Meet Abby Reiken, Our New Director of Congregational Learning
At their March meeting, the Board of Trustees overwhelmingly approved the appointment of Abby Reiken as our new Director of Congregational Learning for a two-year term beginning on July 1, 2021. Abby is an experience and innovative Jewish educator, and we are thrilled she is joining our team. You may read more about Abby here.
Upcoming Worship Schedule
Shabbat Evening Service
Fri, Apr 23 at 8:00 pm
Pre-Service Discussion at 7:45 pm
We'd love to have you with us as our team brings you another Sabbath evening of warmth, hope, humor and love. Cantor Ellen Dreskin will join us while Cantor Lance is away. On Facebook, and join us for our Zoom Oneg afterwards.
Shabbat Evening Service
Fri, Apr 30 at 8:00 pm
Zachary Rechtschaffen Becomes a Bar Mitzvah
Sat, May 1 at 10:30 am
Join us as Zachary Rechtschaffen, son of Thomas Rechtschaffen and Amanda North, becomes a Bar Mitzvah. We'd be delighted to have you join us on Facebook.
Upcoming Events (virtual) at WCT
Upcoming Meetings
- Board of Trustees ... Mon, Apr 19 at 8:15 pm
- Kesher 2021-22 Information Meeting ... Sun, Apr 25 at 7:30 pm
- Coronavirus Task Force ... Thu, Apr 29 at 7:30 pm
Celebrate Rabbi Billy's Retirement!
As far back as his rabbinical school days, Billy Dreskin had a dream: to serve one congregation for an entire generation. To stand under the chuppah with young people whose naming ceremonies he had officiated. To be with the same community through the cycle of life, from birth through death and all the joys and sorrows along the way.
Rabbi Billy achieved that, and we are all richer for it. Now we have the opportunity to celebrate a momentous event in his life — retirement.
There are many ways to celebrate Billy in the coming months. Covid may prevent us from all gathering together, so we’ve created multiple opportunities for congregants to wish Billy well as safely as possible. Take a look at the options here and make sure to mark your calendars for all of the dates and times!
COVID-19 information
WCT Update (April 19, 2021)
We have started to resume small outdoor gatherings, including B’nai Mitzvah services on the lawn, as we closely watch the number of COVID cases per 100,000 residents of Westchester County. Thank you to everyone who filled out the online survey last week. It will help us in our decision making going forward.
We continue to balance the need to be together with the need to keep each other safe. Westchester County is now very close to 30 cases per 100,000 residents, which will allow us to gather in larger numbers outdoors. Group sizes will increase as the infection rate drops. We also continue to watch infection rates in the many school districts represented in our religious school.
Masks will continue to be mandatory for all gatherings for the foreseeable future. When we meet indoors, we will keep doors and windows open to improve ventilation. The heating and air conditioning system in the sanctuary has been fitted with a MERV-13 filter to improve ventilation.
The Coronavirus Task Force is discussing whether to require proof of vaccination or a negative test in some contexts.
As we work on getting vaccinated, here are a few other things you can do:
- Ask for help or offer to help by sending an e-mail to caring@wct.org. Need groceries delivered to you or want to shop for someone? Have an activity idea? Please reach out!
- Pick up the phone. Call someone you haven't talked to in a while. We can all use a friendly voice as we wait out January.
- Our clergy want to connect with you and offer whatever pastoral care you need. You can reach them at (914) 592-7070 or by email: Rabbi Billy (rabbi@wct.org), Rabbi Mara (rabbimara@wct.org), and Cantor Lance (cantor@wct.org).
As we return to indoor programming, we'll remain mindful that there are those who can't join in-person events, and we will find ways to be inclusive in the hybrid world.
We look forward to being together again in body, not just in spirit.
In the meantime, if you need to come to Woodlands in person for any reason, please complete the COVID-19 Screening Questionnaire on the day you will be coming. You must be able to answer "No" to all questions in order to come. Thank you for helping to keep our community safe, strong, and healthy.
The Judaica Shop at Woodlands
The Judaica Shop at Woodlands is Online ...
The Judaica Shop at Woodlands is not physically open for business but we are available for online purchasing. If you are shopping for a celebration gift or something to bring beauty and spirituality to your home, please contact us first. We'll work out purchase and delivery details. For some ideas, check out our online catalogues on the Judaica Shop page (click here). Remember every purchase supports Woodlands Temple. Email judaicashop@wct.org
Wed, April 21 2021
9 Iyar 5781
