We hope you and your loved ones are in good health and spirits.
Taking precautions and listening to medical advice will save lives. At the same time, panic is counterproductive. We all need to continue living and thriving while taking reasonable measures.
As Jews, we know that G‑d Al-mighty has not changed one bit, and is in FULL control of every aspect of the universe. NOTHING can happen, without His instruction.
This basic faith and trust, should calm us.
As we take extra precautions to avoid contagion, it's important to strengthen those areas of our 'spiritual' health that have a direct effect on our physical health.
It is vital that first and foremost we turn our hearts and minds to Almighty G‑d, who can provide the ultimate means of protection and healing for the entire world. We will take all of the practical cautionary advisory steps to keep everyone healthy, but we must never lose sight of the importance and power of Prayer.
As always, the safety of our community and visitors is our number one priority. We are following all updates and regulations from the CDC, Orange County and State of FL Health Department.
As the Coronavirus keeps spreading in the USA, please be advised of the following important information and protocols regarding the Center’s regular and special programs and services. Obviously, this situation is very fluid and the guidance and changes will be updated as necessary. Based on the information we have at this point, our plans for the Center are as follows:
At Chabad South Orlando, we are dedicated to creating a safe and happy place for everyone.
In light of the Coronavirus, we are increasing our high standards of hygiene and cleanliness at the Center, and our custodian crew is working overtime. We are implementing the following additional guidelines:
- Remain home if you or any family members, children etc. are sick or showing any signs of sickness, even a slight cold, fever or cough.
- We reserve the right to ask anyone to leave the premises if we feel they are not 100% healthy.
- Share with us if you, a friend or close relative has been on a cruise ship or traveled overseas in the past three weeks or has been in close contact with someone who has.
- Everyone must use hand sanitizer before entering the building - available at the main front entrance.
- Please wash your hands with soap and water often during your visit at the Center, utilizing the ceremonial and bathroom sinks in the Center.
- No handshaking, high fives, kisses or hugs.
- Visitors or anyone who has recently traveled overseas are asked kindly not to attend the Center for the next three weeks.
- Shabbat dinner, lunch and other events with food will be served individually by our staff. No self-serve buffets.
- Seating at services and meals will be some distance from each other.
- Large attendance will have groups of seating in multiple rooms at the Center.
- Please do not Kiss the Torah, Mezuzah, Siddur.
- If possible please bring your own Yarmulke, Tallit.
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For STUDENTS in:
- Orlando Jewish Day School
- Chai Preschool
- Chabad Hebrew School - Dr Phillips
- Chabad Hebrew School - Winter Garden
UPDATE 3/13/2020 6:00pm :
ALL FL Schools will be closed per FL Governor. To be announced formally soon.....
As the Dept of Education in conjunction with the health authorities have advised schools not to close, we will remain open. We will continue to be in contact with the health authorities and update you if any changes are made.
We are following all procedures set by the CDC to contain and mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus, and we are in contact with other agencies both Federal and State in order to stay abreast of any new developments.
During this time, students are being encouraged to wash hands and disinfect often. Students are reminded to Cough and sneeze into a tissue and throw away in trash.
One of the best preventive measures is practicing good personal hygiene and specifically proper handwashing. We ask all parents to take this opportunity to remind your children of these healthy practices. We are posting colorful flyers all around the school giving guidance and reminders to children and staff to wash their hands properly.
The cleaning staff has been briefed and updated regarding increased precautions that include deeper disinfecting measures, including the use of cleaning chemicals that have the ability to kill viruses as well as common bacteria. Best practices are in place based on, and exceeding, local, state and federal health guidelines.
If your child is feeling unwell, please keep them home and focus on their recovery.
Same applies to any family members, children, who are sick or showing any signs of sickness, even a slight cold, fever or cough.
We are here to help, so if you or one of your family members is not well, please let us know so we can be there for you.
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It behooves ALL of us to be more prudent and careful; we are requesting that everyone complies with all official health policies. We are praying for the health and healing of all those who are affected by this illness and the safety and health of the whole world.
For many, the situation is creating significant concerns and uncertainty - and sometimes logistical difficulties. Our function is not just as a gathering place, but as a family and community.
As such, we continue to be here for all of you in whatever ways you need. We will be here for Shabbat, your other Jewish needs, and we are preparing for Passover. We're available for practical assistance, advice, or just someone to talk to or if you are not feeling well and need chicken soup or a doctor reference. If you are staying in your home out of caution and need assistance with providing for your needs, such as food shopping, please contact us and we will help make arrangements with volunteers to assist you. For anything else, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at any time.
Chabad Office: [email protected] 407.354.3660 ex 0
Rabbi Yosef Konikov: [email protected] 407.970.1151
Chani Konikov: CGIOrlando@aol.com 321.948.6921
Rabbi Nissan Zibell: [email protected] 646.717.3279
Shaina Zibell: [email protected] 562.673.1908
Rabbi Meir Lessoff [email protected] 407.668.7875
Adina Lessoff 863.845.3947
It is imperative to remember:
As we take extra precautions to avoid contagion, it's important to strengthen those areas of our 'spiritual' health that have a direct effect on our physical health. We encourage you all to keep finding safe ways to exercise your soul. As classes move on-line, we will be ramping up efforts to offer Jewish learning opportunities and conversations through Zoom and other online mediums.
We encourage you to look out for these resources and utilize them. B'ezrat Hashem - with G‑d's help - we will all get through this and take lessons to heart to improve as individuals, as a community, and as a society.
The following are a number of suggestions of things that can be done to strengthen one’s 'spiritual' immunity:
- Be sure that the Mezuzahs of your household are Kosher.
- Be sure your Tefillin are Kosher.
- Woman and girls, be sure to light Shabbat candles on Friday at sunset before Shabbat begins.
- Give extra charity on a daily basis. Have a dedicated Tzedakah box in your home. Women have a custom to give charity before candle lighting on Friday.
- Recite chapters of Psalms daily: Suggested chapters 20, 22, 69, 150.
- Acquire a letter in a Torah scroll, as this is also a source of protection. https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/747083/jewish/A-Letter-in-a-Torah-Scroll.htm
- Ensure that you and your fellows have some Shmurah Matzah in anticipation of the holiday of Passover. In the Kabbalah, Matzah is referred to as both "the food of faith" and "the food of healing."
- Most importantly, strengthen yourself and others in the faith that: "Think good, it will be good."
- If you are staying home, this may be a great opportunity to try to keep Shabbat completely.
If you or anyone you know needs help with the above Mitzvot, please let us know and we are here to assist.
We will be monitoring the situation and will continue to update you on any changes to our programs, services or cancellations. If we can ever be of any assistance to you or if you know of a person in the community who we can help, please contact us. We must continue to look out for each other!
Wishing everyone health, safety and happiness at this time. May we see the end of the coronavirus TODAY!
Sincerely,
Rabbi Yosef & Chani Konikov
Rabbi Nissan & Shaina Zibell
Rabbi Meir & Adina Lessoff
We are following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), among others, and are taking their precautions. We are asking all students, community members and visitors to the Center to do the same. We ask you to please take public health guidelines seriously and visit the following sites regularly for updates.
CDC Center for Disease Control
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Orange County Florida Updates
http://orange.floridahealth.gov/
Coronavirus Important Information (COVID-19). The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Cover your mouth or nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw used tissues in the trash.
- Wear gloves when handling and serving food
- Clean and disinfect countertops and tables before preparing and serving food.
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Boost your health and your immune system - eat properly and get enough sleep. Don't hesitate to contact your healthcare provider if there is anything that concerns you.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19? Patients with COVID-19 have mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
If you are sick, to keep from spreading respiratory illness to others, you should:
- Contact your health care provider for guidance.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Large gatherings:
The Health Department’s guidance includes information about those who should NOT attend large gatherings in the community. That includes those who:
- are a contact to a known or suspected case of COVID-19
- are over the age of 65 with underlying health conditions
- are immune compromised
- are ill
- have been exposed to someone with a respiratory illness in the last 14 days
- have chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or lung disease
- have traveled internationally within the last 14 days, especially to destinations under a level 3 travel advisory
- have traveled to or from a geographic area with widespread community transmission of COVID-19
Student/staff travel:
The Florida Department of Health is advising all individuals who travel internationally to follow new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, which are:
- Level 3: CDC recommends 14-day self-isolation and social distancing upon return to the United States. Social distancing includes avoiding going out in public and close personal interactions. If you become symptomatic, immediately self-isolate and contact your County Health Department (CHD) or health care provider.
- Level 2 and Cruises: Travelers should monitor their health and limit interactions with others for 14 days after returning to the United States. If you become symptomatic, immediately self-isolate and contact your CHD or health care provider.
South Orlando Jewish Community!
Chabad is your 2nd home and the heart of Jewish life!
If there is ANYTHING you ever need or that we can help you with, don't hesitate to contact us ANYTIME. A letter of recommendation or networking for a job? Feeling lonely or depressed?
Let us know.