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In an abundance of caution, and based on the guidance and consultation of the Governor’s and Mayor’s offices, as well as medical experts and the Synagogue leadership, we have made the very difficult decision to cancel all events, including services, for the next two weeks.

As the oldest continuously active Orthodox Synagogue in Maryland, with services going back to 1873, we do not take this lightly. Our resident historian, Fred Shoken, has shared with us that the last time such action was taken was during the influenza pandemic of 1918, when all houses of worship in Baltimore City were closed for two weeks in October of that year. But, we also know that we have a halachic obligation to guard our health and to do no harm. Here that means to do our part to slow the spread of this pandemic virus and flatten the curve so that our health systems are not overwhelmed, and that the most vulnerable are not seriously impacted. We hope and pray that when we look back at this moment, it was our collective responses and responsible choices that made a marked difference.

Please use this time to pray with even more fervor, to study the weekly Torah portion, to have some time for meaningful introspection and for other productive and spiritual endeavors. If you are in need of pastoral or other support, please reach out to Rabbi Mintz. If you are looking for someone to say kaddish in memory of a loved one, we will arrange for such, so please be in touch. While this is time of physical and social distancing, let’s equally use it to bring us closer. Use it as a time to reach out to friends, family, community members, and especially those who may be alone. It’s moments like this that we realize how dependent we are on one another and our community.

May it be a Shabbat of Healing and Peace