Dear Congregant,
As you may know, while the pandemic is far from over, Governor Phil Murphy recently issued an Executive Order allowing religious gatherings of no more than twenty-five (25) persons where strict social distancing measures are enforced and all participants are outside and wearing masks. This allows a small window of opportunity to restart some minyanim, so long as there is strict adherence to the government rules and regulations as well as Vaad HaRabbanim guidelines. Our primary objective is and will always be the safety of our members, friends and neighbors and we need to be extremely vigilant to ensure that our gathering in minyanim will not lead, chas v’shalom, to any compromise whatsoever in the health or safety of our community members. As such, our approach must be very careful and introduced in phases, so as to be able to properly test whether our guidelines and procedures are effective and to assess the congregation’s adherence to our strict expectations. We have also notified the Highland Park Chief of Police to ensure that we have their approval to gather.
Starting Sunday evening May 31 (after Shavuot), we will begin Phase 1 of our reopening by forming an outdoor minyan of no more than fifteen people for Mincha/Arvit in the Sukkah area.
The floor has been marked with yellow circles indicating where each person should stand in order to maintain eight (8) feet of distance between people, as recommended and enforced by all synagogues under the Vaad.
You must enter the Sukkah area from the driveway (West) side entrance, and move toward the forwardmost available yellow circle (nearest to the East wall). Taking the most forward position available will allow later arrivals to enter the area without passing within eight (8) feet of another person.
After tefilah, allow the person(s) closer to the exit to leave the area completely before advancing toward the gate to leave, to ensure proper distancing.
The current plan is to have a brief Mincha/Arvit at 7:30pm on Sunday through Thursday evening, and then assess our procedures and decide if we will continue for the following week(s).
ONLY THOSE WHO SIGN UP IN ADVANCE MAY ATTEND, NO EXCEPTIONS. If all the slots are filled, you may not attend and you will need to register for another night. Please read this entire detailed letter carefully before proceeding to our online sign-up. If you do sign up for a minyan, please recognize this is a commitment and make sure to attend.
In order to participate in a minyan this week, you must register online here:
https://www.etzahaim.org/signup
We need everyone’s utmost cooperation. Please note the following rules and policies which will be strictly enforced:
At this point, minyanim are for MEN ONLY who are at least 13 years old. Men over the age of 65 are strongly discouraged from attending.
Each member of a household that registers (for example, father and son) must sign up separately.
No one may attend a minyan for which he is not pre-registered and if he does so he will be asked to leave. This will be strictly monitored and enforced to ensure the safety of our congregants in the limited space available.
People who are at high risk for COVID-19 including those with asthma, emphysema/COPD, diabetes, cancer, heart disease or immunosuppression may not attend. Anyone whose physician has determined he is vulnerable to COVID-19 infection based on age or any other factor may not attend.
People who feel ill may not attend. Anyone who had COVID-19 (or strongly suspected that they had COVID-19) may not attend until they count (3) days without symptoms plus an additional 14 days. Any person who had contact with someone who had COVID-19, may also not attend for a similar period.
Face masks which cover your mouth and nose must be worn the entire time that one is at minyan until one returns home or into their car.
Each participant must bring his own siddur. Siddurim will not be provided.
Chairs will not be provided and if one needs to sit they need to bring their own folding chair.
We ask that each minyan participant stand in a pre-designated, socially distant space, as marked on the floor of the Sukkah area.
No person will be allowed entrance into our shul building even for the purpose of using the sink or bathroom. The building doors will remain locked.
Social distancing at a minimum distance of eight (8) feet must be practiced at all times including prior to, during and after your attendance at minyan until you return home or into your car. All forms of socializing are strongly discouraged. We ask that people not congregate on synagogue grounds after tefilah. Absolutely no food or drink is permitted.
Minyanim will not meet in the rain. If it is raining, minyan is automatically cancelled.
Anyone who, after attending a minyan, discovers or suspects that he may have been exposed to or infected with COVID-19 must email health@etzahaim.org and/or notify Ray Morris immediately.
One member of each minyan will be designated as responsible to ensure that the social distancing guidelines are maintained. This individual will have the authority to ask anyone to leave or to terminate the minyan if there is non-compliance.
We understand that this initial plan might not allow for everyone who wishes to participate in a minyan to do so. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work our way through this unprecedented challenge.
Note that although the degree of risk to congregate in this limited manner is considered to have diminished to an acceptable level with proper social distancing, it cannot be stated that the risk has been eliminated entirely. As expressed by the Vaad HaRabbanim, no one should feel obligated to attend any of these minyanim, and anyone who does not feel comfortable doing so is encouraged to not r egister for them. In short, there is no chiyuv to attend.
If you have any questions regarding the procedures listed above or require assistance, please contact Ray Morris, Rabbi Hakakian, or a member of the shul re-opening committee.
FINALLY, PLEASE NOTE: By registering online for a minyan you will automatically accept the terms of the following waiver:
I understand and acknowledge that the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) is extremely contagious and that infection with COVID-19 can cause serious injury. Although Congregation Etz Ahaim (“CEA”) is implementing guidelines recommended by medical professionals and government agencies in order to reduce the likelihood of exposure, CEA cannot guarantee that I will not become infected with COVID-19 if I choose to attend one or more minyanim. By attending a minyan, I voluntarily assume the risk that I may be exposed to COVID-19 and that such exposure may result in infection. By signing up to attend one or more minyanim, I hereby release and hold harmless CEA, its employees, officers, directors, agents and representatives from all liability relating to any injury that may occur in connection with my attendance at a minyan. I understand and agree that this release includes any claims based on the actions, omissions or negligence of CEA, its employees, officers, directors, agents or representatives.
Ray Morris
Board of Trustees
Shul Re-opening Committee