Wednesday, January 5, 2022 | 3 Sh'vat 5782
COVID-19 Update
Dear Friends,

We are writing to advise you of Beth Emet’s plans for the next few weeks, in response to the Omicron surge. Throughout the pandemic, our COVID-19 Task Force has met weekly to analyze current trends and the science regarding the virus. In reviewing the latest data, we have decided to once again adjust our practices.
Shabbat Services
In light of the current surge, this weekend’s Kabbalat Shabbat Services at 6:30 pm Friday, January 7, and Kahal Shabbat morning services at 9:30 am Saturday, January 8, will be held via Zoom. We will revisit this decision on a weekly basis, with a view towards resuming in-person services as soon as we believe it is prudent to do so.
Vaccination Requirements
  • We continue to require all who are eligible age 12 and older to be fully vaccinated if they plan on coming into the building for any reason. “Fully vaccinated” is now defined as two doses of Moderna or Pfizer, plus a booster (or one dose of J&J plus a booster).
  • We are now requiring those ages 5-11 to be fully vaccinated by February 1 before coming into the building. At this moment, fully vaccinated for children ages 5-11 requires two doses of Moderna or Pfizer.

These vaccination requirements are designed to protect the community and our staff and are consistent with the recent guidance from the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR).
Update Your Vaccination and/or Booster Information
Enter vaccination and booster information for you and your family members through our updated member portal by clicking this link.

Once logged in:
  • Go to "Individual Member Information" on the left sidebar
  • Choose the individual you want to provide vaccination information for
  • Click on "Contact Details" 
  • Scroll down to complete vaccination information

If you are unable to access the member portal, click on this link.

Note: You must complete one form per household member.
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Beit Sefer and Youth Programs
Beit Sefer classes will be remote on Zoom for the following days: January 9, 13, 16, and 20. You will receive additional information directly from Marci Dickman if you have a student in Beit Sefer. Youth programs will not be held in person during this period. The suspension of in-person youth classes and activities may be extended if circumstances warrant.
Masking
  • Beth Emet continues to require everyone ages 2 and up to wear a mask covering their mouth and nose at all times when in the building.
  • We strongly recommend everyone upgrade their masks to a multilayer mask (i.e. more than a cloth mask) that is tight-fitting and covers the nose and mouth such as a KN95 or N95 mask, or equivalent.
Physical Distance
  • We will continue to enforce social distancing for all programs and classes as well as worship services.
Food
  • We will not offer any food at Beth Emet events, including challah and wine/grape juice after Shabbat evening or morning services, until further notice.  
  • When Beit Sefer resumes in person, snacks will be consumed outside.
  • The Soup Kitchen will continue to provide to-go meals for our guests.
Health Request
  • We continue to ask that anyone who is not feeling well (fever, sinus pain, cough, loss of taste and/or smell, stuffy nose, chills, fatigue, sore throat, or shortness of breath) not come into the synagogue when it is open. We continue to offer all our services and most programs online, and encourage you to join us virtually if you are not well enough to come into the building.
  • If you test positive for COVID-19 (or start displaying symptoms that are later confirmed by a positive test) within 5 days of being in the building, please contact Geoff Prass so we may notify others who may have been exposed.
We are continually evaluating the guidance from CDC, URJ, CCAR, American Conference of Cantors, and the changing rules in the State of Illinois, Cook County, the city of Evanston and practices of local public schools. Judaism places primary importance on the value of Pikuach Nefesh – saving life. As such, our protocols are based on the value of protecting the safety of everyone who comes to Beth Emet. Please understand we have a responsibility to all our congregants and guests, as well as clergy and staff.

Patience, understanding, and flexibility are three middot (soul traits) that have guided Beth Emet in the planning and implementation of our COVID-19 safety protocols. We remain grateful to our community and our leadership as we have adhered to best practices and common-sense protocols that have allowed us to gather safely for worship, Beit Sefer, youth programs, and life cycle events.

If you have additional questions or unique circumstances, please feel free to email them to gprass@bethemet.org. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to seeing you either in person or online soon. Have a safe and healthy secular New Year.
L’Shalom,

Covid Task Force
Barry Miller, Safety & Security Task Force Chair
Karen Isaacson
Bekki Kaplan
Ed Linn, MD
Geoff Prass
Lee Weintraub
Brad White
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