As of May 1, we will no longer require pre-registration for services. Pre-registration for other events will be determined on a case-by-case basis. We will continue to require all attendees to be vaccinated and up to date with their vaccinations against Covid-19. And we will continue to require everyone to wear a mask when inside the building, with limited exceptions*. We encourage wearing a high-quality mask such as an N-95 or KN-95 mask.
We will not be recording proof of up-to-date vaccination at the door, however, as stated above, the requirement to be vaccinated continues. If non-TI members are coming with you to services or other events at TI, please make sure they know that they are required to be up-to-date with their Covid-19 vaccinations. While the shomrim will not be recording vaccination status on a list, they may request to see proof of vaccination, so you should also let your guests know that they need to bring their proof of vaccination.
Some things haven’t changed. If you don’t feel well or learn that you have been exposed to someone infected with Covid-19 during the prior week, stay home and get tested. If you test positive for Covid or develop any symptoms within two days of being at TI, please notify Rabbi Werbow right away so that we can begin contact tracing and notification as soon as possible.
*Limited exceptions: leading part of a service, reading Torah or Haftorah, addressing the congregation (delivering a drash, announcements), and eating.
Wishing everyone good health, The Covid Committee
Tifereth Israel Congregation 7701 16th Street, NW Washington, DC 20012
You probably know by now that the latest wave of Covid-19 in our area is on the wane. The rate of Covid transmission has come down dramatically, and public health and government officials are relaxing community-wide restrictions on indoor gatherings. Accordingly, the Covid Committee feels we can ease up on some of our requirements as well.
Starting this Shabbat, service leaders, leyners, and speakers will no longer be required to be masked. We will also give the option to anyone with an aliyah to go up to the bima. This was the practice at TI until the Omicron variant led us to tighten our requirements.
As DC and surrounding jurisdictions are ending indoor mask requirements, we will be watching the numbers and consider making masks optional at TI. For the time being, congregants are required to wear masks in the building, except when eating at kiddush lunch or performing a role in the service.
We look forward to more good news on the Covid front, and for the ability to get closer to something resembling our pre-pandemic normal, one step at a time.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Michael Werbow Jevera Temsky, Executive Director
Sara Goldberg, President Rabbi Jason Kimelman-Block, Ritual VP Sylvia Horwitz, Covid Committee Chair