COVID POLICY (amended 8/22) Consistent with the latest CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID, Temple Israel will be making some changes to our policy. It takes into consideration that with vaccination you remain well protected. Streaming of services will remain available for those not comfortable attending.
INDOOR SERVICES
- All participants must be masked regardless of vaccination status.
- Masks worn must be in accordance with CDC recommendations. Click here to read more.
- Those leading services or speaking from the bima in the main sanctuary may be unmasked while doing so as they are sufficiently distant from the pews
- Social distancing is encouraged but we will not be blocking off or assigning seats for services. There is plenty of space.
OUTDOOR SERVICES & PROGRAMMING
EATING INDOORS
- You may unmask while eating/drinking
- Social distancing is at the discretion of the individual
- You cannot eat/drink indoors if you are unvaccinated
If you are currently eligible to be vaccinated (12+ years old), but remain UNVACCINATED you should know:
- There are NO medical conditions that exempt you from vaccination. Click here to read more,
- The FDA is poised to grant full approval to the vaccines. Hundreds of millions of people in the US have received them and they are overwhelmingly safe – the risks of a COVID infection are much greater in comparison. “Long” COVID and other neurological ailments are being connected to infections. These are important considerations when balancing concerns with serious side-effects from the vaccine which are very rare.
- The vaccines are effective. That should be understood to mean you are highly unlikely to end up in the hospital and die – not whether you will get infected. To keep it that way though you need to get vaccinated to reduce the risk of dangerous variants to come. The majority of those hospitalized currently are unvaccinated.
- Recommendations for booster-shots do not mean the vaccines don’t work. Long-term immunity with vaccination often requires multiple doses.
- Trust medical professionals to keep you healthy when we say you should get vaccinated. We are in a chronic unremitting public health emergency and health systems across the country are being overwhelmed with the latest surge. Despite this, 1/3 of those eligible remain unvaccinated. But more and more people who are recognizing this are starting to get the jab now!
- Vaccination is the only way we are going to get back to normal. How long do you want to wear a mask??
- It is a mitzvah to get vaccinated! We are obligated to under Jewish law. “Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor.” (Leviticus 19:16). Click here to read more.
The need for this policy change and its duration will be continually reevaluated and depend on the level of COVID in the community. Please be respectful of this policy so that we can all feel comfortable socializing and worshipping together.