Dear Friend,

The Jewish people have always been bound tightly together, and that has kept us strong through thick and thin. Now, with the precaution of social distancing, we are finding alternative ways to stay connected and keep each other's spirits up.

After careful consideration, along with Rabbinic consultation and the advice of healthcare professionals, Chabad of South Bay has decided to temporarily suspend our communal prayer services. This applies to both the morning minyan as well as Shabbat services. The health of our community members and anyone with whom they may come into contact is paramount. We eagerly anticipate the time when, with Hashem's help, we will once again be able to regularly gather as a community in prayer and Torah study. 

If you know of people who are elderly or infirm, please take extra interest in helping them with their needs, such as shopping for supplies and the like. There are resources out there for for people that need help. Reach out to us if you do!

Below, please find an array of resources and practical guidance, as well as your ‘ quarantine distance learning center’ where you can select from a variety of online courses and classes to advance your Jewish knowledge.

We also assembled select prayers as well as other resources, including a free quarantine Kaddish service, for those that cannot make it to synagogue.

Please visit our ever expanding section on our website at www.ChabadSB.org/coronavirus.

As always - and especially now - we at Chabad are available for you and your family in whatever way you need. Please don't hesitate to reach out! You can Reach Rabbi Hecht at 310.528.4812, Rabbi Pinson at 310.634.4516, Rabbi Gottlieb at 310.626.2221. 

May G-d grant our world healing real soon, and especially the ultimate healing — the coming of Moshiach!

*   *   *   *   *

The world suffers from fear and G-d bears the Pain.

The entire world worries and suffers. It seems that the sky is falling down. Malls, places of entertainment and business are empty. Libraries, schools, and houses of worship are closed. The centers for recreation are slammed shut. Have the ancient plagues re-appeared...?

I ask, what will happen to us? Is Mother Earth doomed? Are we running out of food? Has the economic Rock of Gibraltar, commonly known as the world’s stock market, gone, crashing down with a terrorizing speed telling us to expect a doomsday end?

Last but not least we have all the kids at home, and if we are nice enough, our older parents too.

As an educator and a clergyman I look for answers to tackle the situation as best I can. In doing so, I turn to the world’s best-selling book, the Bible, and seek guidance and guidelines for everyday problems.

However, the world’s current situation has left me with more questions than answers.
I realize with my limited knowledge that we are asking G-d for an explanation to fulfill our needs. I suddenly got the message that we were asking the G-d Almighty for an answer as if G-d owes us an explanation. We are looking for answers with the wrong attitude. We ought to look inwardly and ask ourselves maybe we can do something to help alleviate the ongoing suffering?

I believe that we ought to reevaluate the need to bring G-d back into our homes.
We need to think that G-d made a beautiful world and maybe we are abusing it. Are we taking a beautiful garden and perhaps polluting its water and air, destroying the earth? The world should be a garden for G-d where animals and humans should live in harmony and not turn into a jungle with man-made wars, suffering, causing mass migrations.

We need to go back to the basics and remember the seven universal laws for mankind, known as the Seven Noachide Laws, to be deserving of the true blessings of G-d.

I believe that when our Father in Heaven looks down and sees His people living in harmony, He sees His garden as one big happy hope for humankind.

So, as we sit in our home sequestered by the fear of sickness we should use our time wisely and bring back to our homes the feelings of brotherhood, sharing, love and life.
When we do that our world will have no fear as G-d will take pride in His creation and make the world a true Garden of Eden, free from sickness bonded in love for all...

Rabbi Eli Hecht, Regional Director
Chabad of South Bay, 
24412 Narbonne Ave., Lomita, CA 90717
Tel:  (310) 528-4812.  Email:  Rabbieh@aol.com