COVID-19 Advisory Task Force Updates (as of September 9, 2022)

COVID-19 Advisory Task Force Update – September 9, 2022

Beloved Friends,

Patience, understanding, and flexibility are three of the key middot, core values, that guided us in the planning and implementation of our COVID-19 protocols. We are so grateful to have safely and meaningfully reached this point. Throughout the pandemic, our COVID-19 Task Force has met to analyze current information regarding the virus and our response to it. We met this past Tuesday, and in reviewing the latest data we have, as well as our own experiences at Temple Jeremiah, the Task Force recommends the following adjustments to our policies:

Masking continues to be optional within our building.
- For High Holy Days, there are many options available to congregants for whatever their comfort level might be including worship/study in the sanctuary, in the tent, and via YouTube.
- Masks will continue to be available if someone forgets one or feels they would like to wear one after assessing the space.
Physical Distancing
- We will still continue to follow physical distancing but will be putting less space between chairs during worship.
- Individuals who are more cautious are welcome to find seating further away from others.
Food
- We will continue to reintroduce food back into programs.
- We will have items available that are individually wrapped.
Vaccination
- Temple does not have a vaccination requirement in place.
- We strongly encourage anyone eligible for COVID vaccines and/or boosters to get them.
Positive COVID Testing (Staff/Participants)
- We recommend following the CDC Guidelines found at https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/p0811-covid-guidance.html

All other policies will remain in place until further notice.

We wish you a Happy and Healthy New Year,

Temple Jeremiah COVID-19 Advisory Task Force
Scott A. Levin, MD, President
Barbara Miller, Immediate Past President
Ed Shapiro, Legal Counsel
Cory Franklin, MD
Charles Ieuter, Insurance Advisor
Rabbi Paul F. Cohen, D.Min., D.D.
Danny Glassman, Executive Director

COVID-19 Advisory Task Force Update – March, 2022

Temple Jeremiah no longer requires masks or proof of vaccination to enter. Please wear a mask if you are experiencing potential COVID-19 symptoms and be kind to those who choose to wear a mask for their own or others’ safety.

COVID-19 Advisory Task Force Update – December 15th, 2021

Beloved Friends,

Patience, understanding, and flexibility are three of the key middot, core values, that guided us in the planning and implementation of our COVID-19 protocols. We are so grateful to have safely and meaningfully reached this point. With the New Year of 2022 comes new hope for a better tomorrow. J-Quest, our religious education program, is off to an amazing start, led by our new Director of Congregational Learning, Matt Rissien. Matt, along with our stellar teaching staff, has created meaningful and joyful in-person and digital learning for our students. With one semester complete, we look to the new semester with even greater excitement.

Throughout the pandemic, our COVID-19 Task Force has met to analyze current information regarding the virus and our response to it. We met this past Tuesday, and in reviewing the latest data we have, as well as our own experiences at Temple Jeremiah, the Task Force recommends the following adjustments to our policies:

Food at Events

Being successful in safely reintroducing food to some of our programming, including family celebrations, Torah Study, and congregational dinners:

Beginning in January, we will be bringing back a small Oneg following Kabbalat Shabbat worship.
Onegs will take place in the social hall and/or the stage area and will be physically distanced.
Individuals may remove their masks only when eating or drinking.
Seating at tables will be reduced to a maximum of 6-8 people per table (depending on table size).
All food served will be individually wrapped.

All other policies will remain in place until further notice.

We wish you a Happy and Healthy New Year,

COVID-19 Task Force

COVID-19 Advisory Task Force Update – October 7th, 2021

Beloved Friends,

Patience, understanding, and flexibility are three of the key middot, core values, that guided us in the planning and implementation of our High Holy Day multi-access experiences. We are so grateful to have safely and meaningfully begun the New Year of 5782. With the New Year comes new hope for a better tomorrow. J-Quest, our religious education program, is off to an amazing start, led by our new Director of Congregational Learning, Matt Rissien. Matt, along with our stellar teaching staff, has created meaningful and joyful in-person and digital learning for our students. Throughout the pandemic, our COVID-19 Task Force has met to analyze current information regarding the virus and our response to it. In reviewing the latest data we have, the Task Force recommends the following adjustments to our policies:

Masking Policies (Staff)

We have mandated our staff to provide proof of full vaccination. Staff will be permitted to work in the office suite without a mask.
Masks will be required for staff in the public areas, and when other people are in the building (e.g. during school).
Volunteers working in the office will be required to show proof of vaccination and may remove their masks only after doing so. If working in public areas and when other people are in the building, volunteers will be required to wear masks.

Choral Singing

Following the protocols from High Holy Days, the volunteer choir will be able to participate in worship from the bima with a maximum of eight singers, while remaining masked and physically distanced.
The choir can sing from the congregation, again remaining physically distanced and masked.
Duets can be performed from the reading table unmasked, and physically distanced. This would be Cantor Friedman and one other singer.

Indoor Celebrations

We will begin to phase in indoor celebrations for our B’nai Mitzvah families.
Celebrations can take place in the social hall and/or the stage area and will be physically distanced.
Guests may remove their masks only when eating.
Seating at tables will be reduced to a maximum of 6-8 people per table (depending on table size).
All food will be served individually wrapped.

All other policies will remain in place until further notice.

The COVID-19 Advisory Task Force will be meeting in the coming weeks to determine if any additional updates are in order. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding.