Important Update for In-Person Shabbat Services, December 17, 2021

Dear Community,

We are all watching with concern, especially here in New York City, as COVID-19 cases are increasing, and there is a renewed feeling of uncertainty as to what this all means.

At BJ, we have always taken the more cautious approach, following the guidance of our public health officials and our Covid-19 Re-Entry Task Force, exceeding it when necessary for the utmost safety of our community.

This Shabbat, our Sanctuary is still open for those who have already registered, but we wish for those who are planning to join in person to know the following:

• We will be limiting capacity below the initial availability for this Shabbat. For those who have registered, please await confirmation from our office on your registration status.
• We will enforce social distancing, which may require some sitting in the balcony instead of the main level or in the area you reserved upon registering.
• Given that, we will not be able to accommodate walk-ins who have not pre-registered.
• The early childhood family service and Kulanu will shift to virtual-only, both available on the Family Life and Learning Facebook page. Kulanu will take place at 10:30AM and early childhood will take place at 11:15AM and there will be no Virtual Shabbat Morning Family Service.
• Additionally, our mask policy has always required wearing a KN95, N95, or surgical mask, and we ask that for those coming to please wear one.

The good news is, as we all know, anyone can participate in Shabbat services virtually at BJ.org/live or on Zoom for members. We are better equipped now for any sudden shifts far more than we were in March 2020 when it was all so new.

We will of course continue to evaluate and make sure that we can continue to pray safely together, or to be in person together when possible, as the situation continues to evolve.

We wish you a safe, peaceful Shabbat.

Rabbi Roly Matalon

Rabbi Felicia Sol

Colin A. Weil
Executive Director