Dear Fellow Congregants,

In consideration of our return to in-person gatherings, we will be taking our cues from our Temple Jeremiah COVID-19 Advisory Task Force. We continue to learn more from public health specialists, specifically from the CDC (who have offered both general guidelines and specific guidelines impacting religious and educational institutions), about transmission, protection, and safe gathering practices when they will become possible again. This much, however, is already clear: the possibility of safely gathering again for intergenerational communities like ours will emerge slowly and return to gathering will be necessarily cautious and gradual in phases. This policy lays out what we know, what we reasonably expect, and how we will be guided in decision making about our return to in-person activities at Temple Jeremiah.

General Guidelines About Gatherings and Return to Our Building:

  1. As a Kehillah Kedosha, a sacred Jewish community, we prioritize the health and wellness of all who are a part of our congregational family, sharing special concern for those who are most vulnerable.
  2. As a proud intergenerational and inclusive synagogue, we are a particular kind of community organization that must be “necessarily cautious.” We are not a business or a restaurant. We have to give special attention in our decision making to the needs of those especially susceptible to COVID-19, including seniors, people with compromised immune systems, and those with respiratory or cardiac conditions. If gathering in person puts people at serious risk, even if it is not the people who are gathering, we must refrain from doing so.
  3. The work of the synagogue continues, and even continues to grow, as we wait to return. Temple Jeremiah is more than a building, and more even than in-person programming; Temple Jeremiah is our community. During the suspension of gathering, we have discovered new ways to fulfill our mission that are transforming our congregation for the better. Particularly shining examples can be found in the initiatives of the board of directors, spiritual initiatives, and programming opportunities, which have continued offering quality experiences for all ages even during these trying times.
  4. Until there is minimal community spread, and, hopefully, a COVID-19 vaccination, large gatherings of the congregation are uncertain. Other hopeful developments like anti-viral medication, could also serve to mitigate the risks associated with gathering.

How, and when, will we reopen?

Though tempting to identify a specific date for when we will begin a phased reopening, the nature of the COVID-19 virus 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 Phase 3 Plan outlined below. 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.

Phase Three Specifics 

We will follow all guidelines as indicated by the State of Illinois and the CDC, meaning:

  • In-person life cycle events are permitted with no more than 10 people
    • Everyone is masked for the entire event.
    • Only one clergy will be in the service at a time.
    • Services will be modified to maintain social 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 wear gloves.
  • The building will follow stringent entrance and safety procedures
    • Guests must preregister.
    • Temperature and health screening questions will be asked of each registered guest upon entering.
      • If you have any symptoms (cough, cold, sneezing, temperature, etc.) you will not be permitted in the building.
    • Only one entrance will be open with the door opened so no one needs to touch the door handle.
    • Only one entrance will be open with the door opened so no one needs to touch the door handle.
    • Only one bathroom will be available (in Rabbi Cohen’s office.)
    • Social distancing will be observed at all times.

​​​​​​​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 the COVID-19 virus.

We will also follow the above guidelines if the clergy is officiating at a life cycle 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.

Best,

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