Achiezer Community Information

Wed, 3 Jun 2020 12:45:01 -0400 (EDT)

Subject: Wednesday Updates from Achiezer

Please be advised that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s School Board Election, scheduled for Tuesday, June 9th, are mail in only.
By now, all those that reside within School District 15 should have received their ballots for voting by mail.

With the everchanging climate, it might be easy to forget about something seemingly mundane as the upcoming election,
but we wish to implore the community that this is as important as ever.

Please note that there is a deadline for the election. All votes must be received by 5:00 PM on June 9, 2020.
Any ballots which are not mailed today or tomorrow will likely not be received on time.
As such, for those who have not timely mailed in their ballots, there will be a drop box at the front of Lawrence High School (2 Reilly Road, Cedarhurst).

We hope that these measures will ensure that we have a School Board which is responsive to the needs of our community.

Best wishes,

Team Achiezer

Mon, 25 May 2020 14:00:34 -0400 (EDT)

Subject: Monday Updates from Achiezer

Dear Community,

Our town has shown incredible resiliency in adherence to the laws, which surely has sure has dropped contagions within the community, thereby getting us to where we are today. We are now aware of almost no new cases within the last week across the community. Of course, we are still not out of the woods and need to continue to do everything that we can to stop the spread.

ANTIBODY TESTING:
According to most physicians, antibody testing does have value and while not necessary, it is certainly helpful in providing peace of mind and possibly the next step in reopening. Baruch Hashem, last Wednesday’s Antibody Drive allowed for nearly 1,0000 [sic] community members to test for antibodies. We are grateful to those that assisted us in allowing this to materialize. To that end, the Northwell Facility at Yeshiva Shor Yoshuv is now capable of providing antibody testing as well. To sign up for testing, please CLICK HERE

LEGAL:
In consultation with our NYPD and NCPD partners, who work directly with the Governor’s and Mayor’s office, outdoor minyanim which are held, should continue to be held with strictest adherence to the rules established (i.e., small groups of fifteen people or less with strict social distancing at all times). With regards to the Governor’s latest ruling on indoor minyanim, our understanding at this time is that ten people at a time may be allowed in the building, provided that social distancing is in place at all times. Our local Rabbanim have been working closely with law enforcement to figure out the specific parameters for each shul.

MENTAL HEALTH:
Dr. Brucha Lowinger continues to be available for the community, as does a team of therapists, in conjunction with Madraigos, so that anybody who needs can reach out to us anytime at (516) 791-4444 ext 108.
Specifically, there are unfortunately many new widows due to COVID19. Please CLICK HERE for more details on a support group initiated by OHEL and Achiezer for widows who have lost their husbands to COVID19.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:
Aliza Wartelsky continues to lead our Westwood Financial Management Division, assisting those suffering financially with unemployment issues, furlough, government and organizational assistance and job search. We now have a task force comprised of professionals supporting her. For those that need, please reach out to awartelsky@achiezer.org or call (516) 791-4444 ext 112.

Please refer to THIS FLYER for more information on frumbiz.org, a website for those seeking employment or looking to hire within our community. Elke Rubin from our staff, with Job Board experience, is liaising with this group, and those seeking employment opportunities should refer to this website.

YOM TOV:
With Shavuos upon us, there are many who are still isolated. If you are aware of anyone that will be alone for Yom Tov, please CLICK HERE so that we can brighten their Yom Tov.

COMMON SENSE:
Infectious disease experts all agree that when amongst your own family members or when taking a personal walk, a mask is not required. However, until we know that this disease is truly gone, we need to be fair to others and those susceptible to the disease.
When you are out, or walking through a crowded area, in a grocery store, picking up takeout – forget protecting yourself – protect others - wear a mask. Note that the mask is ineffective if it does not cover your nose and mouth.
As questions regarding mask wearing, testing and other continue to come up, please feel free to reach out to covid19@achiezer.org and we will try our best to assist.

Best wishes,

Team Achiezer

Fri, 15 May 2020 17:15:48 -0400 (EDT)

Dear Community, As this difficult pandemic continues to drag on, we want to remind you that we are here for you.

One of the greatest struggles that we all face is the lack of clear information from the government. Our staff has invested countless hours to continue to provide updated guidelines and shelter-in-place orders in both New York City and Nassau County. As of this writing, we have had extensive talks with both governments so as produce specific guidelines which pertain to our neighborhoods within the next few days.The prolonged isolation that many of us contend with can cause stress and anxiety at levels which we have never before dealt with. Our mental health department, led by Dr. Brucha Lowinger, is completely confidential and accessible. Dr. Lowinger can be reached at blowinger@achiezer.org or by calling (516) 791-4444 ext. 108.

Together with the National Institute of Health and Lev Rochel Bikur Cholim, next week we will be hosting a community-wide blood drive which will provide antibody results as well as research for the Mayo Clinic’s study of the COVID-19 immune response. If you are a medical professional able to assist with blood drawing, please CLICK HERE to volunteer.  Registration for the antibody drive will be sent out separately.

A group of dedicated activists have come together to create a new platform to promote local small businesses that have been struggling in the wake of the current pandemic. To access this directory, please visit www.frumbiz.org (please note that the website is password protected - 613).

While infections have slowed, the risk is still very real and we are here to answer any questions that you may have. Please contact covid19@achiezer.org with any inquiries. With Shavuos approaching, and many individuals once again forced to spend Yom Tov alone, we have organized a community-wide effort to ensure that these individuals receive love and support for Yom Tov. Please CLICK HERE if you will be spending Yom Tov alone or if you know someone who will be spending Yom Tov alone so that we can reach out directly.

We wish to remind you that Achiezer's line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our trained staff is ready, willing and able to assist with any matter you may need. We can be reached at (516) 791-4444.
Wishing you a good shabbos, Team Achiezer

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 15:24:01 -0400 (EDT)

Dear Community,

We hope that you all enjoyed your Yom Tov, despite the numerous challenges that it may have posed for many. We understand that there are varying difficulties which lie in the coming weeks and our team is available to assist as the situation evolves.

We wish to extend our boundless gratitude to our dedicated staff and volunteers that spent much of their Pesach assisting community members.

We are continually updated by local physicians as well as those from the greater tristate area, all of whom have confirmed that our social distancing efforts have saved lives thus far.

To that end, the 5 Towns Covid Market last week was a large success and certainly helped avoid supermarket crowding. They've revamped the ordering process for this week - please visit 5tmarket.com to place an order.

We've received a tremendous amount of inquiries regarding the rapid "finger prick" antibody testing. The data on these tests is still inconclusive. As such, they are not recommended by our physicians at this time. We are continuing to work closely with several hospitals regarding plasma donations and legitimate antibody testing, but inasmuch as the hospital system is extremely backed up, they have not been able to provide us with a firm update as of this writing. We hope to have a more concrete statement within the next 36 hours.

Among the many concerns that community members have during these difficult financial times is regarding their health insurance. Please CLICK HERE for frequently asked questions regarding insurance and the current pandemic.

Please note that, beginning Thursday, April 23rd, there will be free kosher meals available at the following two locations from 7:30 AM until 1:00 PM for each New York City resident that requests it:

PS 197, 825 Hicksville Road, Far Rockaway, New York
PS 253, 1307 Central Avenue, Far Rockaway, New York

For more information regarding this, please visit www.schools.nyc.gov/koshermeals
As a response to the unprecedented loss experienced by so many, together with Ohel, we will be co-hosting Thera-Zoom sessions for those who have lost parents to Covid-19. Please click HERE for more information. As always, feel free to reach out to our team for any need that arises. Achiezer’s lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for urgent matters.
For all medical recommendations and hospital-based matters, please email erubin@achiezer.org or call (516) 791-4444 ext. 105.

For any shopping, errands, or any volunteer related matters, please email arosenberg@achiezer.orgor call (516) 791-4444 ext. 125.

For any family crises or financial related matters, please email awartelsky@achiezer.org or call (516) 791-4444 ext. 112.

For any chevra kadisha related matters or inquiries, please email shalomj@achiezer.org or call (516) 791-4444 ext. 106.

For any donation inquiries or to assist with the continued cost of this ongoing effort, please email ahirsch@achiezer.org or call (516) 791-4444 ext. 129.

For Meals ‘n More, please email meals@achiezer.org (please note that at this time the program is limited to Zucker Hillside and maternity patients only).

For any insurance related inquiries, please email smiller@achiezer.org or call (516) 791-4444 ext. 132.

For medical equipment, please email mpicker@achiezer.org or call (516) 791-4444 ext. 110.

For COVID related inquiries (for testing, quarantine, etc.), please contact covid19@achiezer.org. PLEASE NOTE that this is NOT for urgent medical inquiries.


Stay safe, stay strong - together we will get through this -

Team Achiezer


Achiezer Quarentine Guidelines