Kol HaLev Community Brit for In-person Gatherings
(v. 6.0, March 30, 2023)
This brit (covenant) sets out the practices which constitute Kol HaLev’s health and safety policies, as well as the beliefs and values which inform those practices. All members and their guests must agree to this covenant as a prerequisite to participating in Kol HaLev’s in-person services or events.
Our community values
As a welcoming, caring and inclusive community, we’re guided by the Jewish values of b’riyut (health and wellness), k’vod habriot (human dignity), kehila (commitment to community), d’veykut (connection to the divine) and sh’lom bayit (collective harmony). We recognize that among our members, there’s a diversity of comfort levels and preferences in relation to COVID-19 risk mitigation practices.
Turning values into practices
When we gather together for in-person services or events, we are committing to:
- Doing more than is required to protect the vulnerable: At times, our safety protocols may intentionally exceed the recommendations from the CDC and other agencies in order to provide an added degree of safety for all, in accordance with the minhag (custom) of khumra (doing more than what is required).
- Including and protecting the vulnerable: While it isn’t possible or even logical to promise to make all of our in-person services and events an option for all members, regardless of health status, all the time, we can commit to including most members in most of our in-person offerings most of the time. We will also offer Zoom participation whenever possible for those who cannot attend in person.
- Acknowledging our members’ genuine need for spiritual and communal connection: Whether it’s praying, connecting to the Jewish tradition, discussing the Torah portion, blending their voices with others in song, or noshing and talking with friends, what feeds many members’ souls often times requires us to gather in person, with plenty of time for interaction.
- Recognizing the needs of children: We appreciate that the needs and experiences of our community’s children may differ from those of our adults even though we’re meeting at the same time in the same place on Shabbat mornings. As a result, some of the time and in some parts of the building, the COVID-19 policy in place for children may be different from the policy in effect for adults.
Our COVID policy
Kol HaLev’s COVID policy is set by its board of trustees, based on our community values, current public health conditions, and guidance from Kol HaLev’s Pandemic Advisory Committee (PAC).
General principles:
- Masking is always encouraged to protect your health and those of other community members.
- Our goal continues to be zero transmission of COVID-19 at Kol HaLev gatherings.
- When masking is voluntary, other safety precautions are mandatory to prevent inadvertent tranmission of COVID-19.
Guidelines
- Vaccination: Our community’s expectation at gatherings is full vaccination (and boosting) against COVID-19 to the extent that you are eligible and/or to the extent advised by your healthcare provider.
- Self-monitoring for symptoms:
- Our community expects you to monitor yourself for symptoms of COVID-19 before attending Kol HaLev events.
- If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (that are not clearly due to another cause, such as allergies or asthma), please stay home, follow quarantine and isolation protocols, and join us via zoom.
- Exposure: If you've been exposed to anyone who has tested positive for or has symptoms of COVID-19 and
- If you are asymptomatic, then you can attend in-person gatherings,as long as you wear a well-fitting N95, KN95 or KF94 mask.
- If you develop symptoms of COVID, then please do not come to any program or service in person. Follow quarantine and isolation protocols and join us on Zoom.
- Masking:
- Voluntary masking indoors: We are introducing voluntary masking when Cuyahoga County's hospitalization rate is GREEN/LOW (to start, we are introducing voluntary masking at one Shabbat service a month).
- Mandatory masking indoors: When our country's CDC hospitalization rate is YELLOW/MODERATE or RED/HIGH, masking at indoor Kol HaLev events, including Shabbat services, will be mandatory (except in the case of optional kiddush; see more below)
- Outdoor masking: Masking is voluntary whenever we gather outdoors, execept when our county's CDC hospitalization rate is RED/HIGH, when masking outdoors is strongly recommended .
- Kiddush/communal eating:
- NEW: You may choose to join us unmasked for a BYO kiddush lunch after Shabbat services when our county's CDC hospitalization rate is GREEN/LOW or YELLOW/MODERATE.
- Note: The policy for kiddush is a departure from our COVID policy for other in-person gatherings in recognition of our genuine need for the experience of connection and belonging that is unique to kiddush.
- Unmasking isn't a requirement for participation in kiddush; if you’re comfortable with voluntary masking, please attend kiddush wearing your mask.
- Kiddush/communal eating will be canceled when our our county's CDC hospitalization rate is RED/HIGH.
- NEW: Confidential disclosure: If, within 5 days of attending a Kol HaLev service or event, you test positive for COVID-19, develop symptoms of COVID-19, or learn you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, please send us an email right away (all information will be handled with confidentiality).
Respecting one another’s limits
- Because we value a culture of mutual respect, we employ consent-based practices to ensure all participants’ comfort at our events. To that end, we strive to make it possible for all attendees to be present for Kol HaLev events with minimal stress about masking, physical safety and unwanted proximity.
- While masking is no longer mandated by the CDC, some members will continue to mask and avoid the physical proximity of hugs and handshakes. Others, whether masked or not, will welcome the proximity.
- As you approach others, be alert for verbal cues or body language that indicate that physical proximity is unwanted. It’s always a safe choice to ask for permission before moving in for a hug or handshake, “May I give you a hug?”
Security Guidelines
Part of honoring pikuah nefesh (the value of human life) is making sure our meeting space is secure and that we’re prepared for medical emergencies, natural disasters and incidents of violence. To that end, we’ve created security protocols which are enforced by trained Greeter Corps volunteers. While on-site at in-person gatherings, attendees will practice situational awareness and follow the guidance of Safety Corps members, Jewish Federation of Cleveland Security personnel, and law enforcement officers on the premises.
- Obey all visual instructions, particularly those marking entry points and perimeters.
- Obey the directions of Kol HaLev’s Greeter Corps volunteers: Answer any questions asked of you.
- Practice situational awareness: If you notice anyone or anything that seems odd or out of place, tell a Kol HaLev Greeter Corps volunteer right away.
Your Commitment
Once you have read this brit, your attendance at any Kol HaLev event signifies your agreement with the terms of the brit and your willingness to adhere to Kol HaLev’s policies for in-person gatherings – even if you are comfortable with less stringent practices in your personal life. Doing so will enable us to create a communal space that is as safe, supportive, and comfortable as can be for all our attendees
