Congregational Updates Regarding COVID-19

Updated Protocols for Gathering

Dear Beth Ahabah Family: 
 
As we approach the secular New Year, we hope you are able to make plans which keep you and your families safe and healthy.

The RIPE (Return to In-Person Events) Committee met recently to discuss the emerging Omicron variant of COVID-19, which we have been following very closely. The virus is spreading rapidly, and with infections increasing and projected to continue upward, we present the health and safety protocols below as temporary measures based on the most current medical advice until we have more information from the spread of the Omicron variant. We appreciate your patience as we gather more data to make decisions that affect the health and safety of our congregational family.
 
Shabbat Services, Sanctuary Programs and Life Cycle Services while in Sanctuary (updated)
As a temporary measure, the following protocols are now required to attend in-person services and Sanctuary programs. We will continue to livestream all Shabbat and congregational Sanctuary programming as we have been.

• Vaccination and a booster are required for all congregants and guests. This means attendees who are 6+ months after completing their 2-shot COVID vaccine regimen, or 2+ months after completing their 1-shot COVID vaccine regimen, need a booster shot to attend.  (updated)

• Proper masks, meaning 3-ply surgical masks, KN95 masks, or N95 masks, are now required for all participants while inside the building. (updated) (We have surgical masks available for use upon entry for those who need one.)

• Social distancing is strongly recommended for all individuals.  
   

Adult Small Groups, Beit Midrash, and Education Programs (updated)
To attend small group gatherings – including Beit Midrash classes, Women of Beth Ahabah, Brotherhood, and Board/Committee meetings – inside the Beth Ahabah campus, the following measures are currently required: 

• Vaccination and a booster are required for all congregants and guests. This means attendees who are 6+ months after completing their 2-shot COVID vaccine regimen, or 2+ months after completing their 1-shot COVID vaccine regimen, need a booster shot to attend.   (updated)
• Proper masks, meaning 3-ply surgical masks, KN95 masks, or N95 masks, are now required for all participants while inside the building. (updated) (We have surgical masks available for use upon entry for those who need one.)
• Social distancing is strongly recommended. 
• Registration is required for in-person attendance. 
• Virtual options are available for some classes.
• In-person capacity limits are based on the room/venue size for each class to allow for social distancing.
   

We will strive to offer these gatherings in a hybrid style (both in-person and via Zoom) to accommodate everyone’s preferences. 

Religious School (Including Monday Night Teen Programs) and Youth Group Gatherings (updated)
We will continue to follow the protocols of the Richmond and Henrico Public Schools, as well as the Virginia Department of Health.

• Registration is required.
• Capacity limits are based on the room/venue size for each class to allow for social distancing.
• In-person and virtual options are available.
• Proper Masks are required for all participants (teachers, students, parents) while inside the building, and are optional while outside. Surgical, N95, or KN95 masks are now required for all Religious School students, parents, and staff. Both adult and child-size surgical masks will be available at the front entrance for those who need one.)
• Class seating is social distanced.
   

Due to the current uncertainty of the Omicron variant, students currently enrolled in the virtual options for Religious School and Teen Monday night programming will continue to have that option at least until the end of January. (updated)

Food Service (updated)

• Shabbat Pre-Negs/Onegs and Congregational food service are temporarily suspended until we have more information with which to make health and safety protocol determinations.  (updated)
• Small groups which require pre-registration such as Monday night Beit Midrash programming will continue to offer grab-and-go style food outside only, and with social distancing required.

Once again, thank you all for your continued diligence as we implement these interim measures that support our top priority – the safety of our congregational family. We hope these measures will not be necessary for long. We appreciate your understanding that the changing nature of this pandemic makes it hard to predict, and we will continue to communicate any changes of protocols as soon as possible. 

May the coming New Year bring us closer to a little more "normal," and until we get there, we hope to support each other as best we can. 

Best Wishes for a Joyous and Safe New Year!
 
Lee Katz, 1st Vice President, Chair of RIPE Committee
Julie Mullian, President of Board of Managers
Rabbi Scott Nagel
Cantor Sarah Beck-Berman
Heather Dinkin, Director of Congregational Operations
James Hensley, Facilities Manager