February 3, 2022 / 2 Adar 1 5782

Dear Mount Zion Community,

We wrote to you a month ago about pausing most in-person gatherings because of the tremendous surge in Covid cases due to the Omicron variant. We recognize how not-normal this whole situation is and how important it is to be together as a congregation and nevertheless, as we have articulated in past letters, we feel we are making the decisions that are right for the well-being of our community.

The situation continues to change rapidly. Although community spread of Covid-19 is still high in the Twin Cities, the Omicron wave appears to be declining rapidly. With continued attention to vaccination, masking, and physical distancing, we believe that we can safely resume in-person gatherings inside our building in the coming weeks. Assuming the current positive trends hold, we plan to resume gatherings on the following dates: 

• Friday night Shabbat services beginning February 11. As we have done for this past year, we will continue our live streaming and Zoom community connections.  
• Other in-person gatherings that previously were in-person may begin the week of February 13. 
• Religious School Grades 7-12 beginning Wednesday, February 23.
• Religious School Grades PreK-6 have been informed of the schedule for in-person instruction. This will begin on Sunday, March 6. 

We look forward to welcoming you back to the building. We ask all who are coming inside to have up-to-date vaccinations and wear upgraded masks (N95, KN95, KF94.) 

If you have any questions or comments, please be in touch. Thank you for your patience and support of each other and our community during this time.

L’shalom,



Michael Wall, President

Phil Goldman, Chair, Opening Task Force

Sue Summit, Religious School Director

Larry Solomon, Executive Director

Adam Stock Spilker, Rabbi 

The Opening Task Force members (with their expertise): Phil Goldman, Chair (legal, OSHA/industrial hygiene); Ian Ellis (corporate facilities manager); David Knapp (safety and security); Dr. Gary Kravitz (public health, infectious disease practitioner); Julie Ostrowsky (epidemiology); Joan Ostrove (inclusion and accessibility); Hannah Siegel (public health, New York City); Neil Segal (operations, Ames Center performance venue); Michael Wall (President), Larry Solomon, Sue Summit, and Rabbi Spilker

COVID-19 Safety Tips

For testing: find a site near you or order a free test to your home

What to do if you are sick or test positive

Support your mental well-being during this time