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. Our Medical Advisory Group reviews the data and trends. Our policies are informed by these reviews.
Update - 8/16/2023:
Our medical advisory group has met to discuss COVID safety at Beth Israel during our High Holiday services. Please see below for a summary of our plans.
COVID-19 is no longer a "pandemic" - it is endemic worldwide, meaning that the virus is always present in the population, with rising and falling case levels, caused by the emergence of new virus variants and other factors. So - we all need to learn to live with this virus because it is not going away anytime soon. Fortunately, here in the US we are seeing far fewer deaths and serious illnesses than earlier. Experts believe this is because of the combination of immunity from immunization, and immunity acquired from infection with past strains of the virus. Nonetheless, COVID-19 remains in the top 10 leading causes of death in the US. Long COVID, a debilitating illness with persisting weakness and other serious symptoms has also become less common with immunization, but remains a concern. As I write this (mid-August), there has been a very significant increase in COVID-19 cases in MA and nationally over the past weeks, as well as a 15% increase in hospitalizations for COVID-19, and a 10% increase in deaths compared to the low-point in July.
What can you do to protect yourself against COVID, especially now that cases are again rising? Most important is immunization. COVID-19 immunizations are SAFE and very effective at reducing your own risk of serious illness and death, BUT they ALSO help protect your family, friends, and our BI community by reducing the likelihood that you will spread infection. We all must help each other. A new booster vaccine offering additional protection against the currently circulating Omicron strains will be released this fall. Get it when it becomes available, and if you have not had at least 3 COVID vaccines, get one NOW. If you do get COVID and are over age 50, or have other risk factors for serious disease, call your doctor to get 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. Wearing a well-fitting mask (N-95/KN-95 or KF-94) when you are in crowded spaces like public transportation again seems prudent, especially when infections are rising.
At BI for the high holidays, we will remain mask-optional but we strongly recommend wearing a mask during services to protect yourself and others. Although we will do our best to space seating and 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. Please DO make sure your immunizations are up-to-date. We will not be requiring proof of immunization this year, but we very strongly recommend immunization against COVID-19. Finally, if you are not feeling well, 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 must wear a mask. Of course, if you test positive, don't come, but do call your doctor for guidance.
To summarize:
- We strongly recommend wearing a mask during services, but masks are not required.
- There will be a mask-required seating area in the sanctuary
- We strongly recommend immunization against COVID-19, but immunization proof is not required.
- If you do not feel well (cold symptoms or fever), DO NOT COME to services!
On behalf of our BI medical advisory group. wishing all of you a healthy, happy High Holiday period and New Year 5784!
Dr. Jeremy Golding, BI Medical Adviser
Rabbi Aviva Fellman
Greg Weiner, President
For More Information and Updates . . .
Information about services and programs is shared via emails, social media, and the BI website, as well as our monthly newsletter, BI@Home. 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.
