Synagogue Updates

In lieu of most of Ken's traditional check-in, we wanted to write an update about our Covid protocols.


First, a few important reminders:

Our challah program had a great first week. Don't forget to offer to bake or to receive. Both are a mitzvah and help to bring our community together.

Our membership packets have started to go out. If you have questions, please let us know. 

The Annual Meeting will be on Wednesday, June 16th in person and on zoom. We will have light refreshments in advance of the meeting and minyan will take place as a part of the meeting. 

This is the first time we have been able to write that we are having refreshments in over a year. This means that the vaccines are working and our areas Covid numbers have been going down. Our doctor panel met this past week, and we are updating our Covid protocols. As always, our goals are to keep our community safe and connected. 

Our new Covid protocols will depend heavily on who is in attendance and where the event is taking place. Outside events are considered far lower risk than indoor ones. Services or events that are primarily attended by adults that have been fully vaccinated will have fewer safety precautions than mixed generation events with children that have not yet been able to be vaccinated. To that end, here are some of our updated protocols:

Communal Food Programs:  

Our community thrives when it is able to come together to socialize. We have been missing these opportunities. Programs with food available will be scheduled to be outside, weather permitting. Pre-boxed food is encouraged as are drinks on individual tables. Fully vaccinated people are able to eat together outside. Those that are not fully vaccinated will be able to eat together in their family pods.  Sisterhood's closing dinner this Tuesday and our Breaking Bread Together program on Sunday are examples of these new protocols. We are pleased to share that we will have our first post Shabbat service kiddush on Saturday, June 19th. 

Shabbat Services and Public Events in the Sanctuary and Cherry Auditorium:                                

Speakers and service leaders that have been fully vaccinated are able to speak and daven without a mask on. We strongly encourage those in attendance to continue to wear masks and require those that are not vaccinated or able to maintain social distance to continue to wear masks. There is no longer a size limitation on events in the Sanctuary, however, we will continue to keep the Cherry open and available for seating to allow and encourage people to be socially distance.  When there is a Bar/Bat Mitzvah in the sanctuary, we continue to require all attendees to remain masked. 

Outdoor Programs:  

Vaccinated individuals are able to be together outdoors without masks on. At programs that allow for social distancing, those that are not yet vaccinated are able to be without masks in their family pod. TBH-BE encourages our entire community to wear masks as much as possible when there are children present. This is done to both protect our children who are not yet able to be vaccinated and to be a role model for them.  

While our Covid protocols are relaxing and the numbers of cases in our area have been going down, we are very cognizant that this situation can change. All of our policies are subject to change based on what the current situation is. We will have another email in the near future asking questions about programming and the High Holidays and we are very hopeful that we will be able to be together for the High Holidays this year.

All the best for a great week,

Joel and Ken