Dear Shir Chadash Community,
As you likely know, the greater New Orleans area is currently experiencing a significant increase in COVID cases due to the Delta variant. The Health Committee has been monitoring these developments very closely.
Throughout the pandemic, we have been committed to safeguarding the health and safety of our congregants and staff. Our current understanding of this disease is that there are three primary actions we can take to minimize our risk of infection: masking, distancing, and vaccinating. Thus, these have been our main areas of focus.
In accordance with Mayor Cantrell's announcement of an indoors mask mandate for Orleans Parish on Friday, July 30th, we also transitioned to a mask requirement. In addition, in an effort to keep everyone masked while indoors, we will be temporarily suspending the provision of food and drink (i.e. Shabbat kiddush lunch and Men’s Club breakfast). To accommodate the need for distancing, we will be returning to some of our former practices (e.g. taking aliyot by the ark), and we ask that you refrain from kissing or touching the Torah. Finally, if you are not yet vaccinated, we strongly urge you to please do so as soon as possible.
Additional safety measures will be discussed with the Board at its monthly meeting on Monday, August 9th. I will send out another update shortly thereafter.
Stay well,
Julie Finger, MD
Chair, Health Committee
