Dear Congregants and Community Members,

Over the past number of weeks, we have successfully welcomed B’nai Mitzvah families, their guests, and congregants to the shul for Shabbat morning services, and we are now prepared to implement phase two of our reopening.

This next phase of reopening will see the return of in-person Daily Minyan Services, Life Cycle Events, Social-Cultural Programs, Adult Education, Private Functions, and more. These opportunities are open to those who are double-vaccinated, with the exception of children under the age of 12 (see the bottom of this message for details).

Kabbalat Shabbat Service – each week beginning with Friday, October 22. Check-in begins at 5:15 PM and ends at 5:45 PM – The service begins at 5:30 PM. This weekend’s service will include an enhanced musical service with Rabbi Anibal Mass, Leslie Emery, Cantorial Soloist, and guest performer, Jay Stoller on the Djembe drum. Registration is NOT required to attend. Click here for more information.

Daily Minyan – In-person services in the Chapel twice daily will start on Monday, October 25 with our clergy team. Check-in will begin 15-minutes before the service and will end 15-minutes after the service has started. Registration is NOT required to attend. Click here for service times. Note: There will be no Kiddush following morning Minyan services.

Brit Milah and Baby Namings – We can now schedule these events including catering in the shul with up to 150 attendees. Please contact Estelle Raber, Life Cycle Director, at estelle@szwinnipeg.ca or 204-975-3484 to arrange.

Weddings – We can now schedule these events including catering in the shul with up to 150 attendees. Please contact Estelle Raber at estelle@szwinnipeg.ca or 204-975-3484 to arrange.

Funerals, Meals of Consolation, Unveiling Receptions - We are now able to offer memorial services in the shul, as well as catered functions for up to 150 people. Please contact Estelle Raber, Life Cycle Director, to arrange at 204-975-3484 or estelle@szwinnipeg.ca.

Social-Cultural Programs and Adult Education Courses – Over time we are hoping to offer these opportunities to participate either online or in-person. Stay tuned! Dr Rena Secter Elbaze, Engagement and Education Director at 204-975-3489 or rena@szwinnipeg.ca. Tali Millo, Program Director, at 204-287-5132 or tali@szwinnipeg.ca.

Luncheons, Dinners, Parties – In addition to our fantastic take-out catering offered, we are now available to book events in-shul for attendees up to 150 people. Please contact Estelle Raber, Life Cycle Director, to arrange at 204-975-3484 or estelle@szwinnipeg.ca. For take outs or to explore our menu, contact Joel Lafond, Executive Chef, at 204-975-3485 or joel@szwinnipeg.ca.

Facility Rentals – Our space is available for rental and catering for gatherings up to 150 people including Conferences, Small and Medium Size Meetings, Community Events, Visiting Guest Speakers, Family Gatherings and Reunions, Luncheons, Dinners, Filming Location, Parking Lot Rental. Please contact Estelle Raber, Life Cycle Director, to arrange at 204-975-3484 or estelle@szwinnipeg.ca.

And as a reminder, as part of the phase one reopening, Congregational Shabbat Morning Services in-person in the Sanctuary have begun:

• October 23, 30, November 6, 20, December 4 Shabbat Mornings there are B’nai Mitzvahs scheduled, and we are unable to accept additional walk-ins. If you would like an Aliyah to honour the yahrzeit of a loved one, please contact the shul office.
• November 13, 27 and December 11, 18, 25 Shabbat Mornings we can accept up to 150 attendees to the service – no registration is required.

Note: There will be no public Kiddush following the Shabbat morning services.

The Gift Shop will continue to be open by appointment only until further notice. Please contact sisterhood@szwinnipeg.ca or leave a message at 204-975-3487 to set up an appointment to shop at the Sisterhood Judaica Gift Shop.

VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS 

As part of the phased reopening, our policy will require that:

• Adults and teens be double-vaccinated to enter the building. Children under age 12 are not required to be vaccinated to attend.
• You must wear a mask even when you are seated in the building. The exception is if you are seated and eating or drinking at a catered event or a meeting.
• Physical distancing is encouraged.

Please also note that:

• If you cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons and have a letter from your healthcare provider, you may send the document to the shul office by email to hello@szwinnipeg.ca, fax to 204-474-1184, or by mail to 561 Wellington Crescent, Winnipeg, MB, R3M 0A6. After a review by our Executive Director, we will let you know how to register to attend the synagogue if permission is granted.
• If you are not feeling well for any reason, we ask that you please stay home and contact Health Links at 204-788-8200 to determine the need for a COVID-19 test, and to also help reduce the spread of the cold, flu, and other viruses to others.

If you need to send a tribute, make a donation, or have synagogue business, or just want to stop by to say ‘hi’, the office is open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday to Friday (Closing at 3:00 PM Fridays for Shabbat). Reach out to us – we’re here to help! 204-452-3711 or hello@szwinnipeg.ca.

Thank you for your patience as we continue to reopen. There may be some hiccups along the way, and our plans are subject to change due to new health orders and operational changes. We are – extremely – excited to welcome people back to the shul to participate in synagogue life and can’t wait to see you here! To access our team's listing of phone numbers and email addresses, click here for our clergy, and click here for our staff. Reach out to us – we’re here to help!

All the best,

Ran Ukashi
Executive Director
Congregation Shaarey Zedek