July 20, 2022

Effective immediately, we are again updating our Covid policy. Masks will be optional for services, events, and other visits to the building.  

Vassar Temple is a “judgment-free zone.” Please keep in mind that individuals choose to mask or maintain distance for a variety of reasons and respect that choice. To this end, we are creating a “masks only” seating area in the rear of the sanctuary for anyone who wishes to be seated at a greater distance and only near others who are also masked. This is purely optional, and anyone who chooses to be masked is welcome to sit in any location.  

While we understand that making masks optional may result in different comfort levels among attendees, we also understand the likelihood of Covid, an unusually contagious illness, having a long-term presence. More than two years into the pandemic, we continue to strive for a balance that reflects the range of our community’s needs and preferences, prioritizes health and safety, and satisfies the goal of keeping our members and others connected to congregational life.  

We continue to use CDC guidelines as an objective standard. We consider our vaccine requirement to be crucially important to our success thus far, and vaccination will remain a significant factor in our precautions. We will continue to require up to date vaccination, as defined by the CDC, for participation in services and events. Please note the following guidelines, which have been updated with booster requirements. 

• The CDC considers you up to date when you have received all doses in the primary series and all boosters recommended for you, when eligible. 

• Vaccine recommendations differ depending on age, the vaccine first received, and time since last dose. Currently this applies to those 6 months and older, with boosters for those 5 years and older when eligible based on age and other considerations.

• Please refer to the following CDC site for detailed information:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html

Religious School and young family programs will continue to operate on a separate policy reflecting the public schools. As always, policies are subject to change in response to community conditions and state and federal guidance. Our annual High Holiday information will be available in early August, with the understanding that conditions could change again by the time the holidays begin in mid-September.

Please facilitate our building protocols by continuing to provide us with your updated Covid vaccine information to include boosters. Send information to vaccine@vassartemple.org and reach out to rabbi@vassartemple.org if you need to discuss a confidential exemption.

Out of a continued abundance of caution, please do not come to the Temple if you are exhibiting symptoms of any sort of illness or have someone ill in your household or daily close contacts. If there is a chance that you have been exposed to Covid, even if you are vaccinated and asymptomatic, please avoid potentially exposing those who may be more vulnerable.

Please reach out to us at health@vassartemple.org with your questions, comments, and suggestions.

On behalf of the Health & Safety Task Force,

Lisa-Sue Quackenbush, President and Task Force Chair

Rabbi Renni S. Altman