Keeping Our Community Informed When Inclement Weather and Other Emergencies Hit

 Tikvat Israel is committed to providing up-to-date information on closings, delays, postponements and cancellations due to inclement weather or other emergency situations, which can happen throughout the year. Whenever possible we will notify, by email, all members of any weather-related scheduling changes. You may also call the Tikvat Israel Weatherline at 301-762-7338, ext. 360, for recorded weather- and emergency-related announcements.
 
Decisions are made by synagogue leadership in consultation with local authorities and based on our assessment of what is in the best interests of our congregational community.
 
In the event of inclement weather forecast for Friday night through Saturday night, we will do our best to make and communicate a decision regarding cancelling services and other scheduled Shabbat and post-Shabbat programs no later than one hour prior to candle lighting time. Sometimes, however, the unpredictable nature of weather necessitates making a decision on Shabbat. For Shabbat services, we will communicate a decision by 8:30 am via message on the Weatherline and via a brief email, with the key information in the subject line.
 
While we do not normally communicate via phone and email on Shabbat, a commitment to the principle of pikuach nefesh – saving a life – overrides the normal Shabbat restrictions. Of course we encourage all congregants to use their own discretion when deciding whether or not to attend services and programs during inclement weather. We will work to make sure that driving and walking areas on the synagogue grounds are safe as soon as possible. As always, our primary concern is for the safety of our congregants and our community.
 
Stay warm, stay safe and stay tuned!