3 minute read
TI Vaccination Site
TI AS A COVID-19 VACCINATION SITE: Continuing Our Legacy of Service
By Dan Deutsch, Executive Director On January 6, 2021, I got a phone call. It was the Executive Director of Real Estate for Beth Israel Lahey Health. We’d worked together in the summer of 2020, when Temple Israel helped Beth Israel Hospital by storing equipment so that they could more effectively combat the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The phone call in January was slightly different: would Temple Israel consider hosting a COVID-19 vaccination clinic? Our leadership team knew we had to take this opportunity seriously. It was a moment to truly stand up for our values of pikuach nefesh, caring for the sick, and our role as true builder of community in Boston. There was no other answer but yes.
However, the process was extraordinarily complicated. We worked quickly to bring together a plan that would work for our partners and tenants, while providing a smooth and seamless experience for the Beth Israel Lahey Health patients. What would normally take months of planning, we did in two short weeks. We truly believe that with each patient treated at Temple Israel, we are one step closer to helping end this pandemic – and importantly, welcoming our members back into our building.
Along with other members of the Temple Israel staff, we have been able to meet some of the patients as they have come into our building and shared their stories with me. A 104-year-old woman told me that this was her first time being in a synagogue – and what a holy experience it was for her! I also heard a story of someone who was afraid to get the vaccine; when she saw that our congregation was the host for this clinic, she felt a sense of trust and signed up to get her shot. It’s also been incredible to see so many of our members come through the doors for the first time in over a year to get vaccinated.
In April, I was able to speak to a new national organization, Faith4Vaccines, about what it’s been like to host a vaccination clinic. I shared Temple Israel’s story with almost one hundred faith leaders around the country, as well as representatives from The White House. Each of these leaders is working to address vaccine hesitancy and to support equitable vaccine distribution through faith communities. We hope that the example we have set will cause others to also say “yes” and to stand up for the values of public health and community. Temple Israel is continuing its long legacy of service and making a difference every day.
"I just managed to get my COVID vaccination at the Temple. It was the most incredibly well-organized, efficient, easy experience! I’m so grateful to you all for working with BI on this. In my experience, both BI and TI have been amazingly menschlich and professional during the many years I’ve been associated with both. I just wanted to let you know how very much this gift of the vaccine site has meant. Truly a huge mitzvah on your part.
Thanks so much!" - MS Fearey
"I am sitting in the Levi Auditorium after my second shot filled with gratitude and joy. I entered TI three weeks ago with a sense of peace. To be surrounded by my spiritual community as I cared for the body was indeed a sacred act. Thank you for bringing the holistic spirit of caring for body and soul to our doors."
- Chris Bierbrier
