Kol Halev - Cleveland's Reconstructionist Jewish Community

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    • Community Life

    Kol HaLev Community Brit for In-person Gatherings

    (Version 5.0, August 2022)
    This brit (covenant) sets out the practices which constitute Kol HaLev’s policies for in-person gatherings during the pandemic, and 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: 

    We’re a welcoming, caring community which is inclusive of all (regardless of age, health or vaccination status). We honor pikuah nefesh (the value of human life), k’vod habriot (human dignity) and sh’lom bayit (collective harmony) by protecting the health and safety of all members and guests, and by recognizing the diversity of comfort levels and preferences in relation to physical proximity and interaction.

    Turning values into practices:  

    When we gather together for in-person outdoor services or events, we are committing to:

    • Doing more than is required: Our safety protocols will 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).
    • Protecting the vulnerable: We are especially concerned with protecting children who are not (yet) able to be vaccinated, older adults, and others with health conditions whose vaccinations may be less effective.
    • Creating redundancy in our safety net: This extra protection helps create redundancy in our safety net, so that if one element is compromised (i.e. if someone needs to unmask momentarily), we maintain relative safety.   
    • Recognizing the needs of children: We value children’s play and acknowledge that they may have different abilities and needs regarding social distancing. It is up to their responsible adults to decide and enforce their comfort level with social distancing, respecting, too, that other families may make different decisions. .

    CURRENT PANDEMIC POLICY, PASSED BY BOARD ON AUGUST 31, 2022

    Kol HaLev’s pandemic policy, which is set by its board of trustees, currently permits in-person gatherings, both indoors and outdoors, provided that all attendees comply with Kol HaLev’s current health and safety protocols, which are outlined in the chart below. NOTE: This policy is contingent on current public health conditions; upon guidance from Kol HaLev’s Pandemic Advisory Committee (PAC), the board may change this policy or its health and safety protocols at any time with no advance notice.

    CURRENT HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS:

    • Vaccination:

      • Attendees will be vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 to the extent that they are eligible and/or to the extent advised by their healthcare provider.

      • Clearance by a physician prior to attendance is strongly recommended for members of the community who are ineligible for vaccination for reasons such as underlying disease resulting in immunosuppression.

    • Exposure: Attendees and all members of their immediate household will not have been in close contact with someone who has symptoms or has tested positive for COVID-19 within 10 days prior to the event.
       

    • Symptoms: Attendees and all members of their immediate household must not have had any symptoms of COVID-19 within 10 days prior to the event.
       
    • Social Distancing: Social distancing is encouraged when the CDC assessment of our community levels is MEDIUM/YELLOW or HIGH/RED.
       
    • Masking*:
      • Masking will be mandatory at all indoor Kol HaLev meetings, regardless of meeting size,  and regardless of CDC-reported community levels.
      • For outdoor events, masking is encouraged when the CDC assessment of our community level is HIGH/RED, and optional when the community level is MEDIUM/YELLOW or LOW/GREEN.

        *Masking recommendations: Our PAC recommends the use of N95 or KN95 masks. Well-fitting N95 and KN95 masks are preferable for those who can fit them properly and wear them consistently, because under those conditions they filter the coronavirus more effectively. Surgical-type and cloth masks are discouraged because their performance varies greatly depending on construction and their effectiveness against the more contagious Omicron variants now causing more cases is unclear.
    • Food:​
      • When community levels are HIGH/RED, food will not be served nor shared at Kol HaLev events. BYO ritual kiddush is acceptable during outdoor kiddushim.
      • When community levels are MEDIUM/YELLOW, food may be served outdoors at Kol HaLev events and services.
      • When community levels are LOW/GREEN, food may be served at outdoor Kol HaLev events and indoors at facilities with adequate air exchange and HEPA filtration. (Note: Our most frequent meeting space meets this qualification).

    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, even when community levels are high, 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 Safety 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 Greeters/Safety 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/Safety 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.

     

     


     

    Most services and programs are currently being held online! Visit our home page for more information.

    Office: 2245 Warrensville Center Road, Suite 215 . University Heights, OH 44118 . (216) 320-1498

    Kol HaLev is affiliated with Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College

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