Covenant of Shabbat

Congregation B'nai Yisrael is committed to providing a warm, welcoming, and safe space for all who worship with us. That is our promise to each and every one of you. We cannot do it alone. We need the active support of all who join with us in our sacred space to commit to the following protocols:

Attendance

• To ensure that we do not exceed capacity, congregants wishing to attend a Shabbat worship service will need to RSVP in advance by clicking here. 
  • RSVPs will be taken on a first come/first served basis
  • Members observing a Yahrzeit and those celebrating a B’nai Mitzvah will be contacted in advance by Executive Director Ava Saperstein
• B’nai Mitzvah groups will be limited to 18 people for Friday night services
• Congregants who do not register for services in advance will only be allowed to enter the Temple if there are open spots. This will be determined onsite and there is a chance that you may not be able to attend services if we are at capacity.
• Please do not sign up for or attend services if any of the following statements are true for you or a member of your household:
  • You have a fever, cough, shortness of breath or any other sign of acute respiratory illness, either currently, or in the past 14 days
  • You had contact with a suspected/known COVID-19 case within the last 14 days
  • You tested for COVID-19 with a nasal swab test (PCR) in the last 14 days and are awaiting results, or tested positive
  • You live in a communal living environment such as independent living, assisted living or skilled nursing facility, that has had a positive nasal swab test (PCR) for COVID-19 case in the past 14 days
  • You were discharged from a hospital or short term rehabilitation facility in the past 14 days

New Guidelines for Services

• Kippot and Tallit will not be provided, so you should bring you own if desired
• Prayer books will not be provided. Prayers will be posted on screens or provided as handouts.
• Only the Clergy will be permitted to sing or chant per New York State regulations
• Oneg receptions will be temporarily suspended
• Clergy will not offer handshakes, hugs, or kisses on the cheek and neither should our members (sorry)
• Only Clergy will engage with and handle the Torah scroll

Member & Guest Responsibilities

• Shabbat attendees must register at the front desk upon arrival at the Temple and use hand sanitizer provided
• Facemasks or cloth coverings over the nose and mouth are required at all times
• You must maintain a social distance of a minimum of 6 feet between your household and members of another household
• No singing: Only the Clergy may sing or chant during services
• If you attend a service and subsequently are diagnosed with COVID-19 (or exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19) you must contact the Temple Office immediately so that we may inform all other service attendees, shut down the Temple for 14 days and deeply sanitize the facility. Your identity will of course not be disclosed.