We wish you and your loved ones good health and a positive outlook as we live with joy and determination, each day. Like you, we are following the spread of the coronavirus with calm and measured concern.
We are monitoring the information of the Travis County Public Health Department and the Texas Department of Health Services in addition to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Effective immediately, we are implementing the following protocols:
- All over age 60 and any who might be vulnerable or at risk/health-compromised, please join for services us online.
- All who have travelled by air (international or domestic) or cruise ship, shall self-isolate for 2 weeks upon arriving in Austin before entering the building
- Provide hand sanitizer bottles/stations throughout our spaces
- Have pre-cut hallah for our Oneg and Kiddush Luncheons
- Encourage any of us who are feeling ill, to stay home
- Be sensitive to and supportive of those who hesitate to shake hands, hug, or kiss hello
- Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
- Tallitot and kippot will no longer be offered in the sanctuary and the chapel so we can continue to mitigate exposure to germs. You are highly encouraged to bring your own ritual items. We will have new kippot to hand out and for your to keep and take home.
- Bringing your own siddur (prayer book) is recommended.
- In our sanctuary, we are encouraging people to sit in all available spaces — including the balcony. We request that families leave a seat or two in between other friends.
- During services, we will limit the Torah procession/recession to the middle space in the sanctuary. This is to prevent crowding. We are also guided to point to the Torah and not to kiss it with a prayer book/tallit.
- In our Social Hall, we will have fewer seats at more tables — and we will be using the entire space of the Social Hall to maximize wellness.
- On Shabbat morning, our food will be individually wrapped and we will offer whole, peelable fruit to give us more opportunity to practice healthy habits. Of course, we recommend using hand sanitizer and frequently washing our hands after we pray, and before we eat.
- We have upgraded and expanded our zoom (virtual) capabilities. Adra Lustig, our Education Director, is bolstering our Religious School curriculum for our kids so it can be used on a virtual platform.
- We recommend that non-essential meetings move to zoom or another conferencing application.