Due to the coronavirus, virtually all congregations and organizations in the Tampa Bay area have canceled in-person events for the near future and are monitoring the situation regarding events beyond that.
Many synagogues are livestreaming their services. Most Chabad centers and Reform and Conservative synagogues are also offering – or making plans to offer – virtual classes or study sessions via Zoom or other internet video conference platforms that allow group interaction.
Major organizations such as the Tampa JCCs and Federation and Jewish Federation of Florida’s Gulf Coast, Florida Holocaust Museum and Hillels of the Florida Suncoast are also working to create or expand their virtual offerings to keep the community connected. (see story below)
Things are changing too rapidly to present a comprehensive, updated list of what is available at Bay area congregations. We suggest you visit congregation websites to find out what is offered. Web addresses and other contact information are available in our Religious Directory (see page 4).
Social service agencies are also scaling back, but still serving clients (see story, Page 3).
Here is a roundup of how major Jewish organizations in our area are coping with the new reality the pandemic has created:
Jewish Federation of Florida’s Gulf Coast:
The Federation postponed all events until May 3 and will monitor the situation and plan accordingly.
“We are committed to reinventing ourselves to find unique ways to study and learn, to meet and conduct community business, and to enable us to remain a cohesive and strong Jewish community,” states a message the Federation Interim Executive Director Maxine Kaufman and Federation President Ezra Singer. “Watch for future announcements from the congregation and the wider Jewish community for opportunities to engage in online learning, podcasts and webinars, interactive video conferencing and so much more.”
Employees at the Federation began working varied hours in office and remotely and among other tasks are working to create more virtual ways to keep the community connected. For more information, go to www.jewishgulfcoast.org
Tampa JCCs and Federation:
The Tampa JCCs and Federation shut down both its JCC facilities – the Bryan Glazer Family JCC in West Tampa and the JCC at the Maureen and Douglas Cohn community campus in Citrus Park. Also closed are JCC preschools at the Cohn Campus and at Congregation Rodeph Sholom, as well as afterschool programs at both JCCs.
One event still on the books is 2020 Israel Fest, an Israel Independence Day celebration, set for May 3. Given how fluid the situation regarding the virus, check with the JCCs and Federation’s website, www.jewishtampa.com for the status of the event at the date nears.
The JCC is employing Facetime, Facebook messenger, Skype, Instant Messenger and other video conference tools to continue to offer fitness classes and a variety of other activities for various age groups The virtual classes are free and open to everyone. (See related story, front page).
The JCCs and Federation also said it is “actively reviewing how the closure of our buildings affects program related fees, enrollment expenses and membership dues. We’re continuing to pay all of our staff their salaries and benefits as well as our regular scheduled hourly employees for at least the next two weeks [through March] and they’ll all be working during that period, either in one of our buildings or remotely.” For more information, visit www.tampajewish.com
Florida Holocaust Museum
The Florida Holocaust Museum has closed due to the virus and a re-opening date is uncertain. Currently, the museum was exhibiting “Let Me Be Myself: The Life Story of Anne Frank,” a traveling show developed by the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. An exhibit featuring the works of artist Arthur Szyk was to open on April 4 but has been pushed back indefinitely. (See related story, Page 2).
The museum is offering online interactive services so that education about the Holocaust can continue even while folks are at home. Among the offerings are “Drop-in” activities on the museum’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/TheFHM/) that offer a series of education-oriented posts. Every Tuesday at 1 p.m. there is a filmed survivor or second generation conversation. (Recommended for grades 5 and above) Viewers will be able to ask questions. Every Wednesday at 1 p.m. the museum’s registrar will highlight different artifacts in the museum’s collection. On Thursdays at 1 p.m., just for teachers, an educator will discuss resources and topics teachers can use in your virtual classroom.
The museum’s education team also can schedule a grade-appropriate virtual lesson with teachers, or adults, and students. You can also invite a survivor or a second generation (adult child of Holocaust survivors) into your virtual classroom via Zoom. Zoom provides an online meeting opportunity and interaction with students.
Still other online resources can be used independently or with the education team’s aid. For more details on the offerings, go to www.thefhm.org/learn
Those with questions can go to [email protected]
Menorah Manor
Visitation at the Samson Nursing Center and Toby Weinman Assisted Living Residence, both in St. Petersburg, continues to be prohibited. The only exception is if there is a major change in a resident’s condition and all such visits are being determined on a case by case basis. Family members are encouraged to stay connectted through telephone, email, text, Skype, WhatsApp, or Google Duo
As of March 24, the Weissman Adult Day Center closed.
While there are no group activities, the therapeutic activity staff is live-streaming activities, conducting one-on-one visits and taking advantage of the beautiful weather by having small group activities outside. Shabbat services, led by director of spiritual care, Rabbi Aaron Lever, are also being live streamed.
Menorah Manor is working with local hospitals to continue to accept new residents at both of its facilities under strict screening criteria.
Weinberg Village
Beginning March 16, Weinberg Village, located on the Cohn Jewish Community Campus in Tampa, has prohibited all visitors including the family and friends of current residents. Those allowed in to the building are limited to essential medical providers and staff. However, Weinberg Village is still accepting new residents, noting there is still a need for assisted living placement. The management team is offering telephone or virtual tours, conducted via Skype or WhatsApp. All new residents will need to complete testing requirements to confirm they are free of the COVID-19 virus. Anyone seeking placement, should contact Michelle Gallagher, Marketing Director, (813) 969-1818 or email [email protected].
Hillels of the Florida Suncoast
Local Hillel students have moved back home and are finishing the academic semester remotely. All Hillel program professionals have transitioned to conducting education programs as well as Shabbat for students at USF, University of Tampa and Eckerd College via Zoom. Hillel’s program staff is maintaining close communication with their students on a one-to-one basis through phone calls, texting, social media and other online platforms. Hillel will also be reaching out to students who may not have a Seder to attend to determine students’ interest in participating in virtual Seders for Passover.
Hillel International has also launched a new approach to serving students worldwide, Hillel@Home (welcome.hillel.org/ hillelathome). provides students with an online platform It through which they can find community, experience virtual learning opportunities, join workshops based on Jewish content, and hear from leaders and celebrities. Rabbi Ed Rosenthal, Suncoast Hillels executive director, was the first Hillel@ Home presenter with an online program entitled “Tikkun HaYam: The Spirituality of the Sea” which was attended by students and Hillel professionals from California to France and Scotland.
