JULY 2 • 2020 | 21
O
n March 12, the
Michigan Board of
Rabbis decided to close
synagogue and temple facilities
due to the threat of COVID-19.
That action, based on medical
recommendations, preceded
Michigan’
s official
“stay-at-home”
order.
The group,
which includes
Reform,
Conservative,
Reconstructionist,
Renewal,
Humanist and Modern
Orthodox rabbis and those who
work at Jewish day schools, has
been discussing policies for
reopening synagogues.
Rabbi Aaron Bergman
of Adat Shalom Synagogue
serves as the board’
s president.
Looking ahead to re-opening,
he said, “We are taking into
consideration the governor’
s
orders and changing science.
We’
ve been very cautious.
”
On June 9, the Michigan
Board of Rabbis approved a
policy for re-opening simchahs
that will “provide essential
Jewish rituals in ways that
address our shared commitment
to health and safety. In doing
so, we are heeding the advice of
governmental authorities and
health experts — and recognize
that this advice (and our
response to it) may continue to
change and evolve rapidly.
”
Beginning Aug. 1, synagogues
affiliated with the Michigan
Board of Rabbis will offer
private, in-person simchahs
(weddings, baby namings, b’
nei
mizvah) with specific guidelines.
These include location
considerations — outdoor
ceremonies are preferred, but
simchahs may be held inside
a well-ventilated sanctuary
with additional precautions.
Participants and guests (besides
clergy and essential synagogue
workers) are limited to 25
people from no more than
10 households or the state of
Michigan’
s recommended limit,
whichever is less.
Worship space will be set up
to maintain 15 feet of distance
between clergy and ceremony
participants. All guests must
wear masks and sit with at least
12 feet between individual or
family groups who live in the
same household, including
relatives. Sanitation stations will
be readily available. Such “touch
points” as shared programs,
loaned siddurim, kippot and
tallitot will be eliminated.
Aliyot, other than those given
by a bar/bat mitzvah, or his/her
family members, will be allowed
only from the pews.
Several congregations are
planning to conduct services
this summer in compliance with
the Michigan Board of Rabbis’
policies for social distancing and
other health precautions.
Guidelines for
Re-opening Simchahs
Weddings, b’
nei mitzvah and baby
namings can begin Aug. 1.
SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Rabbi Aaron
Bergman
Supported through the generosity of The Jewish Fund and the D.
Dan and Betty Kahn Family Foundation.
.
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