“Mann Tracht, Un Gott Lacht” is an old Yiddish adage meaning, “Man Plans, and God Laughs.” If this pandemic has taught us anything, it is that despite our most careful planning, life is unpredictable. Unexpected changes can upend our best-laid plans in life.
Unfortunately, we have had to learn to live with the coronavirus, which may continue to alter our lives for years to come. Nevertheless, our careers, our educations, and our social lives must continue. So must our religious life. Fortunately, our medical panel has given us the clearance to conduct in-person services and events for this High Holy Day services, but with some restrictions.
Based on the latest news from the CDC, local and state officials, and our medical advisors, these are the COVID-related protocols that we will strictly adhere to beginning with this Shabbat, August 6th, and through the High Holy Days to provide a safe and positive experience for us all:
Congregants who are fully vaccinated may join us for in-person services and events. While in the building, you must wear a mask for all services and events.
Children under 12 that are not yet eligible for vaccination may attend B'nai Mitzvah or other programs this month, but must wear masks at all times.
Congregants that are not fully vaccinated should stay home and attend services with us virtually.
Congregants that are fully vaccinated but are immunocompromised or have underlying conditions may not be fully protected by the vaccine. For your safety, please consult your physician for guidance before attending in-person services and events.
As always, we continue to encourage you to get vaccinated as soon as possible if you are eligible.
In addition to these protocols, you can expect the following for the High Holy Days:
We are not offering babysitting services this year.
As we expect larger crowds for High Holy Days than Shabbat, children under 12 that are not eligible to be vaccinated should stay home and join us virtually.
Since we will be masked, we will shorten the length of services where we can under Jewish law to make the HHD experience as comfortable as possible.
While our High Holy Days services in Barg, Chapel, and Museum Minyan will be held in person and as well as livestreamed, our Preschool, Grade School, and Teen programs will be offered only virtually. For all of our youth age groups, we will have prerecorded and engaging programs that will be available on-demand from our website throughout the HHD.
While we are not restricting capacity or enforcing social distancing in any of our sanctuaries, we are opening both the Barg Sanctuary and Pulaski Rauch Auditorium to provide the most space for participants to distance while seated in the service. We will also hold our customary two Kol Nidrei services.
For members who are participating virtually, you will have the option again this year to borrow a Machzor. Please register on our website or call our office if you would like to borrow prayer books.
The week of August 16th we will mail High Holy Days tickets to all members in good standing. This mailing will include detailed schedules for all of the High Holy Days; reminders about COVID protocols, parking, security, Meals-to-Go, and our HHD appeal; and a preview of programming for the year.
Thank you for your flexibility as we navigate constantly changing guidelines together. We are disappointed our entire congregation cannot be together for High Holy Days again this year, but we must make the health of our community - physical, emotional, and spiritual - our highest priority. We hope that you will join us either in person or virtually this year and that we may enjoy a meaningful High Holy Days together.
L'Shalom,
Rabbi Brian Strauss, Senior Rabbi
David Stein, President
Andy Burger, Executive Director
Congregation Beth Yeshurun
4525 Beechnut Street
Houston, TX 77096
