COVID Safety Protocols for Congregation Sinai
*updated March 3, 2022
Everyone who comes to Congregation Sinai is expected to observe the following rules.
Masks are strongly advised but optional for all vaccinated individuals in most indoor settings.
Sinai will continue to require universal masking at high density gatherings on a case by case basis.
Everyone is asked to bring a mask with them to Sinai in case the need to mask arises.
Congregants are asked to assess their personal level of risk tolerance and adjust accordingly: immunocompromised individuals, the elderly, and those with risk factors for severe COVID 19 infection should consider continuing to mask whenever possible.
Please continue to be mindful and not come to communal events when ill with possible COVID symptoms.
Out of respect for the varying comfort levels of Sinai members, a mask-only seating section will be designated on the main floor of the sanctuary. The balcony will also be reserved for those who prefer not to sit near people who are unmasked. Chairs in both sections will remain distanced from one another.
A vaccinated person alone on the bimah may choose to remove their mask. To be as inclusive as possible, groups of people from two or more households are asked to wear a mask.
To maximize ventilation during Shabbat services, five HEPA air purifiers will continue to be in operation and the doors to the sanctuary will remain open.
For the time being, Kiddush will remain outdoors, though indoor options may be offered on an as-needed basis (such as inclement weather conditions).
Joining Services from Home
Congregation Sinai has recently invested in high quality audio/visual equipment for the sanctuary. All Shabbat services are being live streamed at www.sinai-sj.org/live. No account or password is required.
As a community committed to multi-generational experiences, we must take into consideration a variety of factors in the policies we enact. We also know that there are fully-vaccinated and boosted members who are still nervous about returning to normal indoor activities and are trusting that their fellow synagogue members are keeping them safe. As a caring community, we are confident that our members will take responsibility for their own actions, while respecting the feelings of their fellow members.
Throughout the past year, the Sinai Covid Health & Safety Task Force has operated under several guiding principles, rooted in Jewish tradition.
Pikuach Nefesh - Our number one priority has been prospecting the health and safety of our community. To that end, we have followed health guidances issued by the State of California as well as Santa Clara County, defaulting to the more conservative of the two.
She’at Hadehak - This has been an unprecedented, “extraordinary moment.” The situation has changed continually over the past year, and we have all needed to be flexible. At the same time we also have known that the need for precautions was ultimately temporary, and that there would eventually be a return to normal circumstances.
Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Lazeh - “All of Israel are responsible for one another.” We have done our best to accommodate the needs of our entire community, recognizing that this invariably has meant that we would have to make sacrifices for one another.
Chesed - We treat each other with kindness and respect. We recognize that the pandemic has engendered a wide variety of feelings and comfort levels among our membership over whether we gather in-person or remotely, indoors or outdoors, distanced or close, masked or unmasked.