IMPORTANT COVID-19 UPDATE - SHUL CLOSURE

Hello fellow congregants,

May this note find you well.

We are writing to update you about new protocols at Beth Tikvah in light of the COVID-19 crisis. The safety of our congregation is our number one priority and we feel we must do what we can to protect our congregants.

Members of the Executive met today along with Rabbi Rubin and we have decided to take the following measures. Many other synagogues in the Lower Mainland and across North America are adopting similar measures.

• The synagogue will no longer be receiving people in person. If you need to reach out, please call or email. Both Rabbi Rubin and our administrative manager, Kate Rabinovich, will be monitoring email and phone messages.
• Until further notice, there will be no Shabbat services, classes, or morning minyan.
• Until further notice, all shul programs are cancelled.

We will assess the situation going forward and update accordingly, using guidance from the federal and provincial health authorities.

The preservation of life is the holiest and most important value in Judaism. It is for this reason, according to Rabbi Rubin, that a number of Jewish religious authorities throughout North America, other countries and Israel, have ruled that Jews are obligated to stay home and that gathering for tefillot is not just “reyshut” (at the discretion of the shul-goer) but “asur” (forbidden).

During this challenging time, we wish all the members of our congregation strength and good health. If you require assistance, please call Rabbi Rubin or Kate at

604-271-6262 or email at kate@btikvah.ca

L’Shalom,

The Executive Committee