On Saturday, May 6, we will gather at St. Albans at 1501 Washington Avenue in Albany from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm, to celebrate Shabbat, or you can participate via the Zoom link (posted below).  We'll also celebrate the aufruf of Eli Wirtschafter and Daniela Sirkin, and the Wirtschafter family is sponsoring a kiddush lunch in their honor.  

The Torah reading for May 6 includes the commandment to count the days between Passover and Shavuot.  Eli has found this to be a deeply meaningful practice, and he will share his thoughts on this custom as the d'var Torah during the service.  Daniela will share an Alternative Haftara. 

 There's no need to bring a potluck dish, though we would appreciate an RSVP to dianejosh@sbcglobal.net to help us plan. 

If you are coming in person, please prepare to follow the Covid Health Protocols posted below.

You can participate over Zoom using the following link and login information:

 Zoom link for Or Zarua:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6880391088?pwd=dEQ3cWxqeGFoaE9CZE1QZ0dsN1FRQT09
◦ Meeting ID: 688 039 1088
◦ Passcode: uplift

COVID Health Protocols: 

1  All people who attend Or Zarua services in person are to be vaccinated, including an up to date (2022) booster. 
 
2  Everyone attending Or Zarua services in person must either  wear a mask, OR have a negative rapid test the morning of the service.

3  If you forget to test at home or don’t have a home test available and you want to unmask at the service, tests will be available for you to take at St. Alban’s. 

4  People who have cold or other illness symptoms should participate via Zoom.

5  Seating will be spaced out but flexible. Please feel free to rearrange your chair if you want to sit close to people in your household, or if you want to make sure you are a greater distance from others.

6  We will open windows on both sides of the room for air circulation, so it may be a bit chilly inside. Dress accordingly. 

7  Service leaders will do a rapid home test before the service and, if they wish, lead with masks off. We will set up the chairs so that the service leaders are more than five feet away from the rest of the community. 

8  When we are gathered closely together around the Torah during the Torah service and during the Healing Circle, masks will be required for everyone. The Torah service leader should remind people of this at the time.
 
9 After the service, we will unmask for Kiddush, motzi and lunch (again, prior testing is necessary for unmasking).

10 There will be a pause for people to leave if they would like.