APRIL 1 • 2021 | 19
Congregation B’nai Moshe: “At this point, we
are not holding in-person services other than
for b’nai mitzvah. Our medical advisory team
is considering allowing in-person services only
for people who have been fully vaccinated.
We are reconvening to discuss this opportuni-
ty right after Passover. We anticipate holding
in-person services by the end of spring. We
will continue to livestream our interactive
Zoom service, which has been extremely well
received by our membership.”
— Steven Fine, executive director
Congregation Shir Tikvah: “We will remain vir-
tual for a while, but we do have outdoor, in-per-
son services on occasion. For example, we
had a Havdalah service March 20. Come the
end of April, we will begin allowing for some
very small indoor b’nai mitzvah services only
(with Zoom as well for additional attendance),
should the family want to go that route.”
— Lorelei Berg, executive director
Temple Kol Ami: “Although we are continu-
ously monitoring the health of our community
and have a reopening taskforce committee,
we have not yet committed to an exact date
to have in-person services. We hope as the
weather improves, we can provide some out-
door activities and programs and potential
indoor gatherings with limited numbers. We
remain hopeful and optimistic that things will
improve over the next several months while
more and more people have access to the vac-
cine; however, we will remain cautious.”
— Cheryl Chaben Friedman,
executive director
Congregation T’chiyah: “T’chiyah is continuing
to meet only virtually for the time being. Based
on the expected vaccination rollout timelines,
our religious services committee feels that we
should plan again for virtual High Holiday ser-
vices, as we implemented this past year. This
year, however, we will suggest that vaccinated
congregants tune-in together in small groups.
We are curious about the possibility of future
in-person outdoor gatherings but do not yet
have set plans in the works for this. Whatever
happens, we’re interested in maintaining the
level of accessibility that Zoom-based services
provide (especially to homebound, disabled
and non-local congregants) by continuing to
provide online offerings even once we return
to in-person services.”
— Jake Ehrlich, community
engagement associate
people in the sanctuary for Shabbat
services. Executive Director David
Goodman believes they were one of
the first congregations to do so with-
out a bar or bat mitzvah during the
service. He said that as more congre-
gants are vaccinated and comfortable
getting out, there is an increased
interest among members in attending
services. That’s why congregation
leadership decided to increase the
number of participants to 35 after
Passover.
Congregation Shaarey Zedek in
Southfield was also one of the first to
reopen its doors. It began allowing
bar and bat mitzvah families back in
the sanctuary last May, with limited
capacity, and kept services on Zoom.
In February, the synagogue gave its
members the option of returning to
worship in person by pre-registering.
The process includes a health screen
and an agreement to follow health
and safety guidelines.
At first, there were limits to the
number of in-person worshipers.
Now, all members are welcome
under strict safety guidelines, but
pre-registering is no longer necessary.
Congregants, however, are not rush-
ing back. Recently, Shabbat morning
in-person attendance was 33. Others
participated through Zoom.
Because the synagogue is the larg-
est in terms of space, Shaarey Zedek
is in the enviable position of safely
welcoming back worshipers with-
out limiting numbers. Pre-COVID,
the shul could accommodate up to
4,000 worshipers by opening dividers
between the sanctuary and two adja-
cent social halls.
“We’ve been working hard for a
long time to bring people together
safely,
” said Robert Rich, executive
director of Shaarey Zedek. “If mem-
bers are comfortable, we welcome
them. If not, they can still participate
online. This pandemic is still going
on. I would not push anyone to
come.
”
Members of Congregation Beth
Shalom in Oak Park recently received
a three-page letter detailing the syna-
gogue’s plans for reopening for in-per-
son Shabbat morning services.
Beginning March 27, up to 36
members could pre-register to attend
a Saturday morning service. However,
for now, strict guidelines include the
requirement that all attendees be fully
vaccinated. Children under 13 are
not allowed, and those in attendance
are asked to avoid conversations and
activities that require close face-to-
face contact, such as handshakes and
hugs. The synagogue will continue
offering online services.
“WE’VE BEEN
WORKING HARD
FOR A LONG TIME
TO BRING PEOPLE
TOGETHER SAFELY”
— SHAAREY ZEDEK’S ROBERT RICH
Detail from Noah’s Ark mosaic at Shir Tikvah