Temple Emanuel News

Dear Friends,

Since we last adopted safety guidelines at Temple Emanuel on May 1st, the CDC and local authorities have offered new and less-restrictive guidance. With this new information in hand, and with a feeling of optimism, your Board of Trustees, the Re-opening Task Force, and the professional team have adopted modified guidelines to become effective on June 1st.

In drafting these new guidelines, we considered the improved COVID-19 conditions, both locally and nationally. However, we are also mindful of all those afflicted and all who are at risk, including our children who are not yet able to receive a vaccine.

As such, we have adopted the following safety guidelines, to be in effect until at least July 1st – or until new information is released:

• Social distancing is required for all indoor and outdoor experiences at Temple.
• Congregants who are not vaccinated, including children over the age of 3, are required to wear masks at all times on the Temple grounds and inside the building.
• Vaccinated congregants are required to wear masks inside the Temple building in all public spaces, with the following exceptions:
  • Vaccinated participants in the Saturday morning community service are allowed to remove their masks only when seated for worship.
  • Vaccinated clergy may remove their masks while leading indoor worship.
  • Vaccinated participants in adult education programming, including Torah Study, are allowed to remove their masks only when the seated for the program.
  • The clergy or members of the professional team, on a case-by-case basis, may allow vaccinated congregants to remove their masks at small indoor gatherings.
• All participants at larger outdoor events, such as Friday evening worship, Bar and Bat Mitzvah services, and Weddings are required to wear masks when they enter designated areas of worship. Vaccinated participants may remove their masks only when seated for worship.
• Vaccinated clergy may remove their masks while leading outdoor worship.
• “Sit down” food will not be served at most Temple events. In some circumstances, out of necessity, in programs such as those taking place in our Early Learning Center, Religious School, and Informal Education departments, food may be served at the discretion of program coordinators. In addition, there may be cases where “take away” food is provided.

We understand that our policies may be different than the guidelines for other religious institutions and for outdoor dining in restaurants and other public outdoor spaces. At Temple Emanuel, we strive to find the holiness and uniqueness in every situation and respond as best as we can. We have a special obligation to focus on the safety of all our members and guests.
 
Thank you for your patience, support, and understanding. This is a fluid situation. We promise that we will continue to adjust as we learn more and respond to the changes that occur daily. We are incredibly excited to (safely) see all of you at Temple.

L'Shalom (In peace...),

Rabbi Joseph Black
Steve Stark, Executive Director
Cantor Elizabeth Sacks
Danny Foster, President
Gary Wagner, Chair of the Re-opening Task Force