As we move into the spring and the Omicron surge wanes, we are heartened by the news that COVID-19 infection rates and hospitalizations have been decreasing rapidly in New Jersey. With new orders being issued from the Governor's Office around masks, our Covid Task Force met recently to consider the Temple’s next steps. Our Task Force includes three physicians, one of whom is a pediatrician, lawyers, HR professionals, ELC and Religious School parents, Temple members, and the Clergy and Senior Staff. With careful consideration and noting the latest guidelines being issued by the CDC and the State of NJ at this time, the Task Force recommended that we continue to require masks for all activities in the building; however, limits on activities because of social distancing restrictions will be relaxed.
We are all anxious to move past the restrictions on our activities that we’ve had in place for two years. A range of actions were considered, from removing the mask requirement to requiring vaccinations to limiting activities inside the building. Ultimately, it was decided that our priority should be to maximize a return to “normal” activities. The best way to do this is to continue our mask requirements and to monitor conditions closely. This will allow us to have school assemblies, in-person meetings and Lifelong Learning/Adult Education classes, and generally let us meet and engage in activities that we have been away from for far too long. In the coming weeks, we will re-engage with our Youth and Adult Choirs, have a spectacular Purim Family Service featuring the Billy Jonas Band, offer new Adult Education classes, and return to some of the types of programs that we have had to limit in the ELC and Religious School, like larger gatherings and family programs.
Our Covid Task Force will continue to meet over the next few months to evaluate the current conditions and make recommendations about how we can continue to move forward safely. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we continue down the road of hopefully leaving COVID-19 in our rearview mirror.
L’Shalom,
Jennifer Fessler, President Rabbi Melinda Panken Cantor Wally Schachet-Briskin Stuart Brown, Executive Director Melissa Pescatore, Director of Religious Education Sheryn Cohen, Director of Early Learning Center David Gronlund-Jacob, Religious Educator
