Coronavirus Update

March 25, 2020

Dear Day Camp Families,

We hope this letter finds all of our families healthy and well. The past few weeks have been filled with uncertainty for all of us, though despite the challenges, we continue to move forward and plan for the future as best we can. The situation with the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be fluid, and we are working to respond to new and changing information. In addition to the order to close public schools through April 28, on Monday, March 23, Governor Kate Brown issued an executive order, "Stay Home, Save Lives", for Oregonians. As a result, the MJCC has suspended all of our programs and services until the order has been lifted.

What does this mean for MJCC summer camp? We believe it is important to connect with our camp families and share what we do know and what we are doing in regards to camp planning.

We are continuing summer camp planning in its entirety. We have compiled a toolbox for all camp staff to use throughout the summer. Carli Rosenthal, Camp Manager, attended the Song Leader Boot Camp conference in early February that focused on song leading, creating camp culture, and mindfulness. We have added a focus on all of those areas to our training program, which will be held before camp begins. We are ensuring that our counselors have what they need to thrive, which in turn, lets campers thrive! We received an Israel Engagement grant from the JCC Association, which gives our program additional resources to bring the culture of Israel into our camp. Some things that you will see this summer include: a day camp Maccabi games, an exploration of Israeli cuisine, an expansion of our Shabbat programming, and much more!  Additionally, we are moving forward with our hiring process by conducting virtual interviews via Google Hangouts and Zoom. We have interviewed a handful of Unit Heads and counselors who are eager for summer to start. Our interviews will continue into April, with jobs to be offered in May.

As we write this, we are excited for summer camp and eager to return to daily life. What we know for sure is that when this pandemic begins to slow and things begin to return to a sort of normalcy, our children are going to need summer camp. They are going to need the connection and social interaction, the movement and activities, the creativeness and silliness, and the ability to be with their peers and to just be children.

At this time, we are encouraging families to continue to plan for summer. Summer camp registration opened in January and spaces have filled up very quickly. Our camp is just over 80% full, with some weeks at capacity. You can find information on all of our camps and registration here at oregonjcc.org/daycamp and we urge you to register while space is still available. We acknowledge that these are uncertain times as we await updates and decisions from schools regarding the plan for the remainder of the school year. For peace of mind, we are suspending the deadline to withdraw from camp without penalty to June, with a full refund, to allow for flexibility and will continue to review our cancellation policies during the camp season. As a reminder, any families interested in financial assistance should visit our website at http://www.oregonjcc.org/daycamp and fill out this financial assistance form. 

In an effort to spread some joy and offer our families resources during the days, weeks, and months ahead, the MJCC camp team is providing online videos and activities to do with family and friends while at home. We hope that you will take advantage of these free, online resources found at oregonjcc.org/at-home.  We will also be hosting a variety of Zoom calls and Facebook Live videos where you and your children can connect with our camp staff, listen to a story, learn how to make a craft, and much more. Visit our Live Programming at oregonjcc.org/live-events

Stay safe and well. We look forward to seeing you at camp this summer.

Warmly,

Jennifer Harrington, Assistant Executive Director
Carli Rosenthal, Camps Manager

Dear Members of the MJCC,

We want to begin by thanking you for the support that you have extended to all of us at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center since our temporary closure began on Monday, March 16. When we announced that decision, we genuinely hoped that the closure would be of very limited duration and that it might be possible to resume some on-site services in April. Yesterday, on Monday, March 23, Oregon Governor Kate Brown issued an executive order, "Stay Home, Save Lives," for Oregonians. This order requires closure of all gym and fitness facilities, effective immediately and for indeterminate duration. As a result, all on-campus MJCC programs and services will remain suspended until the order is lifted.

As you know, the MJCC is a non-profit organization. Having to temporarily suspend activity at our physical facility is extremely challenging. We want to retain staff in order to continue to provide a growing range of on-line programs and services for you to enjoy while at home. We want to open our doors, when possible, to support our community during this critical time with efforts such as tomorrow's Red Cross Blood Drive. Furthermore, we are concerned about our ability to come out on the other side of this crisis in a position to serve the community we cherish. What we know for sure is that when this pandemic finally starts to slow, the programs and services we provide at the J will be needed like never before. 

We cannot do any of this without your on-going membership. We are pleased to offer you three options:

1. Continue to pay 100% of your membership dues. This is the default option for our members.
2. Pay 50% of your membership dues.
3. Freeze your membership in April at no charge. We fully understand that some of our members are experiencing financial challenges and are unable to support us at this time.

Note that any dues that are paid during the temporary closure will be considered a tax-deductible donation, and we will happily provide you with a letter acknowledging your contribution to the MJCC.

Please use the online form linked below to indicate your preference. Please reply by Thursday, March 26 to allow us to plan for the coming month. Please note that if you wish to continue to pay your regular membership dues, no action is required.         

Click here to submit your membership option

We recognize that this is an unprecedented request, and please know that we respect each member's individual situation. If we, as a community, can come together and do what we can, we will all benefit. Every one of you is an important part of the MJCC community, and we thank you for everything you do to help us sustain our beloved center.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you can do.

Looking forward to when we can, once again, see you at the J. 

Steve Albert, Executive Director
Jennifer Harrington, Asst. Executive Director

Dear MJCC Community,

We are writing to let you know that we have made the difficult decision to close the Mittleman Jewish Community Center (MJCC) effective Monday, March 16, 2020 through Tuesday, March 31, 2020. We want to reassure you that we are not aware of ANY reports of individuals who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) at the Schnitzer Family Campus. However, the safety of MJCC members, guests, volunteers, staff and community is our top priority, and we are taking appropriate action to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Limiting public gatherings and practicing social distancing is recommended by health experts, including the Center for Disease Control, the Oregon Health Authority, and the Multnomah County Health Department. A state of emergency has been declared in both the City of Portland and the State of Oregon, and Mayor Wheeler and Governor Brown have urged all of us to reduce gatherings and limit contact. These strategies are important to prevent our local healthcare facilities from becoming overloaded. The response in our state has been broad and comprehensive. Not only have all schools closed statewide, but all indoor Portland Parks & Recreation facilities are closing, as well as many other athletic centers, community centers, and libraries. We believe this temporary closure is an essential step to take to ensure the safety of our members and staff.

Although the campus will be temporarily closed, we recognize that our mission - to create an inclusive and welcoming hub for a diverse community, fostering lifelong wellness and providing dynamic social and educational experiences, grounded in Jewish values and culture - is not limited to the four walls of our building. Accordingly, our staff is mobilizing to explore opportunities for members and the community to stay connected, active and healthy, and to identify programs that you can enjoy at home. We plan to communicate regularly and hope to have additional details about these opportunities soon.

The MJCC will be open during normal hours on Sunday, March 15. We ask that you take this opportunity to empty out any rented locker to facilitate a planned deep-cleaning during the closure. Several other maintenance projects may be undertaken during this time, and your cooperation is appreciated.

In the coming weeks, most of our staff will be working remotely. We plan to compensate our staff and to keep our employees working as much as possible, without risk to health and safety. Because our team will be working remotely, we encourage you to contact staff members via email, although everyone will check voicemail periodically. We want to thank our staff for their hard work, dedication, and flexibility and for the commitment they bring to our entire community.

Please continue to reach out to us to share your feedback and questions. Also, know that we take seriously the investment you make in your and your family's MJCC membership. We will communicate directly with you as soon as we are able regarding your membership or missed programs. As our staff is occupied prioritizing health and safety and reorganizing certain operations, we appreciate your patience and understanding during this unique and unprecedented situation.  

We hope to have better news in the weeks to come. We will be in touch regarding any delay in our anticipated re-opening on April 1, and we will let you know about any adjustments to the start date of any spring programs. We are a resilient community and we will get through this—together.  In the meantime, please do everything you can to stay healthy and ensure the health of those around you.

Warm regards, 

Steve Albert, Executive Director
Jennifer Harrington, Asst. Executive Director
Steven Klein, President, Board of Directors

Dear MJCC Community,

As we continue to monitor the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and in an effort to support social distancing recommendations for our area, effective today Friday, March 13, we are limiting the capacity of our group exercise classes that are held in Studios I and II to 15 individuals per class. Additionally, we ask that when you attend a group exercise class, please follow recommended guidelines and allow for 3 – 6 feet between participants, wash your hands before and after class, and use the gym wipes which we have provided in both studios.

Please understand that once the 15 person capacity is met, additional participants will not be allowed into class and this policy will remain in effect until further notice. We will continue to monitor updates from local, state, and federal public health agencies and communicate any changes as we navigate the weeks to come. 

We thank you for your cooperation during this time.

Sincerely, 

Jennifer Harrington
Assistant Executive Director

March 2, 2020

Dear MJCC Community,

In recent weeks, the MJCC Management Team has been monitoring the status of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. We are in touch with and monitor recommendations from federal, state, and local health agencies on a regular basis, including the Center for Disease Control, the Oregon Health Authority, and the Multnomah County Health Department. I know that the recent news of a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the Portland metro area, along with the declaration of a state of emergency in the State of Washington, is causing unease to some. I am writing to let you know about our response at the Schnitzer Family Campus.

The health and safety of our community is always our top priority. We are increasing our usual hygiene practices throughout the campus. I have directed our maintenance, custodial, and fitness staff members to undertake more frequent cleaning of high-touch, hard surfaces, such as door handles, handrails, table tops, sinks, and fitness equipment. If necessary, we will engage an outside firm to assist with deep-cleaning efforts. We will continue to follow recommendations regarding cleaning and disinfection from the Center for Disease Control, as well as state and local agencies, and will also follow their guidelines regarding any potential temporary closures.

We will be posting signs to remind all members, guests, and employees of the symptoms of COVID-19, and urge anyone with symptoms to seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. We will also be posting signs to remind you of the steps that you can take to help reduce the spread of both the flu and COVID-19 viruses. These steps include the following:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue, sleeve or elbow when you cough or sneeze, and then wash your hands;
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water (for at least 20 seconds), or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, if necessary;
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth;
• Avoid shaking hands with other people;
• If you or another member of your household is sick, especially with a fever and/or other flu-like symptoms, stay at home and seek medical advice;
• Maintain your immune system by eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and addressing health problems when they arise.

Note that health experts believe that it is possible for an individual to carry the COVID-19 virus without showing any symptoms, making it all the more important that we follow the steps above, even if we feel healthy. The situation regarding the spread of COVID-19 is changing rapidly. You can stay up-to-date by visiting the following websites:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Oregon Health Authority
• Multnomah County Health Department

The health concerns associated with the COVID-19 outbreak can cause stress for many, and I want to remind you of our pillar behavior of B'Yachad. We usually translate it as "teamwork," but it literally means "together." We stand together as one community, and remain committed to supporting one another and treating everyone with respect, especially in the face of community-wide challenges.

Thank you for joining us in our efforts to ensure that the MJCC is a safe and healthy environment. We will continue to monitor all public health recommendations, plan for changing conditions, and communicate with you. Please feel free to be in touch if you have any questions.

Warm regards,

Steve Albert
Executive Director
Schnitzer Family Campus