Introducing Congregation Neveh Shalom COVID-19 Outreach and Services (CNSCOS)
CNSCOS is a new team appointed by Congregation Neveh Shalom, with funding from the Oregon Health Authority, tasked with helping limit the spread of COVID-19 by providing services and timely information to the Jewish communities of Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties.
Our outreach and support services aim to connect individuals and families to the information and resources they need to stay safe, healthy, and well-informed. Our priority is to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Toward this goal, we are collaborating with Jewish organizations and volunteers in the region to support public health efforts to curb the pandemic.
Our social services and wraparound services team will work with those affected by covid-19 to provide services and connections with existing benefit programs. For those with a positive covid-19 test or confirmed exposure, we can directly provide resources and support for isolation/quarantine, including assistance with:
- Housing such as hotels or motels to stay during that period
- Food / Meals
- Health care and self-monitoring supplies that are not covered by insurance
- Transportation related to individuals in isolation or quarantine (ambulance, taxi, etc.)
- Communications such as cell phones
- Cleaning services
- Grocery shopping
- Childcare
To reach our Wraparound and Social Services Team for services, send an email to covid19@nevehshalom.org.
Sign up for the CNSCOS Newsletter
We want to bring relevant COVID-19 news and resources to you. This weekly newsletter will provide Oregon-specific updates, tips for navigating everyday life in a pandemic, and links to news stories across a diverse range of publications that we think are informative and helpful.
Covid-19 Resources
Oregon Health Authority
Oregon Health Authority provides daily updates on COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths, as well as information on how to stay safe. Visit their COVID-19 website or sign up for their email updates.
Safe and Strong Oregon
Safe and Strong Oregon is a thorough resource guide for the COVID-19 pandemic, available in multiple languages. They share information on how to live and work safely, and how to access resources. Visit their website here.
COVID-19 Emergency Relief Resources for PDX (and beyond)
Congressman Earl Blumenauer and his team compiled a regularly updated resource guide. Some resources are specific to the Portland area but many offer Oregon-wide or nation-wide services. See the guide here.
Symptoms
Watch out for symptoms of COVID-19. These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure, and some people may spread the virus without feeling symptoms at all.
- cough
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- or at least 2 of the following
- fever
- chills
- repeated shaking with chills
- muscle pain
- headache
- sore throat
- loss of ability to smell
Testing
If you are interested in getting a COVID-19 test or feel ill, call your health care provider or 211 if you do not have one. If it is an emergency, call 911.
Oregon Health Authority has information on where you can get tested, what to do if you test positive for COVID-19, and how much testing can cost. Visit the OHA testing website to learn more. For further guidance on when to get tested and how to interpret test results, view OHA’s testing guidance.
As we spend more time at home, some people will face additional struggles with issues that might normally be under control or well-managed. Please know that your clergy team is available to speak with you. Simultaneously, our training in many areas of need only goes so far. We want to ensure that you have some resources to help you navigate this trying time.
211
Dialing 211 has been a good switchboard for a wide range of social services. At this time, they are experiencing heavy call volume, and it is more difficult to reach a live person. To streamline that, here is there website with their database of resources. The first link is their home page, the second lists areas of resources
http://www.navigateresources.net/info/
AA/Substance Abuse
Alcoholics Anonymous’s website is: https://www.aa.org
An online option for AA groups is: http://aa-intergroup.org
For early morning AA folks, you can find 6am virtual meetings at: portlandeyeopener.com
Oregon SUD Resources Collaborative: www.orsudresources.org
Domestic Violence
If you or someone you know needs help or just want to talk with someone, all of these sites below are available. Each offer chat and text options as well, which can be crucial if the abusive person is in the home and the survivor might be overheard, especially right now.
Call to Safety (formerly known as The Portland Woman’s Hotline)
calltosafety.org, Local: 503.235.5333, Everywhere else: 1.888.235.5333
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
www.thehotline.org, 1−800−799−7233
The Child Abuse Hotline
www.childhelphotline.com, 1-800-422-4453
The Sexual Assault Hotline
www.rainn.org, 1-800-656-4673
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
SPRC has compiled a selection of web pages and information sheets on mental health and coping with the effects of COVID-19.
This link takes you there.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
NAMI created COVID-19 Resources and Information Guides. They provide insights on how to handle the emotional and mental tolls of living in a pandemic. You can view their guides by visiting NAMI’s website.
Other Resources?
If you are aware of online resources for substance abuse and feel comfortable, please forward those to covid19@nevehshalom.org and we will make sure those get posted. We want to provide a wide range of resources to help our congregational family be our best selves during this period.
Interest-Free Loans Available via Jewish Free Loan Program of the Jewish Federation
In recognition of the sudden change of circumstances faced by many individuals and families in our community due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jewish Free Loan Program of the Jewish Federation has expanded its offerings. Individuals who have been impacted by the COVID-19 virus and require a loan, may be eligible for an up to $1,000 no interest loan with no additional co-signers. The number of these types of loans is limited. Loan repayments will begin after 120 days and will be divided into equal payments of $28/month for 36 months. For more information, call 503-892-7417 or click here.
Comcast to provide free internet
Xfinity wifi will be free for everyone: Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free, including non-Xfinity internet subscribers. For a map of Xfinity wifi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi. Once at a hotspot, consumers should select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots, and then launch a browser.
Youthline
Youthline is a teen-to-teen crisis, support, and help line open daily from 4 to 10 p.m. PST via call, text, and chat. Adults answer phone calls at all other times, so teens have support 24/7. Call 877-968-8491. Text teen2teen to 839863. Chat at oregonyouthline.org.
Youth ERA
Youth ERA offers several ways for youth and young adults to meet online, get support, and talk through life. Visit their website here.
Senior Loneliness Line
With senior living communities and the public trying to limit exposure to COVID-19, many seniors may be feeling more isolated than usual. Call the statewide line at 503-200-1633 or visit seniorlonelinessline.org.
Jewish Family and Child Services – Friendly Callers
Volunteers are available to connect with clients and community members to share a friendly voice in a time of social distancing and to provide support. If you are interesting in receiving calls from a JFCS Friendly Caller Volunteer, sign up through this link or call 971-716-9587 for more information
Updates
As appropriate, we will be updating our policy as new information comes to us. Facebook and email will be the best method for quick information. We will do our best to update this website as well. If you are not on our weekly email list, and would like to be, click here.
Administration
Most staff will be working remotely. There will be very limited staff on site. We will do our best to answer phone calls during this time, though we ask that you please be patient and forgiving with delays. The best way to reach staff is by email. Please click here for the full staff directory.
For more information
CNS Covid-19 Outreach and Services
covid19@nevehshalom.org
Fred Rothstein, Executive Director
frothstein@nevehshalom.org, 503.246.8831
Glen Coblens, President
president@nevehshalom.org
Rabbi David Kosak
dkosak@nevehshalom.org
Rabbi Eve Posen
eposen@nevehshalom.org
Michelle Caplan, Membership and Engagement Director
mcaplan@nevehshalom.org, 503.293.7313
Synagogue Resources
Shabbat Services
Friday evening and Shabbat morning services will be offered via live-stream. No congregants will be in our building. We have a dedicated web-page with all of the information need to join us for services from home. Click here for that page.
Morning Minyan
Will be a virtual / online experience. We are hearing reports that it is a deeply meaningful experience for many people. Click here to learn how to join.
Life Emergencies
Please call or email clergy or Fred Rothstein, Executive Director: frothstein@nevehshalom.org; 503.475.2934.
Regarding Funeral Attendance
We are seeing a rapid restriction on gatherings both on the state and federal level. While we can’t guarantee how those restrictions will evolve, it is safe to assume that all upcoming funerals will be limited to a 10 person maximum, including clergy participation. It is possible that at some point, even that size gathering may be deemed a public health risk.
We understand the hardship and heartache this causes, and are distressed by the impact this may cause to mourners. To minimize this disruption and provide the greatest communal support possible, a family member with a smart phone or tablet is invited to stream the funeral service so others can participate remotely. If necessary, CNS can provide one of our Zoom accounts for families to use during the funeral service.
You have our deepest sympathies on your loss, and our appreciation for the challenge that social distancing adds to your mourning process.
Rabbi David Kosak
Rabbi Eve Posen
Cantor Eyal Bitton
Birth
Long time congregants may be able to recall a brit milah over which Rabbi Isaak presided during Yom Kippur! The Bible clearly mandates that every boy be circumcized on the 8th day, assuming no conditions, such as jaundice, pose a concern. Even Yom Kippur doesn’t take precedence. Given that, I have been in contact with the two active mohelim (ritual circumcizers) in town, Dr. Bruce Birke and Rabbi Tzvi Fischer. Each of them are stilll performing a bris, but in each case, Rabbis and non-family members are invited to participate by Zoom or other web-based platform. Please check our COVID-19 page for updates.
The naming of a Jewish baby girl historically happened during an aliyah to the Torah. It was a short and sweet moment. In recent decades, the Simchat Bat, or baby naming has increasingly captured the spiritual imagination of Jews as we have desired to enhance the welcome we give to all new babies, regardless of gender. While I consider this celebration as compelling as a bris, it is not Biblically mandated; as a result, no set time-frame has yet been established. What that means is that we can offer a web-based Simchat Bat close to birth. Alternatively, those families who would prefer an in-person celebration can choose to delay until the Coronavirus restrictions are lifted. Because of so many unknowns, we are not able to schedule out such a naming at this point.
Weddings
Our history is well-acquainted with different times and places when people were married quickly and when delay was avoided. Sometimes that was because the non-Jewish authorities would sometimes forbid our weddings and families often wanted to get in under the wire. Regardless of the reason, there are few moments more joyous than a Jewish wedding.
Barring further changes in state or federal law, those with weddings can either reschedule them or choose to have a small group of ten people, including clergy, present at your currently slated time. While the weddings I know of are still scheduled some time out, we at least want to acknowledge that no one knows when our AC (after Coronavirus) life will resemble our BC (before Coronavirus) life, and it’s good to consider options.
We will be updating our calendar with virtual options and cancellations. Please be patient and forgiving if the information on our calendar isn’t 100% accurate. Things are moving quickly and we are doing our best to update information in all the various ways we communicate. Click here for the calendar.
Foundation School
Foundation school is following guidance from the Governor of Oregon, the ELD, the CDC, and is also receiving guidance from our reopening task force and medical experts. We are open for summer camp for four weeks (July 13- Aug 7) in a limited capacity in order to meet and/or exceed all health and safety guidelines. We plan on opening in the fall for reduced hours (8:30-4) daily with a smaller capacity and with all health and safety measures in place. Please contact Director Leah Conley with questions.
ALIYAH/Tichon
Come find out about the robust and creative programs that ALIYAH (K-6th Grades) and Tichon (7th-12th grades) are offering this year! Head over to the education pages of our website for more details, or contact Mel Berwin.
Adult Education
Most of our Adult Education programs, including Beginning Hebrew and Machon Ivrit Modern Hebrew classes are being held as virtual meetings. We will soon be updating our Lifelong Learning page with our offerings. You can also be in touch with Mel Berwin for more information.
If you feel a need for additional emotional / spiritual support and/or counsel, please do let our clergy know.
Rabbi David Kosak: dkosak@nevehshalom.org
Rabbi Eve Posen: eposen@nevehshalom.org
Message from Rabbi Eve Posen:
I have an important reminder: I am here for you, the CNS community is here for you. I am always available to all of you and here ready to listen, lend support, and a virtual hug. Please be in touch with me: eposen@nevehshalom.org is the fastest way for me to respond. Please include your phone number as I don’t have access to our database at home.
The thought of not being able to see all of you and your children throughout this makes me feel very sad. So, we’re going to see each other virtually. How are we going to do that? Through our Tot Shabbats, 4th Fridays, and Flashlight Havdallah. Learn more at our Virtual Services webpage, or contact me to be included on our email list: eposen@nevehshalom.org.
