Covid-19

[Updated 3-24-22]

For centuries, synagogues have played a central role as places of holy gathering, learning, prayer and service. Our Sages teach there comes a time when Jewish community is confronted with sha’at had’chak, an hour of duress, when lives and safety are at risk and the kehillah must adjust accordingly. Traditionally, sha’at had’chak occurred when Jews, specifically, were threatened. But the moment in which we find ourselves is not limited to Jews or synagogues, nor even Americans or Israelis. The advent of COVID-19 has been a global crisis, and our faith demands of us that we stand now as citizens of the world.

Since March 2020, we have been meeting with our COVID-19 task force, made up of medical and public health professionals from our congregation, to develop and periodically review policies to ensure that we can maintain our essential functions in a safe and responsible manner. This task force will convene as needed to make necessary adjustments to our policies in response to current developments of the pandemic and the latest advice from public health organizations.

At this time, the following protocols are in place:

• We have resumed holding in-person Shabbat services in the synagogue.
• We will continue to make services available through live-streaming.
• While we will be mask optional, please respect fellow Beth Am members who prefer masking and distance yourself accordingly.
• If age-eligible, you must be fully vaccinated while in the building.
• If you choose to wear a mask, any type is acceptable (high-filtration masks remain the best option and will be available at Beth Am).
• Please be respectful and practice social distance protocols as needed.
• If you are not feeling well, or you live with someone who has tested positive for COVID, please do not come to Beth Am, until you are tested and know you are not contagious.

If you test positive for COVID, please let Alex Pomerantz know so we can do appropriate contact tracing. We can keep your identity anonymous if you wish.