Covid-19 Protocols
Our current operating plan for carrying on our communal life at BAI is presented below. This plan is based on the recommendations of our *BAI Covid-19 Protocols Task Force, which has been meeting periodically since 2020. The Task Force will continue to review and update our operating plan as vaccines become more widely available and as federal, state, and county guidelines change.
The decisions we make are consistent with our guiding Jewish Values:
- Pikuah nefesh – saving life. We will prioritize the safety of staff and congregants, and the safety of those most vulnerable to infection, as well as the general public health, in accordance with this core Jewish value.
- Savlanut – patience. We will “open up” as slowly as we need to, even though our hearts yearn for connection. We will cultivate patience as we walk this path.
- Kol Yisrael arevim zeh l’zeh – taking responsibility for one another. We act in accordance with this value always.
Updated Operating Plan
Our Covid-19 Task Force most recently met on June 17, 2022 and updated our reopening guidelines based on current case counts and CDC, PA, and Montgomery County recommendations. Below are the new guidelines that we will continue to adhere to for the next few months. Of course, the situation may evolve and we will communicate any changes as they come up.
- We will continue to ask that all vaccine-eligible individuals (anyone age 6 months and up) will need to be fully vaccinated in order to attend services and programs at Beth Am Israel. We recommend and request that all eligible adults have a booster shot.
- We strongly recommend and request that all individuals ages 6 months – 17 years be vaccinated when able.
- We ask that anyone who has not already done so upload a copy of their vaccine certificate so that we can make note of it on our spreadsheet. Note: If you have previously uploaded your vaccination card to our online system or shown it to us in person, you do not need to upload again. However, if you have since received your booster shot, please upload the updated card.
- If you are planning on coming in person for a program and have not previously uploaded, please click the link below, check our website for the registration form, or email the office at office@bethamisrael.org. Note that once we have your information and have updated our spreadsheet, your vaccine card will be deleted.
- Masking is optional for all fully vaccinated individuals, including children. Balcony seating is available for additional social distancing. Fully vaccinated means 1 does of Johnson and Johnson or 2 doses of Pfizer or Moderna. We encourage all who are eligible to also receive the booster dosage.
- We currently have food events at BAI. Weather permitting, we will place some tables outdoors for those who feel more comfortable eating outside and provide to-go boxes for those not comfortable eating together.
Please upload your vaccination card here, if you did not do so before.
Please re-upload your vaccine card if you have gotten your booster shot.
Serving the needs of our congregants continues to be of utmost importance to us.
Of course, these plans are always subject to change.
We will continue to monitor new developments and guidance issued by regulatory agencies related to the coronavirus pandemic and we will notify you if anything changes.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we keep as our top priority the safety of all in our community.
Rabbi David Ackerman
Hazzan Harold Messinger
Lori Dafilou, Executive Director
Jessica Glickman, Office Manager
Jackie Needleman, President
*BAI Covid-19 Protocols Task Force Members:
Rabbi David Ackerman
Hazzan Harold Messinger
Lori Dafilou, Executive Director
Jessica Glickman, M.S. Emergency Management
Jackie Needleman, BAI President
Alyssa Krain, M.D.
Joel Glickman, M.D.
George Anesi, M.D. with specialty in infectious disease
Debbie Sasson, Education Co-Chair
David Abernathy, Attorney
Ed Foster, House Committee Chair