We hope this message finds everyone healthy and safe as we all try and get through this pandemic together.

Last fall we began the process of holding only Bar and Bat Mitzvahs in our building. Our Board of Directors with input from our Rabbis, deemed these events were extremely important especially to the B’nai Mitzvot for a number of reasons. It was agreed that we could control the number of people attending (45 guests maximum), provide appropriate Social Distancing in our Sanctuary and Auditorium, ensure that safe protocols were in place including the taking of temperatures of everyone entering the building and mandating the wearing of masks at all time by the guests and staff (with certain controlled exceptions), and a kiddush offered with individual plates being prepared by our masked and gloved Catering staff from behind plexiglass barriers.

This all came to a halt when Winnipeg went into a Code Red status and all gatherings of any type were not allowed.

As you are probably aware, the Province of Manitoba recently relaxed some of the restrictions that were put in place to stem the spread of the Covid-19 Virus. With the easing of these regulations and with an abundance of caution, our Board of Directors met and agreed to allow for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs once again in our building with all the previously mandated protocols continued.

We have been somewhat fortunate in that there were not a lot of Bar and Bat Mitzvahs booked during the Code Red time frame, that needed to be postponed and/or rescheduled. It is our hope that we will soon be able to consider re-opening our synagogue for other Life Cycle Events, Services and Programs.

In the meantime, we are pleased to be able to provide, albeit on a limited basis, an opportunity for families to celebrate these most important life cycle events in person. Also, by providing a Live Stream of these services we are able to virtually include all who would normally attend in person.

We will continue to provide updates as they occur, of any changes that may be forthcoming regarding attendance at our synagogue. 

Stay safe and keep well! 

Ian Staniloff
Executive Director
ian@szwinnipeg.ca
204-975-3482