Reopening Update and Plans for the Summer
May 27, 2021
Dear Congregation,
Soon we will all be back together! We are very excited to hear the updated CDC and Commonwealth of Massachusetts guidelines regarding COVID.
Keeping congregant and staff safety as our number one priority, the Reopening Work Group has the following to share on plans to come back together in person.
- HEPA filters have been installed in administration, clergy and educators’ offices in anticipation of a full staff/clergy return to the building on June 15th.
- A 20’ x 20’ tent is being set up in the parking lot. Groups will be able to book the tent for meetings and social activities. Guidelines for booking and using this space will be shared shortly including guidance on having food available. No services are planned for outdoor space. We are unable to make those multi-access.
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The Temple Isaiah Religious School is planning for in-person learning this fall! Of course we will have some accommodations to ensure the safety of all our students, and are monitoring state and local guidelines to help us define our protocols. Families with school-aged children will be receiving communications from Rabbi Hertz.
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B’nai Mitzvah families - B’nai Mitzvah families will return to the sanctuary at the end of August.
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Our target date for opening the building for in-person services is Friday, July 2. That presumes that everything needed to hold mult-access services--in person, streaming and zoom--is operational, and that planned work to improve air quality in the sanctuary is complete. We will ask for pre-registration to judge how to position chairs in the sanctuary and to enable contact tracing should that become necessary. Our practice of requiring masks in the building will continue for the time being. Arrangements will be made for those who wish to maintain social distancing at services.
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High Holidays - We are, at this time, optimistic that we will be able to hold high holiday services in the building, with at least some of us present in person. Like Shabbat services, that presumes that everything needed to hold mult-access services is operational, and that planned work to improve air quality in the sanctuary is complete.
Coming together in person is getting close! Thank you for your support and patience as we navigate new territory.
Stay safe!
Paula Slotkin
Reopening Working Group
