Current state of affairs

Steven Chizzik, President

We are now in the middle of the omicron wave of the COVID pandemic. In the last few days, in-person events have been canceled throughout Naples, and JFGN has canceled all in-person events for January and February.

As president, and as chairperson of Beth Tikvah’s task force, we take our responsibility to keep our congregants in a safe environment very seriously. We are, as of this writing, keeping Beth Tikvah open to in-person events, including our Shabbat services. We are doing this by requiring all attendees be fully vaccinated (including boosters), and everyone must wear an N95 or KN95 mask. Unfortunately, we did halt our modified kiddushim as that would require people to remove their masks to eat. We strive to have our congregants feel like Beth Tikvah is the safest place they can go in Southwest Florida!

We are all living in difficult times. It is my wish that each of you stays healthy and that 2022 finally sees the return of what we previously considered normalcy.

The brilliant poet Amanda Gorman wrote in her just-released New Year’s poem…. Come, look up with kindness yet, For even solace can be sourced from sorrow. We remember, not just for the sake of yesterday, But to take on tomorrow. February will see an amazing number of events taking place at Beth Tikvah — available for everyone in the community. I personally invite you to come and join us.

Our own Rabbi Chorny will begin a new program, “Jews in History,” on Wednesday Feb. 23 at 12:15 p.m.

Our lecture series continues with June Sochen and Joyce Schager speaking on current events on Feb. 3. Neil Adelman will speak on “Further Consideration of the Rosenbergs” on Feb. 10. We conclude the month with guest speaker, Joel Poznansky, on Feb. 27, who will share memories of his time as a captain in Her Majesty’s Personal Guard. All lectures will be on Zoom as well as in person as long as it is safe to gather. Lectures begin at 7:30 p.m. The Zoom link can be found on our website, www.bethtikvahnaples.org.

A Scholar in Residence weekend with Rabbi Skorka is planned for Feb. 18-19; however, due to the virus, travel plans are subject to change. Please check our website for any updates as we get closer to Rabbi Skorka’s visit.

The community is welcome to join Beth Tikvah on Saturday, Feb. 27 at 9:30 a.m. as we celebrate Federation Shabbat. We will be meeting in person as well as streaming on Zoom.

Beth Tikvah is the Greater Naples affiliated congregation of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ). We are grateful to Jewish Federation of Greater Naples (JFGN) for support of our Scholar in Residence, Naples Jewish Film Festival and All Things Jewish programs.

Beth Tikvah happenings on Zoom

Wednesday, Feb. 2 and 9, 12:15 p.m. – Jewish Values, Rabbi Chorny

Thursday, Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m. – June Sochen and Joyce Schrager, speakers

Sunday, Feb. 6 at 11 a.m. – Rosh Chodesh Women’s Study

Thursday, Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. – Neil Adelman, “Further Consideration of the Rosenbergs”

Friday and Saturday, Feb. 18-19 – Scholar in Residence, Rabbi Skorka

Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 12:15 p.m. – Jews in History, Rabbi Chorny

Saturday, Feb. 26 at 9:30 a.m. – Federation Shabbat at Beth Tikvah

Sunday, Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. – Lecture Series, Joel Poznansky, speaker

Religious services

• Sunday morning services begin at 9 a.m. in person and on Zoom

• Friday services begin at 6:15 p.m. in person and on Zoom

• Saturday services begin at 9:30 a.m. in person and on Zoom

• We convene Yahrzeit minyanim upon request.

You may reach Rabbi Chorny directly at 239-537-5257.