Health, Safety, Security Protocols

Effective March 1, 2022

Advance Registration:

1. Congregation B’nai Torah will continue to require members and non-members to register in advance of attending in-person services or events. A link and details for online registration is sent by email in advance of the service or event. Registration can also be found on our website. Our registration process calls for name of attendees, amount of seats required, and vaccination status. For those unable to register online, accommodations can be made by calling the office. 
    

Covid-19 Vaccination:

1. Congregation B’nai Torah requires any and all visitors ages 5 and up to be fully vaccinated in order to enter the building, and attend any function inside our facilities. An individual is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving a one-dose Covid-19 vaccine or two weeks after a second dose of a ‘two-shot’ Covid-19 vaccine
    
2. Congregation B’nai Torah requires any and all visitors ages 12 and up to be fully vaccinated AND BOOSTERED. Boosters of the Covid-19 vaccine are now available and recommended for ages 12 and up.
    
3. Children under the eligible age of vaccination are permitted to enter and participate in services, programs and events inside B’nai Torah, but are required to come from (be living with) a family where everyone in the immediate family who is eligible is fully vaccinated and practicing at-home health and safety measures. 
    
4. We strongly encourage all who are eligible to get vaccinated and boostered. If you are not vaccinated, for your personal safety and the safety of others, we encourage and invite you to attend meetings, services, and events through our online offerings.
    

Masks & Face Covering:

1. A medical-grade mask (fully covering nose and mouth) is required for everybody inside B’nai Torah. The expectation is that your mask will remain fully covering your nose and mouth for the duration of your stay inside BT.
    
2. Individuals may remove their mask only for extended participation on the Bimah. In this instance, please remove your mask prior to your participation, keep your mask in your hand or pocket (do not place it on a podium) and place your mask back immediately after your participation.
    
3. N95 and K95 masks are recommended. Cloth or loose fitted masks are discouraged. If you do not have an appropriate mask, B’nai Torah can provide based on our immediate supply.
    

Food and Beverage:

1. No eating, food or beverages are permitted inside the building.
    

Entry & Building Access:

1. Upon entry to Congregation B’nai Torah, we have a screening and entry protocol in place. This security, health and safety protocol includes asking for, and checking vaccination status (actual card or digital image), mask check, temperature check, hand sanitizing and providing a mask if needed.
    
2. In an effort to avoid gatherings, and crowding we are asking all visitors to please arrive and depart on time based upon the timing of the service or event.
    
3. If arriving early (in advance of a scheduled service) please do not linger in our entryway or visit other areas of the building (office, hallways, school classrooms, kitchens). Members and visitors are encouraged to take their seats, and remain in or near their seats inside the Sanctuary.
    

Greeting, Hugging and Handshaking:

1. While we are an affectionate and loving community, all congregants are kindly asked to refrain from hugging, handshakes, and engaging in close-contact conversation. This is of course difficult for us as we cherish our relationships, but this is hopefully a short-term practice we can all adhere to during this time.