Dear Fellow Congregants, 

The COVID-19 Advisory Task Force met this week and reviewed our current operating procedures, along with data from the CDC and Illinois Public Health. As of April 13, we are maintaining the same practices and procedures that were put in place in early March. Click here for the specific details. We continue to keep Pikuach Nefesh, the preservation and protection of life, front and center. This one command supersedes almost every other command in our Jewish tradition. We are optimistic that we will be able to make updates as the situation evolves later this spring and into the summer. 

How, and when, will we reopen? 

As mentioned in our previous updates, as tempting as it is to identify a specific date for when we will go back to “normal,” the nature of COVID-19 and its spread makes this virtually impossible. Drawing upon guidelines established by other faith communities and the recommendations of the CDC, we have initiated a phased reopening as outlined below. The COVID-19 Advisory Task Force will evaluate our procedures every six weeks to determine the best course of action moving forward. The following procedures will be applicable to all synagogue gatherings (both onsite and offsite), usage of the facility by synagogue partners, and all who enter into a rental agreement with Temple Jeremiah. 

Current Specifics (as of April 14, 2021) 

We will follow all guidelines as indicated by Cook County, the State of Illinois, and the CDC, yet reserve the right to further enhance our procedures to fulfill our number one goal: the health and safety of our community. 

  • In-person lifecycle events and worship are permitted with no more than 50 This number will continue to be evaluated on a regular basis. 
    • Please stay posted for information on upcoming in-person worship options.
  • Everyone wears a mask for the entire event. 
  • Only one rabbi will be in the service at a time. The cantor may participate in lifecycle events/worship in the Schreibman Sanctuary only with the use of a designated area for singing and chanting. 
  • Services will be modified to maintain physical distancing. 
  • Guests need to bring their own tallit and kippah. Prayer books will be available to use and safely stored after use. 
  • All who touch the Torah should sanitize their hands prior to handling. 
  • The building will follow stringent entrance and safety procedures which include: 
    • Pre-registration for anyone entering the building which includes completing a waiver form three days prior to the event. 
    • There will be designated entrances and exits to help maintain physical distance. 
    • Temperature and health screening questions will be asked of each person upon entering. 
    • If you have any symptoms (cough, cold, sneezing, fever, etc.) you will not be permitted in the building. 
    • Physical distancing will be observed at all times. 
  • Select programs may take place inside of the physical building. 
    • All the above stated policies will be enforced for those activities as well. 
  • Food service will not take place within the Temple. Events occurring outside of our physical space may offer food provided it is individually wrapped. 
  • Select programs may take place outside of the physical building. 
    • These programs will require all to wear face masks and practice in physical distancing. 
  • All worship and programming being held within the physical building will continue in our current digital format as well. 

WHEN ENTERING, YOU ASSUME THE RISK AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WHILE TEMPLE JEREMIAH REGULARLY CLEANS AND SANITIZES OUR BUILDING, WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL BE PROTECTED FROM THE SPREAD OF COVID-19. 

We will also follow the above guidelines if the clergy is officiating at a lifecycle event at a different location, such as a funeral or wedding. The above guidelines will stay in effect until such time as new information has been released by the Governor and the CDC, or health officials. To say that these are very trying times seems so inadequate. We join you in the prayer and the hope that we will see a re-opening of our world soon. Until that time, know that we are doing everything we can to keep our community safe and connected. 

Best, 

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