KOL HALEV COMMUNITY BRIT

    FOR IN-PERSON OUTDOOR GATHERINGS


    This brit (covenant) sets out the practices which constitute Kol HaLev’s policies for in-person outdoor gathering 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-person in Kol HaLev’s High Holy Days services or events. 


    POLICIES FOR IN-PERSON OUTDOOR GATHERINGS:  
    Kol HaLev’s policies for in-person outdoor gatherings are created by its Board of Trustees, which takes into account:  1) the recommendations of our Pandemic Advisory Committee (as well as federal, state and local agencies), 2) members’ current attitudes and practices (from a recent member survey),  and 3) Kol HaLev’s community values.


    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 are still in 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.

    CURRENT RISK-MITIGATION PRACTICES:  

    The unpredictability of the public health situation makes it difficult to make a final determination of risk-mitigation practices even while we are days from the High Holy Days. Should more stringent protections – such as mandatory social distancing for all or even the cancellation of in-person events – become necessary, we will let you know at least 24 hours before the scheduled event. For now, these protocols are in effect: 

     

    1. MASKING AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING:
      1. All attendees regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear masks AND to maintain a social distance of 6 feet from one another at all times. (Families and established pods can gather together so long as they are 6 feet away from others.)
      2. We expect all unvaccinated attendees to be especially, exceedingly, careful and vigilant about masking and social distancing, for their own sakes and for that of other attendees. (Children under 2 years old are not required to be masked.)
      3. There will be no mingling when masks are off.
    2. Physical distance: To ensure all participants’ health and comfort, we will make use of: 
      1. Stricter rain cancellation standards: Unless the venue has sufficient shelter from rain for all attendees to maintain distancing of at least 6’ apart, we will cancel outdoor events beforehand when the probability of rain exceeds 25%
      2.  No-contact distribution of machzorim (prayer books), masks or other materials; they’ll be arranged on a table to avoid passing them hand to hand.
      3.  No food sharing: Participants will be responsible for bringing their own kiddush food, water, plates and utensils and will refrain from sharing with others.
    3. SELF-MONITORING: 
      1.  Participants will monitor their health, including but not limited to assessing potential exposures and symptoms, temperature checks, and sanitization protocols.
      2. Participants will NOT attend an in-person gathering if they are not feeling well, have symptoms of COVID-19, or have been exposed to COVID-19, regardless of their vaccination status.
    4. COMMUNAL MEALS AND FOOD:
      1. Communal meals are not currently advisable, even outdoors.
      2. Attendees are allowed to briefly unmask in these circumstances: 
        1. For community kiddush rituals with wine and challah they've brought from home.
        2. For drinking from personal water bottles (no sharing)
        3. In the case of young children, for snacks. We ask that parents of young children are careful to keep their children with them in their pod at all times.
    5. These guidelines are subject to change as needed. Our Pandemic Advisory Committee (PAC) will continue to monitor new data as it becomes available throughout the High Holy Days.

    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.


    YOUR COMMITMENT: 
    Attending a Kol HaLev in-person event indicates that you are willing to adhere to Kol HaLev’s policies for in-person outdoor 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.  


    If you or your family members feel uncomfortable with or cannot adhere to these guidelines, we invite you to join those events virtually.