News

Dear Synagogue Emanu-El Friends:

Thanksgiving has just passed—first and foremost, we wish for you a safe and warm holiday season, with gratitude at the center of your celebration. We are certainly grateful for your continued connection with and support of our Synagogue.

We also want to update you on our COVID-19 protocols and plans once Thanksgiving is over. Since August we have carefully and slowly increased activity at the Synagogue, with a focus on strong protocols to avoid the spread of COVID. Staff and congregants have followed guidelines for social distancing and mask-wearing. Thus far, we feel fortunate to have been successful. However, on the advice of our Re-opening Task Force, we will be taking greater precautions after Thanksgiving. We will reduce numbers and limit building access after the holiday, when there will be the potential for a spike in COVID exposure because of family gatherings. Below are the key components of this plan:

• Beginning Thanksgiving weekend (Friday, November 27^th), the synagogue building will be closed to the public except for Religious Services (Tuesday Minyan, Friday Night Kabbalat Shabbat, and Shabbat Morning Services) with protocols in place. We will maintain this until Sunday, December 6^th.
• During the week after Thanksgiving individual appointments may be made with staff in advance if needed.
• Participation in Services during this time will be on a limited basis via our existing sign-up system.
• Public access will not be allowed into the building at any other times during the week.
• The Synagogue Staff will continue to work Monday-Friday following all safety protocols, with the building closed to the general public.
• Outdoor Activities will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Given the unpredictable nature of COVID, as well as expected travel around January 1, we are planning similar measures after the New Year.

Please help us keep Emanu-El safe by following all guidelines posted on the sign up page, taking extra precautions over the holidays.

We are pleased to share that over Chanukah we will have tents erected for several outdoor programs, including our Drop-By Chanukah Fair. While there may not be a perfect choice under the circumstances, our goal is to mitigate the risk of spreading the virus while permitting carefully planned programs to go forward with limited attendance. Livestreaming of services and virtual educational programs will continue, and we hope you will find ways to engage with our Synagogue Emanu-El community. 

We remain grateful to the members of our Re-Opening Task Force for regular feedback, and to all of you for your support and cooperation. Please feel to contact any one of us if you have questions.

Warm Holiday Regards,

Craig Browdy                                     Rabbi Evan Ravski

Al Hawkins                                         Bob Greenberg