the comfort of their own homes. Our Saturday morning services can now be viewed via live-stream on our website by clicking this link.
In everything we do as a congregation, we must remember the Talmudic notion that to save one life is to save an entire world. When we make policies oriented towards saving lives, even in our small community, we can act as a positive model to other communities around us. At the same time as we embrace caution and patience, we must also recognize our inherent need to gather and to celebrate our Judaism. And of course, our phone and email lines are open, should you or your family need any support or assistance.
While I have certainly cherished the past two months of virtual prayer, learning, and honest discussion with you, I look forward to a date upon which we can safely, wisely gather in person.
Bivrakhah, with blessings of health and hope,
Rabbi Sydni
Welcome to Agudath Achim
Congregation Agudath Achim is an inclusive, egalitarian Conservative* congregation in Shreveport, Louisiana, affiliated with United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism (USCJ), whose members are committed to each other, to active participation in worship services, to meaningful Jewish learning, and to spiritual growth.
*Conservative Judaism is a denomination that is not affiliated or synonymous with any political association. USCJ's mission is as follows:
"We strengthen kehillot (Jewish communities inside and outside the walls of a synagogue). We are the network that ensures there are thriving centers of Jewish practice across North America, Israel, and beyond that celebrate both tradition and contemporary life. Together, we demonstrate what an authentic and dynamic Judaism looks like, inspire people to be a part of it, and advance its critical role in the world”