Congregational Updates Regarding COVID-19

Joyful Connection and Celebration!
Updated Protocols for Gathering

Dear Beth Ahabah Family:
 
We hope you and your families are enjoying a sweet, healthy, and peaceful new year! Although the Delta variant of COVID-19 certainly presented its challenges for High Holy Day services this year, our congregation pulled together to ensure a joyful holiday season. Thank you to all of our congregants for your flexibility and understanding throughout all of our celebrations.
 
As we have an extraordinary number of special events and programs planned for this Fall, we would like to provide clear and updated safety protocols for all in-person attendance. The goal of these protocols is to ensure a safe and healthy environment to allow our congregants and guests to actively engage in a full calendar of meaningful programs and activities. In developing these protocols, our Return to In-Person Events Committee considered the most recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and local health agencies, and our own medical experts.

We will continue to update our protocols as necessary following guidance from public health officials, medical experts and our own judgment to ensure a safe Sanctuary. Again, thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued dedication to health, welfare, and safe worship at Beth Ahabah.
 
Shabbat Services, Sanctuary Programs and Life Cycle Events
(no change to current protocols)

• Reservations, health screenings, and questionnaires are no longer required.
• Capacity limits have been removed.
• Vaccination is strongly recommended, but not required, for all eligible congregants and guests.
• Masks are required for all individuals, regardless of vaccine status, while inside the building, and are optional while outside.
• Social distancing is strongly recommended for all individuals, regardless of vaccine status.

 
Adult Beit Midrash and Education Programs

• Registration is required.
• Capacity limits are based on the room/venue size for each class.
• Virtual options are available for some classes.
• Vaccination is required for all in-person classes (defined as two weeks after the second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after the first dose in a single-dose vaccine). Proof of vaccination status will not be required as we have faith in the integrity of our congregants.
• Masks are required for all participants while inside the building, and are optional while outside.
• Social distancing is strongly recommended.

 
Religious School (Including Monday Night Teen Programs) and Youth Group Gatherings

• Registration is required.
• Capacity limits are based on the room/venue size for each class.
• In-person and virtual options are available.
• Masks are required for all participants while inside the building, and are optional while outside.
• Class seating is social distanced.

 
Adult Group Gatherings

• Vaccination is required for all in-person gatherings of adult study groups, committees, etc. Proof of vaccination status will not be required.
• Masks are required for all participants while inside the building, and are optional while outside.
• Social distancing is strongly recommended.      

 
Schmoozing and Dining

• While we have pleasant Fall weather, Shabbat Pre-Negs, First Friday Dinners and other Congregational schmoozing and dining events will be offered outside. 
• Food will be either individually wrapped or plated and served by a vaccinated and masked volunteer.
• Masks are optional while outside.
• All participants, regardless of vaccine status, should maintain reasonable social distance from those not within their immediate family.
• ​​​​​​​At this time, food service at Congregational events will only be available outside. If weather prevents food service, grab-and-go food will be provided whenever possible.

 
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
 
Click HERE for the CCAR Resolution on COVID-19 Vaccination.