COVID 19 UPDATE - january 5, 2021


Shalom friends, 


A new year (2021) is here! We began this new year the same way we ended last year—praising our Messiah and looking to Him for help, provision, and guidance during what has proven to be challenging times. 

The Rosh Pinah Elder board members have been prayerfully and carefully looking to the LORD throughout the pandemic. We have given the wellbeing of His flock at Rosh Pinah high priority. As a result of genuine love and concern, we are canceling all events taking place at the Rosh Pinah building from now through Friday, January 22. This also includes all mid-week gatherings at the building. GOD willing, we will reassess matters before January 22 and make another decision about holding community activities at the Rosh Pinah facility.

 

But canceling events at the Rosh Pinah building does not mean these events have stopped. Far from it. Each event during this down time is now taking place via Zoom. We are excited many have ‘zoomed’ in for these events and have shared in fellowship and study with other Rosh Pinah members.


Thank you for your prayers, support, encouragement and patience. As we have said previously, our Messiah is faithful and we will get through this season victoriously by His grace.


Sincerely and prayerfully,

The Elders of Rosh Pinah


COVID 19 UPDATE - DECEMBER 15, 2020


Shalom Everyone!


Even a casual observer recognizes the impact of COVID-19 upon Oklahoma has worsened during the last month. In fact, currently the situation is the worst it has ever been; more deaths, more infections and more hospitalizations. Barring GOD’s intervention, the conditions are bound to worsen in the weeks ahead. Hospital space is at a premium, skilled nursing and care givers are in shortage status, and people of all ages are contracting the virus. Some are dying. And, as we look at what is happening in Israel, we see they too are facing a 3rd complete shutdown of the whole country including the economy, schools, and all public gatherings.


With all this and more in mind, the Elders of Rosh Pinah continue to look to the LORD for His direction. We sense it is best to refrain from meeting at least for the next 3 weeks, December 19, December 26 and January 2. Besides these Shabbat meeting dates, we will not be meeting at the building for prayer meetings, or Bible studies during this time, too. Please plan to join us for the Zoom meetings we will be continuing as we have been doing the last few weeks.


Thank you for your consideration and for your prayers. We also thank you for your support for Rosh Pinah during this unusual time. We will get through this as we stay together, support one another, use wisdom and keep our eyes on Yeshua.


Please stay tuned to the Rosh Pinah website for the latest information and teachings.


Sincerely,


The Elders of Rosh Pinah



COVID 19 Update - December 4, 2020


- Shalom friends:


The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a challenging event for many of us. But all is not lost. We can say, GOD is faithful, He never fails. The leadership of Rosh Pinah has an established history of facing challenges head-on while steadfastly looking to the LORD for His guidance and sustaining provision during the challenges. Seeking the wellbeing of the congregation is deeply rooted in our hearts and motivates our decisions.


To those who extend prayer and faithfully offer continued support for the community during these times, we say, ‘todah rabah’ - thank you very much. Such sacrifices are pleasing to the LORD. (Hebrews 13:6)


Currently, the Rosh Pinah Elders agree that it is wise and best not to meet at the Rosh Pinah building. This Shabbat, December 5, and the next Shabbat, December 12, Shabbat services are cancelled. Also during this same time span, all meetings including Tuesday prayer and Bible study at the building are canceled. The Elders continue to prayerfully monitor the situation. So please avail yourselves of the Rosh Pinah website for the latest news, updates, and teachings.


Though the facility is closed, we remain an active community but in a different way.


While we are closed, we plan to:

  • make available a recorded message each Shabbat.
  • facilitate a live-via-Zoom Shabbaton discussion on the Torah portion each Shabbat at 2:15 pm.
  • have a live-via-Zoom Bible study each Tuesday at 7:30 pm.
  • conduct a live-via-Zoom Prayer Meeting, each Tuesday time to be determined.
  • convene a men’s meeting live-via-Zoom Men’s Meeting THIS SUNDAY at 9:30am
  • forward soon to the ladies, details of the Ladies Zoom Hanukkah meeting; Sunday, December 13, 2:30pm

(Feel free to invite like-minded family and friends to attend these free sessions and remember to forward or share the recorded teachings with others, too.)


And there is more!


GOD willing, the first night of Hanukkah, Thursday December 10 at 7 PM we will host a community Zoom menorah lighting, each of us participating in our own homes with our own menorah and candles. Watch for the specific details.


We are also very excited about the soon-to-be released Rosh Pinah newsletter, HaShofar. Please watch for the arrival of the newsletter in the near future.


We have also prayerfully completed the Tuesday night Bible study schedule for 2021. The topics will be posted on the Rosh Pinah website by January 1, GOD willing.


Even in a time of uncertainty, we sense the LORD is with our community in a remarkable way. By His grace, we will walk through this challenge together.


We are trusting ADONAI to lead and to provide for the congregation as we put Him, His work, and the wellbeing of His flock above all else.


Now, let’s go forward together, grateful to Yeshua, the One whose love is sure even in unsure times.


Sincerely and prayerfully,


Rabbi Michael and the Elders of Rosh Pinah


covid-19 update - November 19, 2020


Shalom All,


After prayerful consideration, we will not be meeting for any purpose at the Rosh Pinah facility until Shabbat, December 5 at 10:40am. But, we will be holding a weekly Zoom Shabbaton meeting at 2:15 each Shabbat afternoon, GOD willing. If you desire an invitation to the Shabbaton Zoom meetings, please contact Roy Patterson (admin@roshpinah.org) to be added to the invitation list. Be aware that you cannot attend Zoom meetings without an official invitation from those conducting the meeting.


We encourage you to spend this upcoming time at home in prayer and Scripture study; seeking the LORD for His wisdom and provision. Make the most of this time and make sure to remain as separated as possible from others outside of your immediate family. The spread of the Covid virus is the worst ever seen in Oklahoma right now...and seems to be worsening according to OKC's Mayor Holt. For some reason, this verse comes to mind: Proverbs 22:3 “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.”


Although this is an unusual season for all of us, we should be comforted knowing the LORD loves each of us and He does not change. Plus, the Scripture is clear: "All things work together for the good for those who love GOD and are called according to His purpose."


We will update the Rosh Pinah website as new congregational guidelines develop.


Sincerely and prayerfully,


The Rosh Pinah Elders

Covid-19 Update - July 22, 2020


In case you have not realized or were somehow misinformed, we reopened Rosh Pinah for Shabbat service and Tuesday evening prayer and Bible study on June 13, 2020. Seeing many of you at regularly scheduled Rosh Pinah functions has been a great blessing. The powerful presence of the Holy Spirit has been obvious, too.


On Shabbat, July 4th (Independence Day), we joyously announced our ‘independence’ from the bank mortgage/ lien on our facility. We now own the building and property out right! If you are investing in Rosh Pinah, your investment is paying dividends. We thank you in the Name of our LORD Yeshua, the Center of our Messianic Jewish community.


To be clear, there is no restriction on the number of members, friends and visitors who want to attend our services. Since reopening, Shabbat Worship Services have been very well attended. Plus, first time visitors have joined us each week. Our Tuesday Prayer time and Bible study in the sanctuary are also well received, with good attendance and a good level of participation. We are also hosting Zoom Shabbaton sessions each Saturday at 2:15 pm. These have been well attended, too.


We appreciate everyone’s savlanut (סבלנות or patience) as we walk through this challenging pandemic together as a mishpacha (family). The precautionary steps we are now taking reflect a genuine care for each participant at Rosh Pinah.

       

HERE IS AN UPDATE ON OUR COMMUNITY SITUATION.


1. Access to the facility will continue to be through the West Entrance. We will monitor temperatures and list those attending service. We realize such precautions may make some uncomfortable. Please know the list of people and temperatures are not shared with any government agency. They are locked securely in a file cabinet. The list will be destroyed when we resume normal operations. Our purpose is to have an accurate contact list in the event someone in attendance contracts Covid-19. We want to do our part protecting the health and safety of everyone at Rosh Pinah. Your well-being is important to us.


2. Please continue to wash your hands and use hand sanitizer. We have hand sanitizer available as needed. The City of Oklahoma City and the State of Oklahoma strongly encourage the wearing of face masks at all times. Use of face masks is also strongly encouraged by the Elders of Rosh Pinah. Doing so helps prevent the spread of Covid-19.  At this point, it is up to you to decide whether to wear a face mask as you attend Rosh Pinah. We do encourage anyone with significant health issues to be sure to follow the guidelines of their personal physician. Older congregants and anyone with underlying health concerns should consult their physician before attending Rosh Pinah. Families with children should be aware that until further notice there is no babysitting or children's classes during Rosh Pinah functions. To those who choose to remain at home rather than attend meetings at our synagogue facility, please know we love you and sincerely pray His blessings upon you just as we do for those who choose to attend.  Please do not feel any condemnation whether you attend or don't attend.  You are loved by the LORD and by your friends and 'mishpacha' at Rosh Pinah. At the very least, we can all stay in touch via Zoom. Rosh Pinah offers Shabbaton Zoom meetings at 2:15 PM most Shabbats; this Zoom meeting is open to everyone. For more information about this or other Zoom meetings, please contact the Rosh Pinah office at: info@roshpinah.org


3. We ask that you maintain physical distance. Please refrain from embracing others, shaking hands, or holding hands. We understand the desire to dance in worship during the service. We ask that there be no dancing in the building during services. This situation is temporary but these guidelines remain in effect until official notification from the Elders of Rosh Pinah.


4. We will continue audio recording of the Shabbat services until video is available. Our goal is to eventually live stream all Shabbat services online. We are researching so as to purchase equipment to record and edit Shabbat Services and Tuesday Bible studies. In the meantime, our focus has been on several expensive facility issues including repair of the aging air condition system in the sanctuary.


The Rosh Pinah Elders are praying that you prosper, remain healthy, and continue to grow in Messiah during this unusual time. We hope to see you at our regular functions as listed above. Thank you for your prayers and support. Both are needed and appreciated.