Indooor Shabbat Services

Who can attend indoor services?
Services will be open to all, regardless of vaccination status. All are welcome to attend and participate in the main service. In addition, children in grades K-6 are invited to Noam services, and families with children ages 0-5 are welcome to Gan Shabbat. Babysitting is not offered at this time.

 

What is the mask policy?
Agudas Achim will require attendees to wear face masks over their noses and mouths while in the building—in services and while moving about the common areas. Masks will be available on site for those who forget to bring their own.

 

Will attendees have to keep physically distant from others?
Following CDC guidelines, those who are vaccinated do not need to be socially distanced. Agudas Achim will have the middle sections of seats in the Cohen Sanctuary as open seating without social distancing between congregants. The seats in the “wings” on the left and right will be marked to provide 6 feet of distance for those who require or prefer to spread out. The wall to the Lainof Auditorium will be open for air flow and additional seating, if needed.

 

Noam participants, following K-12 CDC guidelines, will maintain a three-foot distance from each other and wear masks. 

 

Will there be Kiddush after Shabbat services?
Following guidelines for food service, it is not yet possible to return to the much-desired regular kiddush; however, a nosh will be available to enjoy outside in the Sukkah Courtyard and elsewhere on the grounds, where you can converse with friends and family.

 

Will congregants be able to participate in services via Zoom?
Services will be transitioning away from Zoom and moving to livestreaming from the Cohen Sanctuary over the summer. Livestreaming will allow for remote viewing of services, but not remote participation in services, similar to the way Zoom has worked lately with simultaneous in-person services. 
-    Evening minyan will remain on Zoom. 
-    Morning minyan when held in the Flax Family Chapel on Mondays and Thursdays will continue with simultaneous Zoom, and other mornings will be on Zoom only. 
Notice of this change will be provided through our weekly enews and communication to minyan regulars.
 
Will members still have aliyot and other honors?
In-person attendees will have aliyot and other honors on the bima. Our clergy and gabbai’im have planned and used social-distancing strategies during Shabbat and Shavuot services outside which will be the basis for distancing practices on the bima under their guidance.