As you all know, our community has seen an unfortunate resurgence of the Covid virus and increased positivity rates. Needless to say, the Board of Trustees’ highest obligation and priority is the health and safety of our congregation, preschool and staff. The Jewish value of pikuach nefesh, safeguarding life, provides that we have an ethical and moral responsibility to protect our community members.
In the midst of this ever-changing environment, we are striving to keep everyone safe while giving those people who do enter our doors confidence that the Temple is a safe place to commune, study and pray. Consequently, due to the seriousness of the Delta variant, the rapid increase in the number of Covid cases locally, and revised guidance from the CDC, the Kol Tikvah Board, with the guidance of our Covid Task Force, has updated protocols as follows:
Masks
Everyone over the age of two is required to wear a mask at all times when indoors regardless of vaccination status.
Food and beverage service
Food and drink are permitted outside the building. Food and beverage will no longer be served at congregational indoor events, including onegs, meetings, etc.
Rentals are still permitted. Families who are using our facilities for a private celebration will be allowed to establish their own protocols and notify their guests accordingly.
High Holy Days
High Holiday services will be available in person and live-streamed.
Although we wish we could fill the sanctuary and worship space to capacity these High Holy Days with completely open access, we cannot safely do so at this time. Here are the policies that have been adopted pertaining to this year’s High Holy Days:
In Person Attendance
All people attending indoor holiday services must be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination. For everyone’s safety, anyone who is not vaccinated (including children) or who is unable to show proof will not be allowed to enter. There will be no exceptions.
Everyone who wishes to attend must arrange for a ticket in advance. We will honor requests for reciprocal tickets. Nonmembers will be allowed to purchase tickets. Proof of full vaccination will be required before a ticket is released regardless if the person is a member or not.
Participation will be capped at 50% of occupancy in order to allow for physical distance and mitigate the risk of infection. If there are more people who wish to attend than space available, members will be given priority over nonmembers.
Participants who are reading torah or haftarah will be allowed to come up on the bimah and perform their honor while masked. Others will be invited to participate in group aliyot from their seat. Traditional opportunities to ascend the bimah for other individual honors will be suspended this year.
Children’s Programming/Services
Family Services will be held outside (weather permitting) on Rosh Hashanah Morning, September 7, and Yom Kippur Morning, September 16 at 8:45 a.m.
Because it is not safe to do so, babysitting and children’s programming during the main services will not be offered this year.
Alternative to In Person Attendance
Those not attending in person will be able to enjoy the worship experience in the comfort of their home or wherever they may be via livestream on our website and Facebook page. Members may borrow prayerbooks so that they can follow along with the service.
Next Steps
We will continue to actively monitor pandemic trends and the most up-to-date scientific recommendations as they evolve. The Task Force and Board are meeting as frequently as necessary so that protocols can be continually updated based on the changing landscape and CDC guidelines.
We know that many of you, and particularly unvaccinated children and their parents, may be disappointed. And so are we. We, like you, want to see a full and robust service. Rest assured that it was only after lengthy discussion with medical professionals and deep consideration that we determined that this is the best way to ensure that all of you will be healthy enough to attend, hopefully unmasked, next year’s services.
Thank you for your patience, flexibility and understanding. We look forward to the time when we can gather again in person without restrictions. May we continue to display courage and resilience as we support one another through these challenging times.