Minyanim

Dear Members,

Effective immediately, the following are the updated policies regarding COVID-19 in our Shul:

1. Those who are fully vaccinated—as defined as two weeks post one’s final vaccine shot—will no longer be required to wear a mask while at Shul. However, those who would still like to wear a mask are more than welcome to. Those who are not yet fully vaccinated must continue to wear a mask covering both one’s mouth and nose when on Shul property, except while eating or drinking.

2. All weekday Minyanim, as well as Mincha and Kabbalas Shabbas on Friday and Ma’ariv on Motzei Shabbos, will be mask-optional. However, we ask that one seat remains between two people from different ‘bubbles’.

For Mincha on Shabbos, the left-side Women’ssection will be used as the Men’s mask-required section. Those who are not yet fully vaccinated must sit in this section with a mask. Others are welcome to sit in this section if they would like but must be masked. The Men’s section and the right-side Women’s section will be mask-optional, but we ask that one seat remains between two people from different ‘bubbles’.

Shacharis on Shabbos will be as follows:

• Main Sanctuary—Men’s Section: the first five (5) rows on the left side of the aisle will be mask-required sections, and those who are not yet fully vaccinated must sit in these sections with a mask. Others are welcome to sit in this section if they would like but must be masked.
• Main Sanctuary—Women’s Section: the first ten (10) rows of the left-side Women’s section will be mask-required sections, and those who are not yet fully vaccinated must sit in these sections with a mask. Others are welcome to sit in this section if they would like but must be masked.
• GBM—Men’s Section: the section behind the Bima will be a mask-required section, and those who are not yet fully vaccinated must sit in these sections with a mask. Others are welcome to sit in this section if they would like but must be masked.
• GBM—Women’s Section: the back section against the Mechitza will be a mask-required section, and those who are not yet fully vaccinated must sit in these sections with a mask. Others are welcome to sit in this section if they would like but must be masked.
• Social Hall: there will be a section in the back of both the Men’s and Women’s sections that are mask-required sections. Those who are not yet fully vaccinated must sit in these sections with a mask. Others are welcome to sit in this section if they would like but must be masked.

3. The use of Bimah dividers are no longer required in any of the Minyanim. However, the dividers will be available for use if one would like them to be used. If one is Laining or receiving an Aliyah and would like for the divider to be present, please speak to the Gabbaim, who will gladly set up the divider.

After the Ba’al Aliyah finishes his Aliyah, he can stay up on the Bima if he chooses. However, he may return to his seat if he feels more comfortable doing so. This rule will apply to the Gabbaim as well.

4. Children ages four (4) and older must wear a mask while inside the building. Outdoors on Shul property, children ages seven (7) and older must wear a mask. Children below these ages do not need to wear a mask at Shul.

5. Outdoor Kiddushes may take place at full capacity in accordance with state and city capacity requirements, while indoor Kiddushes may only take place at a percentage of that room’s capacity mandated by the state and city for indoor dining.

6. If someone tests positive for COVID-19, before returning to Shul, he or she must wait ten (10) days from either start of symptoms or his or her first positive COVID-19 test, whichever is sooner; must be fever-free for 24 hours; and his or her symptoms must be improving.

7. If one had known exposure, as defined by the CDC, to someone who tested positive for COVID-19, he or she must not return to Shul for seven (7) days and must monitor his or her symptoms during those seven days. He or she need not get a negative test in order to return to Shul but shall symptoms arise, he or she should not return to Shul.

However, if said individual has either tested positive to COVID-19 in the last 90 days or is fully vaccinated, he or she does not need to quarantine, but rather should monitor for symptoms and should not return to Shul shall symptoms arise.

With vaccines readily available around the city, we strongly encourage everyone to go and get vaccinated. Please contact the Shul office if you need help scheduling a vaccine appointment or for guidance on how and where to get an appointment. Those who choose not to get vaccinated will not be able to take advantage of the updated policies we have put in place.

We look forward to returning back to normal very soon, and encourage everyone to return to Shul in a safe matter. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us and we will address your matter with the utmost confidence and with full confidentiality.

Thank you for understanding,

Rabbi Ashie Schreier

Rabbi Leo Rubin

Jacob Herenstein, President

YIFH Medical Board