Reopening Update
We are pleased that starting with our summer weekday evening minyan on June 22, and with our Shabbat morning service on June 26, we will be returning to in-person services. The reopening committee has also authorized the use of the Temple Aliyah building over the summer for life cycle events, as needed.
Effective June 22, those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and verbally confirm upon entering Temple Aliyah that they have been fully vaccinated may attend all Temple Aliyah services -- indoors and outdoors – without a mask and without distancing. Those who have not been fully vaccinated (or are unwilling to verify their vaccination status), including all children under 12, will be required to wear a mask properly covering their nose and mouth at all times while in the Temple Aliyah building, and will be required to maintain social distance at Temple Aliyah events, except for those that may be held outdoors. Of course, many of our fellow congregants who have been vaccinated may still choose to wear a mask and/or to socially distance due to medical conditions or personal preference, and are encouraged to do so.
By requiring anyone who is attending a Temple Aliyah service either to verify that they have been fully vaccinated or to wear a mask and observe social distancing, we believe we will be able to assure our community that Temple Aliyah is a safe environment and make it easier and more comfortable for people to return to the shul. For all events other than services during the summer, including funerals expected to involve a number of people from outside the Temple Aliyah community, all people in attendance will be required to remain masked.
Over the next few weeks, as COVID-19 infection rates continue, we hope, to fall, and as we get more comfortable with in-person events, we will review our options for returning to a modest kiddush after Shabbat services.
These policies will remain in effect unless the CDC or Massachusetts imposes more restrictive guidelines. In light of our experience and the changes in the burden of disease in the community, we will revisit these policies in the coming month, particularly for events to be held after the summer. We hope that by the High Holidays we will be able to have an even more normal shul experience.
Any group that would like to conduct an in-person event in the Temple Aliyah building, outdoors at Temple Aliyah, or sponsored by Temple Aliyah and held elsewhere, should continue to contact Executive Director Melissa Rudman or me.
We appreciate your patience and understanding over to the last 15 months as we have tried to achieve the right balance while keeping our community safe from the risks from COVID-19. We miss being together as a community and hope to see you in shul soon.
Peter Krupp
Chair, Reopening Committee
