March 9, 2022
From the beginning of the pandemic, Beth Emet has tried to protect life and promote the health of the community, while continuing to provide the education, worship, life cycle, social action, and other community services we all value. We enter this next phase of the pandemic with optimism as we start planning more in-person activities.
The CDC and government agencies last week removed the requirements for mandatory indoor masking in our area. Individual institutions (including Beth Emet) are still permitted to require masks in their building, and the City of Evanston still recommends indoor masking for large indoor events.
We have heard from many within our congregation who are eager to return to pre-pandemic congregational life, and others within our community who only feel comfortable coming to the building if we continue to adhere to our safety health protocols. As we move into this next phase, Beth Emet will continue to require members and guests ages 2 and up to wear a properly fitting mask covering their mouth and nose at all times when in the building, at least through the end of March. We believe this is the best way to proceed to ensure as much of our community as possible feels comfortable returning to in-person worship, life-cycle events over the next few weeks. Additional information regarding our COVID-19 protocols is included below.
We appreciate your continued patience as we navigate the best ways to return to normal activities, while reducing risk and honoring our responsibility to those who are vulnerable. Knowing that the Covid landscape will continue to change and shift over time, we will continue to monitor the recommendations of our public health officials, cases within our community, and the views and needs of our members.
We hope you will come to the synagogue in person in the near future – especially as we look towards Purim festivities including the Purim Carnival on March 12 and 13, the Purim Spiel on March 16 and the Young Family Purim Fun on March 20. Check EmetMail for more details!
L’Shalom,
Covid Task Force
Barry Miller, Safety & Security Task Force Chair Karen Isaacson Bekki Kaplan Ed Linn, MD Geoff Prass Lee Weintraub Brad White
These vaccination requirements are designed to protect the community and our staff.
Enter vaccination and booster information for you and your family members through our member portal, MyBethEmet, by clicking this link.
Once logged in:
If you are unable to access the member portal, click on this link.
Note: You must complete one form per household member.
We continue to ask that anyone who is not feeling well (fever, sinus pain, cough, loss of taste and/or smell, stuffy nose, chills, fatigue, sore throat, or shortness of breath) not come into the synagogue when it is open. We continue to offer all our services and most programs online and encourage you to join us virtually if you are not well enough to come into the building. If you test positive for COVID-19 within 3 days of being in the building, please contact Geoff Prass so we may notify others who may have been exposed.
As we continue to navigate this very challenging time, we truly appreciate our community’s continued adherence to public health guidance, and your ongoing support for one another and the synagogue. Your courtesy, kindness, caring, and generosity has helped see many of our neighbors through this difficult period. We sincerely thank you for your continued patience, flexibility, and kindness towards one another as we continue to move forward together.
If you have additional questions or unique circumstances, please feel free to email them to gprass@bethemet.org. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to seeing you either in person or online soon.
Both Kabbalat Shabbat (Friday night) services and Kahal Shabbat (Saturday morning) services will continue to be in-person as well as livestreamed. You can find the links on our calendar. If you have not yet attended Shabbat services or submitted your vaccination information, please complete the registration form in advance or submit the information on MyBethEmet. At this time, we will not be having an Oneg prior to services or providing challah or grape juice/wine after services.
The number of guests that member families may have is likely to vary with the condition of the virus. All guests must be “fully vaccinated” (as defined above) and have completed the Shabbat Service Registration form. At present, no food will be served. Please contact Geoff Prass, Director of Operations for further information.
Member families may have up to 125 guests for services in the Sanctuary, and the building registration form must be completed in advance. For those who do not complete the form in advance, guests must show proof of being up-to-date with their vaccination for entrance.
Beit Sefer classes have returned to the building. Masks are required at all times, and proof of up-to-date vaccination must be submitted prior to coming to school. Please contact Danny at the office for more information and/or to complete the form. You may also supply vaccination information on MyBethEmet.
All Adult programs and classes will take place virtually until further notice.
Youth programs for grades 4-12 are in person where possible, and protocols must be adhered at all times, including submitting vaccination information and wearing of masks. No food will be served. For more information, contact Sam.
We know it’s hard for young children to participate virtually, and we strive to provide some opportunities to come together, depending on current conditions with the virus and the nature of the program. Children five and older must be fully vaccinated, and for children who are not yet eligible must remain in their family “pod” throughout the program and be socially distanced. Masks are required for children 2 and older and vaccination information must be submitted in advance via MyBethEmet or our online form.
For more information or questions, please contact Geoff Prass.
Karen Isaacson, President Bekki Harris Kaplan, Director of Congregational Engagement Dr. Ed Linn Barry Miller, Chair Safety and Security Task Force Geoff Prass, Director of Operations Lee Weintraub, Vice President and President-Elect Brad White
