Home

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Friends

As you all know, there has been a recent significant uptick in the COVID rates in our community, and we are updating our COVID policies in an attempt to keep our community safe. All changes are noted in bold:

• Only those who are fully vaccinated are allowed to daven indoors. Fully vaccinated now means 2 weeks after a booster dose for those who are eligible (6 months past their second shot for mRNA vaccines and 2 months past a J&J vaccine). The deck will be available for those who are not vaccinated or who are uncomfortable davening indoors.
  Please note that those on the deck can participate fully in davening, including serving as Chazan and receiving aliyot.
• All participants in our davening – whether indoors or outdoors – must wear masks at all times. We strongly recommend that people upgrade to N95/KN95 masks (https://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-Aura-Particulate-Respirator-N95-Foldable-10-Pack-9205P-10-DC/316909322). Individuals who are 6 months past their second dose but not eligible for a booster (currently 12-15 year olds) must wear an N95/KN95 mask. A limited number of N95/KN95 masks will be available at shul. Those outdoors must maintain social distancing.
• If anyone has come in direct contact with someone who is COVID-positive, they may not attend shul. A non-immunized person may not attend shul for 10 days, and must have a negative COVID test (rapid antigen or PCR). A fully vaccinated individual may return to shul after 5 days if they test negative for COVID.
• We are requesting that anyone who has a positive COVID test please notify the Rabbi (rabbikap@netivotshalom.net) so that we can monitor the effectiveness of our mitigation procedures and ensure the safety of our community.
• No one who is sick may attend shul, even if their illness is not due to COVID. Those who suffer from allergies may attend if their symptoms are due to allergies.
• Davening will be condensed at the discretion of the Rabbi depending on outdoor conditions.  This may include skipping over non-essential tefilot, less singing, shortened divrei Torah and heicha kedushah for Musaf.  We will also more rigorously enforce our social distancing requirements, especially during leining.
• People may use the shul’s communal Siddurim, Chumashim and Talitot as evidence shows that there is minimal risk of spread of disease through surface contact. Those who would prefer are welcome to use their own.
• Those davening on the deck may use their own outdoor chairs or use a chair from the shul. All shul chairs must be returned inside at the conclusion of davening.
• We will continue to hold groups indoors. Per CDC guidelines, children 2 years and older are expected to wear masks. Social distancing will be maintained during children’s groups. Please note that Ms. Annette is fully vaccinated.
• We will continue to offer kiddush after davening in the following manner:
  a.  All food must be eaten outside. Those who are comfortable may   socialize on the deck and backyard while maintaining proper distance. Those who prefer may take the kiddush to go.
  b.  All food must be pre-packaged and individually wrapped
  c.  The Rabbi will recite one communal kiddush and drink wine/grape juice from a disposable cup.
  d. In the event of rain, there will be no kiddush.
• We will continue to daven Ma’ariv at the conclusion of Shabbos and learn together in between Mincha and Ma’ariv.  We encourage people to spread out through the entire sanctuary, especially during non-davening times when separate seating is not required.

 
In addition to the guidelines outlined above, the board has invested in HEPA air purifiers for the main sanctuary, capable of meeting the CDC guidelines of 4-6 air changes per hour, and MERV 14 rated filters for our existing HVAC system. All doors and windows in the sanctuary will remain open during davening to allow those outdoors to participate and to improve air flow.