The value of protecting human life and well-being, pikuach nefesh, has guided the decisions of Beth Ahabah’s leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We have proceeded cautiously to ensure the health and safety of our clergy, staff, members, and community at large. As evidenced by the robust and highly effective roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine, declining case counts, and plummeting hospitalizations, we believe we have reached a turning point and can begin to fully embrace congregational life once again!
Following the most recent guidance from the CDC, local and state agencies, and our own medical experts, our Return to In-Person Events Committee has approved updated protocols for all in-person services, life cycle events, and programming effective June 18. We hope these new protocols offer a balance of joyful celebration and prudent safety precaution.
Attendance
Capacity limits for Shabbat, life cycle events, and programming have been removed and reservations are no longer required as our spacious Sanctuary allows comfortable and safe seating for our usual attendance numbers.
Health screenings and questionnaires are no longer required.
Masks
Masks are no longer required at either indoor or outdoor events for fully vaccinated individuals (full vaccination is defined as two weeks after the second dose in a 2-dose series or two weeks after the first dose in a single shot vaccine). While no longer required, we respect the decision of any fully vaccinated individual to continue wearing a mask. click here for 8/5/21 update to mask protocol
We ask all individuals who are not fully vaccinated, including children under 12, to please continue to wear a mask and observe social distancing while attending all congregational services and programs.
Seating
The Sanctuary will offer both non-distanced seating areas and seats designated for social distancing so that individuals attending services may choose to be seated according to their needs or preferences.
Our ushers will provide assistance in locating preferred space and seating.
Schmoozing
We are all thrilled to be re-connecting, so please feel free to exit immediately after services and schmooze with your friends and family in the fresh air just outside the Sanctuary.
We look forward to offering onegs, cook-outs, and other exciting programs later this summer. Please be on the lookout for more details in near-future updates. click here for 8/5/21 update to food service
High Holy Days and Religious School
Thank you for completing the recent surveys – that information will help us plan meaningful experiences for all of our members. We may seek additional feedback as the landscape has changed even in the few weeks since the conclusion of the surveys. We plan to provide more details on the fall programing very soon.
Plans for both High Holy Days and Religious School will include both in-person and virtual options.
We look forward to welcoming more and more people back to services and programming, and reestablishing our invaluable connections. We realize that virtual attendance has become popular and we plan to continue virtual options for all Sanctuary worship services and for other events as permissible. Such options will be communicated separately as part of specific instructions related to the event. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to any of us.
Rabbi Scott Nagel
Cantor Sarah Beck-Berman
Heather Dinkin, Director of Congregational Operations
James Hensley, Facilities Manager
Julie Mullian, President of Board of Managers
Congregation Beth Ahabah
1121 West Franklin Street
Richmond, VA 23220
