Important High Holiday Information

Editor’s note: This message was originally emailed to the congregation on August 9th.

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When I wrote to you in mid-July about our plans for the High Holidays, I noted that we would continue to monitor the status of COVID-19 and reevaluate as necessary in order to ensure that our plans considered the safety of our community.  While we are excited to offer a variety of in person options, based on the recent increase in infections in our area and updated information on the spread of the virus, the Board of Trustees has implemented several policy changes.

We will have both indoor and outdoor options as well as streaming. Indoor services will have a further reduced capacity than originally anticipated.

RSVP Required, Opens Aug 16
Sign up will open online at noon on Monday, August 16 and you must sign up for the specific services you plan to attend. Visit Shomrei.org/holidays for signup. Due to limited capacity the sign up  system will close automatically when full capacity is reached for a service (135 in Social Hall and 150 in the Tent).  If you need assistance in registering for services or do not have online access, please call the Synagogue office at (973) 746-5031 for assistance. If you plan to watch the livestream and would like to pick up a Machzor (prayer book), please let us know.

Indoor Services (Social Hall) COVID Safety Measures

  • RSVP required
  • Masks worn at all times
  • Only vaccinated people may attend (see “Proof of Vaccination” on reverse)

Outdoor Services (Tent Behind Red Cross Building) COVID Safety Measures

  • RSVP required
  • Masks worn at all times
  • Only vaccinated people or those who have negative PCR test may attend (see “Proof of Vaccination/Testing” on reverse)

Proof of Vaccination
You must present your valid vaccine card or phone photo of the same at the door each time you enter (bring to every service you attend) indicating full vaccination completed at least two weeks prior to the service you are attending.

Proof of PCR Testing
Bring proof of the official PCR test indicating a negative result.

There will be no exceptions to COVID Safety and Proof of Vaccination / Testing protocols.

We understand that there are members who are either not yet eligible for vaccination or are not able to get a vaccination because of a health condition.  As noted above, a negative PCR test will be accepted in those cases for outdoor attendance. Only fully vaccinated people can attend indoors.

Services We Are Planning

  • All indoor services will be livestreamed.  There will be no digital access for outdoor services.

  • Erev Rosh Hashanah – a service in the Social Hall only.

  • Rosh Hashanah Day 1 and Day 2, Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur services will be held in both the Social Hall and the Tent that will be located in the former Red Cross parking lot.  Both services will contain the same traditional elements with the outdoor service incorporating family participation to ensure inclusion of unvaccinated children.

  • Tot Yom Tov will take place in the tent on both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

  • Teen Discussion will take place on the Shomrei Lawn in the Sukkah area

  • Yizkor will take place in both the Social Hall and the Tent.  There will also be an additional Yizkor service in the afternoon in the tent.

A detailed schedule can be found at http://shomrei.org/schedule

We appreciate your cooperation and your commitment to the safety of our sacred Shomrei community.

We will continue to monitor any safety protocols and consult our Medical Advisory Group over the next several weeks.  We will communicate any changes as necessary.

All of us look forward to celebrating in our many ways at the High Holy Days.

L’Shana Tovah

Miriam Haimes
President, Congregation Shomrei Emunah

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