COVID-19 Coronavirus Update

Public Advisories

​The public health situation regarding the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic is evolving daily. See our Public Advisories page for the latest advisories, useful public health information, and links to civic resources such as vote-by-mail.
If you’re self-isolating, but struggle with loneliness, please reach out to Crisis Text Line for free crisis counseling. Remember to take care of your mental health as well as your physical health in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. You can reach them by texting LEV to 741741. Please share this life-saving resource with family and friends. 

Federation Resources

As an essential human services agency, the Federation office currently expects to remain open for the duration of the crisis. Hours of operation may vary. Please call ahead.
Out of concern for the health and safety of our community, Federation is expanding our roster of support services for the duration of the crisis.
  • Our kosher meal home delivery on Mondays and Wednesdays is now available to all Northwest Indiana Jewish community members who would like to participate. See details at right.
    *Subject to change pending further public health mandates. As an essential human service agency, we will continue meal service as long as we are able to remain open. 
  • Our Food Pantry has expanded its hours to 12pm-3pm on Thursdays. Rather than allow visitors to shop the pantry as previously, we have moved to a system of contact-free curbside distribution. Please pull up to the front of the building and someone will assist you momentarily.
  • In light of the above, we can use additional healthy volunteers to deliver meals, run errands, and other services. Please contact the Federation office if you would like to participate.
Kosher Meal Home Delivery
​Please order by noon on the previous business day. Orders received after that time will be filled on a space-available basis. Click below for the online order form, or call the office at 219-301-0960. You may leave voicemail outside of regular office hours.
Deliveries will be made between 12-2pm each day. Cost is $8 per meal. In case of financial hardship, pay what you can. No money is collected at time of delivery; we will invoice you at the beginning of the next month. ​
​K'Ton Ton Preschool is delaying Fall 2020 in-person opening until September 14, pending further public health advisories.
All Adult Friendship Club on-site lunches and programs as well as Chair Yoga are cancelled through at least June 2020. Plans to reopen will be announced as they unfold, based on the developing situation. At the same time, we know that times of isolation and sickness re exactly when our seniors need social and nutritional support the most. Please contact Susan Tepperman, Jewish Community Services Coordinator, at susan@federationonline.org if you know of someone who is immune-compromised or a senior who may need resources,

Virtual Programming

While Federation's on-site programming is on hiatus, we're curating our favorite online resources and programs for the community right here on our website. No Facebook account required!

Congregational Resources

All organizations will continually monitor CDC and government safety suggestions to determine the best time to restart activities. 
Chabad of Northwest Indiana - Munster:
We will continue to share words of wisdom and Torah through email and social media since Judaism is never in quarantine!
Congregation Beth Israel - Munster:
The health and well-being of our congregational family is always our highest priority.
  • Rabbi Levin is sending out a new weekly email called "Welcoming Shabbat," with new content to celebrate Shabbat at home, including the Friday Zoom service information and recordings from the week's Torah and Haftarah portions.
  • A Zoom Kabbalat Shabbat service is held each Friday evening at 6:00pm, prior to candlelighting. Please email office@cbi-nwi.org to request the meeting link. Prior to services, please download the Kabbalat Shabbat service (PDF).
  • ​The CBI office is currently closed.  Messages and mail are being picked up daily.  Call 219-922-0101 or email office@cbi-nwi.org for assistance.
Sinai Temple - Michigan City:
Watch the weekly Shabbat service on the Sinai Temple Facebook page.
  • Twice a month, Rabbi Suzanne Griffel will conduct the service by Zoom; it will also be streamed on our Facebook page. Please email Rabbi Griffel at suzannegriffel@sbcglobal.net to request the meeting link.
  • Pre-recorded Shabbat Services will be streamed on Facebook on the alternate Friday nights.
Temple Beth-El - Munster:
As of now the Temple Office will be open (10am–3pm); we will keep you posted if changes are made. Per guidelines from national, state and local authorities we are limiting social gatherings as a precaution. For that reason, we will not have face to face meetings unless essential and turn to platforms that will provide us with technological means to interact.
  • ​Friday night worship for Shabbat will be held online at 7:30pm via the Temple Beth-El Facebook page.
  • Saturday mornings, Rabbi Zukrow will host Torah study via Zoom at 10am. Please email RabbiLen@zukrow.com for the Zoom links and passwords.​
Temple Israel - Miller:
  • Friday Night Shabbat Services via Zoom: Fridays at 7:30pm. 
    Please email templeisraelmiller@gmail.com to request the meeting link and online siddur.
  • Let's Do Lunch! via Zoom: Tuesdays at 12:00pm. 
    Please email templeisraelmiller@gmail.com to request the meeting link.
    How are you doing with social distancing? What's helping you get through? What are your concerns? Please join us for our weekly virtual get-together on Tuesdays at lunchtime from 12-1 pm. It's a time to connect with each other and to share ideas, stories, worries, and inspirations.
  • Chai Mitzvah Adult Education—New Series: Mussar: Alternate Saturdays at 10:30am
    Please RSVP to templeisraelmiller@gmail.com for the Zoom link and the class materials.
    We are pleased to announce the new Chai Mitzvah - Adult Education series taking place on Zoom. Classes will be held every other Saturday. The subject for the coming months is the study of "Mussar", a Jewish spiritual practice that gives concrete instructions on how to live a meaningful and ethical life. It is virtue-based ethics—based on the idea that by cultivating inner virtues, we improve ourselves. This is in contrast to most Jewish ethical teachings, which are rule-based. Today, a number of people who do not follow traditional Jewish rules and rituals are attracted to Mussar because it offers opportunities for personal transformation through a Jewish lens. Each of the 11 sessions will be led by Rabbi Damsky and will explore a different inner virtue (such as wisdom, generosity, humility, responsibility) through discussion and Jewish texts. The class starts at 10:30 a.m.- we open up the Zoom for "brunch" visiting at 10:00 am and you can drop in any time. All are welcome!
Temple Israel - Valparaiso:
​Until further notice all services and activities are cancelled at Temple Israel. That includes Friday night services, Saturday Torah Study, Sunday school, and Rabbi Feferman’s office hours.