Re-Opening Protocols and Information

Last updated: August 19, 2021

The re-opening committee, which includes congregational physicians, will continue to monitor conditions in our community, as well as guidance from government agencies. We have an extremely high level of vaccinated adults, although we are aware that children are not yet vaccinated, and we will be seeing non-Temple members and service people.

No doubt our procedures and guidelines will change as we learn more. We will do our best to provide an environment that is safe and welcoming. As always, we welcome your comments and questions.

It's been a long time since we have been able to pray and hug and sing and meet and learn in our beautiful building. We can be grateful for our members and staff who have sustained us and allowed us to reach this place. 

Access to the Temple

• The Temple is OPEN! (with new procedures)
• Access to the Temple will be controlled and pre-planned.
• Only one door will be used for access at any given time.
• There will be masks (both adult and child sized) and the Log Book by the Temple entrance. 
• The doors need to be locked when there is no greeter to welcome members and visitors.
• Anyone (including guests, workers and delivery people) who wants to enter the Temple needs to coordinate with the office and sign in the Log Book upon arrival.
• Access via the back door code must be limited to a few vaccinated individuals and controlled by Temple leadership.
• Every gathering will have a leader to take responsibility for the adherence to safety protocols. Every event should be added to the Temple calendar. (Call or email Jasmine)
• There needs to be a greeter (Jasmine, volunteer, meeting chair, Frank) for all gatherings, including small meetings.) They should be ready to greet 15 minutes before the meeting. See greeter script for how to welcome participants and guests.
• Services will be held upstairs, with adequate fresh air. We will continue to Zoom services and some events. 
  New protocols for school will be announced later in the summer.

Greeter responsibilities

• The greeter must ensure that all who enter read the posted health & safety protocols.
• The greeter must ensure everyone entering the building for their event signs the Log Book.
• The location of the socially distant section needs to be clearly visible to all attendees. 

Attendee responsibilities

• Everyone entering the building (including guests, workers, delivery individuals, etc) must sign in and, if not a Temple Member, record a contact phone number.
• Everyone entering the building must follow the appropriate protocols.

Script for Greeters

• Welcome to [event name]
• Please read the posted health and safety guidelines. Do you have any questions?
• Please sign the Log Book and if you are not a Temple member, please write your phone number in case we need to call you for contact tracing.
• Please wear your mask and maintain social distancing at all times when in the building.
• Please go directly to the sanctuary for services [or elsewhere for the event location]

Neighborhood Shabbat

• Neighborhood Shabbats are temple functions and all temple COVID protocols must be followed.
• The hosts are responsible for maintaining these COVID protocols.
• Hosts will monitor the weather and cancel the neighborhood Shabbat if the event cannot take place outdoors. Neighborhood Shabbats will not take place indoors.
• Attendees will remain outdoors except to be served food and to use the bathroom.
• Attendees can only enter the hosts’ home for these reasons if they are masked and maintain 6 feet of social distancing.
• Masks and gloves may be obtained from the Temple. Masks should be made available to attendees.
• Hosts will make hand sanitizer available in bathrooms.
• After the event, the host will provide a list of attendees to the Temple for contact tracing purposes.
• Food will be prepared by those who are fully vaccinated.
• The host will announce when the meal is served.
• Food will be served buffet style by servers.
• Servers will wear masks and gloves.
• Each attendee will pick up their own plate and silverware wrapped in a napkin. They will receive their food and proceed outside. 
• No one should participate in a neighborhood Shabbat if they have had close contact with a COVID-19 positive person in the previous two weeks, or if a physician or public health official has suggested that they quarantine.
• No one should attend who has any of the following symptoms:
  • Fever > 100 degrees or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sore throat
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Body aches
  • Runny nose or congestion
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • People who are at high risk should weigh the risks of participating.in the neighborhood Shabbat.