COVID-19 Policy

Update 11-2025/ Fall 5786

Covid-19 virus levels remain moderate to high in Massachusetts wastewater measurements. That means that the virus continues to circulate and has become “endemic”. The virus is always present in our population, with rising and falling case levels, caused by the emergence of new virus variants and other factors. Fortunately, rates of serious illness and death have been low recently due to protection from past infection and immunization. The elderly and immunocompromised remain at highest risk.

One of the highest Jewish values is the preservation of life. Throughout the COVID pandemic, we have prioritized pikuach nefesh (preservation of human life) in deciding when and how we gather. At BI, wearing a mask is optional, with a mask-required section available in the sanctuary. We are responsible for each other. if you are not feeling well,  or have an acute cough illness present for less than 7-10 days (even if it is "just a cold/allergies"),  please DO NOT COME to services,   but join us on Zoom.  If you were diagnosed with Covid recently, do not return to services until 10 days have elapsed since diagnosis AND you are feeling well again.

What can you do to protect yourself against COVID? Most important is getting immunized with the latest Covid-19 immunization, especially if you are 65 years of age or older, OR have risk factors for more serious disease. If you haven't gotten a booster in the last  6 months to a year, you are NOT fully protected. COVID-19 immunizations ALSO help protect your family, friends, and our BI community by reducing the likelihood that you will spread infection. The vaccine is available in local pharmacies without a prescription and is covered by most insurance plans.

If you do get COVID and are over age 50, or have other risk factors for serious disease, call your doctor to discuss a prescription for Paxlovid, a drug that reduces the risk of dying by more than 80%, and also reduces the risk of getting long COVID! 

On behalf of our BI medical advisory group. wishing all of you a healthy, happy 5786.

Jeremy Golding, MD, FAAFP

Professor of Family Medicine and Community Health

UMass Chan Medical School

-->At BI for the High Holidays: we will remain mask-optional but we recommend strongly considering wearing a mask during services if you have risk factors for more serious illness, or have been potentially exposed to Covid-19 infection (as in recent travel in planes, trains, or buses). Although we will do our best to space seating and to provide good ventilation, there are simply many more people in the sanctuary on the holidays than there are on a regular Shabbat, and this increases risk of infection. Singing aerosolizes virus, but a mask protects you and others. We will again offer a mask-required section, for those who wish to sit with others wearing masks.  We will not be requiring proof of immunization, but as noted above, immunization protects yourself and others. 

Finally, if you are not feeling well,  or have an acute cough illness present for less than 7-10 days (even if it is "just a cold/allergies"),  please DO NOT COME to services. Even a negative rapid test does not rule out infection if you have symptoms! If you have had a known COVID exposure in the week before you plan to attend, please test with a rapid test before you come, and if you test negative, you may come but you should wear a mask. Of course, if you test positive, don't come, but do call your doctor for guidance. 

To summarize:

• Masks are not required but we welcome those choosing to wear them to protect themselves and others.
• There will be a mask-required seating area in the sanctuary.
• We strongly recommend getting the latest booster immunization against COVID-19, but immunization proof is not required.
• If you do not feel well (cold symptoms, acute cough, or fever), DO NOT COME to services, but join us online on Zoom.  A negative Covid test is NOT enough to protect others. 

On behalf of our BI medical advisory group. wishing all of you a healthy, happy High Holiday period and New Year 5785!

Dr. Jeremy Golding, ABFM, FAAFP BI Medical Adviser

Rabbi Aviva Fellman

Greg Weiner, PhD President

Tovah Bleakney, Executive Director 

For More Information and Updates . . .

Information about services and programs is shared via emails, social media, and the BI website. Details for Zoom meetings are available in member emails or via the member login on the BI website. For more information, please call the BI Office, (508) 756-6204, between 9:00 and 3:00, Monday through Friday.

If you need to deliver something in hard copy to the synagogue (checks, documents, etc), please contact the BI Office for instructions.

Feel free to reach out to the Rabbi or the office if you would like a call, text, video chat, or email. In addition, if you are diagnosed with COVID-19, please inform Rabbi Fellman, rabbi@bethisraelworc.org, so that we can support you. If you are not feeling well, let us know. If you are feeling isolated, please reach out. We are physically separated but remain a caring, sacred community.