As of the time I am writing this email, there have not been any confirmed cases of Coronavirus in South Carolina.  However, around the world, norms of interactions between people are quickly changing in order to take proper precautions to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.  In Italy, kissing and hugging have been curtailed.  In China, extended distance between people is customary.  In South Korea, people are avoiding kissing and hugging their pets.  In America, the CDC recommends elbow bumps instead of handshakes.

The new normal in Synagogues and Jewish Day Schools around the world is also rapidly becoming altered by precautions against spreading the Coronavirus.  No less of an authority than the Chief Rabbi of Israel has proclaimed it is a Mitzvah to NOT kiss a mezuzah after touching it with one’s hand.  Ideally one should avoid touching a Mezuzah with one’s hand altogether.  Other authorities have extended this guidance to include avoiding kissing prayer books, Chumashim, and Torah Scrolls.  Fist bumps, elbow bumps, and air hugs are becoming common methods of greeting in shul as well.  To state the obvious, if someone is not feeling well, it is a Mitzvah to avoid the risk of infecting others at gatherings such as those that typically take place on holidays and Shabbat at home and in Synagogue.

The first Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rav Kook, OB”M, wrote at the beginning of his classic work “The Lights of Repentance” that the most basic level of repentance that people can engage in is simply by guarding one’s health and utilizing proper medical care in order to preserve or restore one’s health as a prerequisite for all other divine service.  

At AHA teachers are instructing students best practices in combating germs spreading by simply making changes in the classroom setting such as having tissues available in every room and cleaning wipes on hand for wiping down surfaces and keyboards.  Even our youngest students are being taught fun lessons demonstrating the proper method of washing one’s hands with soap. In Kindergarten students used a mixture of science and art by using glitter on one’s hands to demonstrate the importance of thoroughly cleaning hands in a fun, not scary, yet effective teaching method.  In lower elementary, students practiced singing The ABC song while washing their hands with soap.  Taller students were instructed to avoid kissing Mezuzahs with their hands.  At school, we have started to institute some new procedures for our staff and students.  I would like to share with you a few of those below:

  • Students and adults are asked not to touch or kiss Mezuzahs
  • Surfaces are constantly being cleaned and disinfected by custodial staff
  • Keyboards are being wiped down at the end of the day
  • All classrooms have tissues that staff and students are instructed and encouraged to use when coughing or sneezing
  • All teachers have sanitary wipes to wipe down high contact surfaces such as work tables and door handles
  • Students are instructed not to shake hands or give high fives and give elbow bumps instead
  • Highly accurate electronic thermometers have been ordered and will be utilized to check any children or adults who display symptoms of illness

Please note that current school policy, based on DSS guidelines, states that any student or adult who runs a fever of 100.0 or higher may not enter school and will be sent home from school and may not return until they are fever-free for 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medications.

As the Jewish holiday season approaches, we encourage families to take prudent steps to ensure proper hygiene.  The Torah itself writes “Tishmor Meod Es Nafshosaychem – Guard your health very carefully.”  As with many things, it helps to use common sense.  Simple rituals like delivering Shalach Manot, sharing Kiddush wine, handing people pieces of Challah, and distribution of Matzah at a Passover Seder can be done in ways that can avoid the spreading of germs. 

On a related note, it is important that we try to lower levels of anxiety for ourselves and our children as much as possible since increased stress levels can also compromise one’s immune system and make one more susceptible to illness.  At times like these when we ride an emotional rollercoaster and are bombarded with fear-inducing headlines, it is healthy to take a media diet or fast for periods of time such as many people do over Shabbat.  Ultimately life is a continual lesson that we are not fully in control of the world and it is important to remember the wise words of King Solomon, “Gam Zeh Yaavor – This too shall pass”.  At AHA we will continue to monitor and adjust our behavior as best practices continue to emerge to help ensure the health and safety of our community.  We will wait until more data is available before making decisions on issues such as altering or canceling trips, events, and/or school days in the future.  

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Elisha Paul