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