UPDATE – SHABBAT SERVICES PROTOCOLS (Beth El, Vorhees, NJ)

As was shared in an email sent on June 11, the Board of Trustees voted at the meeting on Wednesday, June 9 on new recommendations of the Health & Safety Task Force. The following guidelines are now in effect as of this past Saturday, July 3.

  • Fully vaccinated individuals have the option to remove their face masks in the building when attending Shabbat services after showing proof of vaccination to the staff member or volunteer at sign-in. The office updates our master list of fully vaccinated members on a regular basis, so you should not have to show us proof of vaccination more than one time.
  • If you would like to have you or your family members added to our Fully Vaccinated master list, please do so in one of the following ways:
    • Upload an image/photo of your vaccination card, you may do so using this secure link: UPLOAD VACCINATION CARD. The image of the card you share will be deleted once it is recorded on our list.
    • Contact Shirley in the main office and arrange a time to stop by Beth El so that she can verify proof of being fully vaccinated and enter your name(s) onto our list.
    • Come for Daily Morning Minyan, Sunday through Friday, at 7:30am and bring your proof of vaccination with you, and it will be recorded on our list.
    • Join us for Shabbat on Friday nights or Saturday mornings and bring your proof of vaccination with you, and it will be recorded on our list.
    • If you have a meeting or appointment scheduled at Beth El for any reason, bring your proof of vaccination with you, and it will be recorded on our list.
  • As per the CDC: People are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 ≥2 weeks after they have received the second dose in a 2-dose series or ≥2 weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine.
  • Unvaccinated individuals and/or individuals that do not show their proof of vaccine are required to wear face masks at all times in the building.
  • The Sanctuary has 3 sections that are “mask optional” and 1 section that is “mask required”. The “mask optional” sections are reserved for attendees that have shown proof of being fully vaccinated. There is no requirement of social distancing. Families with adults that are fully vaccinated and have children that are not fully vaccinated may sit together, but the children are required to wear their masks properly the entire time. The “mask required” section is reserved for individuals that are not fully vaccinated and for others that are more comfortable wearing masks for the entire service with socially distanced seating.

As of this past Saturday, we also started offering a Kiddush luncheon following services. We have seating in our Garden Room available for fully vaccinated people. We have seating outside in our Courtyard for unvaccinated individuals and/or individuals that have not shown us their proof of vaccination. The buffets for the Kiddush are located inside our building in the Foyer. As stated above, masks are required inside of the building at all times for all unvaccinated individuals.

If you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms such as a fever, cough, loss of taste and/or smell or shortness of breath, or are simply not feeling well, please stay home and join our programming virtually. These guidelines are for the safety, health and well-being of all in our community.

We look forward to seeing you in shul!

Shabbat Shalom,
Josh Laster, Executive Director