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With Passover in the rearview mirror, and as we count up the days to Shavuot and the commemoration of receiving the Torah it is a time to reconnect with our holy texts as a community, as a family and as individuals. This year we are encouraging couples, parents and children, chevrusas or individuals to commit to learning a little extra in preparation for Shavuot.  

Here are three suggestions: 

1. The Book of Ruth with Dr. Yael Zeigler’s commentary available here: https://www.etzion.org.il/en/topics/megillat-rut
2. Ethics of our Fathers (for anyone who needs a text we can provide you with one.)
3. זריעה ובנין בחינוך or in English Planting and Building in Education by Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe. Rabbi Neuman will be offering a weekly class on this small but very meaningful sefer (timing TBD). For those looking to purchase the text see here - https://www.feldheim.com/planting-and-building-in-education.html

Sign up below:

Dear Members and Friends,
 
The following is a medical statement from a senior expert in Infectious Diseases at Nationwide Children’s Hospital:
 
“Measles is the most contagious of all infections. Infected individuals shed virus into the air from their respiratory tract.  The virus can move through the air up to 50 feet from the infected individual and can remain in the air for up to 2 hours after the infected individual has left the area.  An infected individual can start to shed measles virus up to 5 days before they develop typical measles symptoms, such as the typical measles rash.  Once the rash is noted, the infected person can continue to be contagious for 5 to 7 days.  An exposed individual needs to be isolated (quarantined) from the fifth day after exposure until 21 days after exposure to ensure that they do not infect anyone else. Children younger than 5 years and adults older than 20 years are more likely to suffer from measles complications, such as very high fever and pneumonia.  Approximately one out of 4 people who get measles will be hospitalized.  One of every 1000 will develop encephalitis (swelling of the brain) that can lead to convulsions and can leave the child deaf or with intellectual disability.  Of every 1000 children who get measles one or two will die.
 
There are currently outbreaks of measles in Rockland County, New York; New York City; New Jersey, and other locations in the United States. There is a Level 1 CDC travel notice for those travelling to Israel.
 
Immunity to measles requires two doses of the measles vaccine usually given as MMR vaccine.  The CDC recommends children get two doses of MMR vaccine using the following schedule: The first dose between 12 and 15 months of age and the second between 4 and 6 years of age.  However, if a child is travelling internationally and they have not received their second measles vaccine, it would be prudent to get their second vaccine before travelling as long as it is 4 weeks after their first dose.  Adults should also have two doses of MMR.”
 
Additional outbreaks have now been confirmed in Chicago, Detroit and Baltimore.

Jewish Law instructs that we make use of available means to prevent serious diseases. In light of the above:

• We urge you to confirm whether you and your children are up to date on the MMR vaccine, either by consulting your immunization records or by getting a blood test.
• If you find out you are not up to date or if it is impractical for you to confirm whether you are, we urge you to get another vaccine, which poses no health risk, as per the recommendation of the CDC.
• Individuals who do not follow the medical and rabbinic call to immunize themselves or their children must avoid public places and group settings of all kinds, as their presence poses a serious risk to the community at large, and especially to our young children and immuno-suppressed members.                                                                                                                                                         

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation regarding this critical matter.    

Rabbi David Claman 
Ahavas Sholom

Rabbi Avi Goldstein 
Beth Jacob

Rabbi Henoch Morris
Columbus Community Kollel

Rabbi Howard Zack
Torat Emet 

Click Here For Updated Information From the Youth Department