OUR
2020-2021 
BOARD OF TRUSTEES - OFFICERS

CO PRESIDENTS - DONNA NOWICKI  AND JIM WARTENBERG  
     
VICE PRESIDENT - ELI KAUFMAN 
 
VICE PRESIDENT - ROZ ZUCKER
 
FINANCIAL SECRETARY - BRIAN GOLDSMITH 

TREASURER - KEVIN ULKLOSS 

RECORDING SECRETARY - LAURI ACCARDI

Re-Opening For Services

Dear Congregant: 

With the recommendation from both the CBOI Ritual Committee and Board of Trustees, we are excited to invite you to attend Shabbat services in-person beginning Friday, June 25th and Saturday, June 26th . We will continue to use Zoom for all Shabbat services as well.

The Ritual Committee reviewed the survey which was sent to the Congregation in May, as well as the latest CDC Guidelines and Pennsylvania Department of Health Guidelines. There is a significant reduction in COVID-19 infections, fewer deaths, and increased vaccinations on both the national and local scale. As of the beginning of June, almost all limitations have been lifted by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Governor’s office.

The congregational survey was sent to 201 email addresses and we received 103 responses:
          • 98.2% of respondents were or will be vaccinated within the next 60 days. 
          • 68% would feel comfortable returning to in-person services with a capacity of 60 people when the HVAC updates are complete.

The Board of Trustees approved a set of initial guidelines to create a safe and healthy environment for everyone gathering at CBOI. The guidelines include wearing masks, continued physical distancing, and encouraging people to get vaccinated. See the attached set of guidelines for complete information. 

In addition, the Board of Trustees approved an upgrade to our HVAC systems that will be completed as soon as possible, and most definitely in time for the High Holidays. While all of the upgrades may not be completed by June 25th, we do not expect more than 25 people to regularly attend Shabbat services, giving us ample ability to ensure safety and health. 

The Ritual Committee and Rabbi Gaber expect that we will continue to modify the guidelines for inperson services based upon guidance from the CDC and the PA Dept. of Health. Some modifications may include relaxing the masking mandate, increasing capacity, and making food available for Oneg Shabbat and Kiddush. We will continue to update the Board of Trustees and the congregation as we continue through the summer. 

We are grateful to the many volunteers who have invested time and energy to ensure that during the last 18 months and going forward, CBOI will be a safe and healthy community. We thank Rabbi Gaber, Joan Hersch, Cantor Barnett and our synagogue staff for ensuring that we were meeting the needs of our community throughout the pandemic. We look forward to continuing to grow and seeing you inperson in the weeks and months to come. 

Sincerely, 

                          

     Donna Nowicki                                                 James Wartenberg 
      Co-President                                                      Co-Presidents

Protecting your health and safety
 
In the interests of Pikuach Nefesh (saving a life), we ask that everyone get vaccinated for Covid-19 as soon as they are eligible to do so and are medically able to receive the vaccination.
 
The following rules will be in effect while you are at Congregation Brothers of Israel: 

·  Masks will be worn at all times in the building.
·  Observe distanced seating restrictions.
·  Maintain physical distance of at least 6 feet from persons not from your  household/pod.
·  Upon entering the building, you will use hand sanitizer.
·  Please refer to instructions provided if you are receiving an aliyot or other  honor; some of these honors are modified.
·  Please sing at a low volume.
·  Please bring your own kippah and tallit. There will be limited tallitot and kippot available. (A special box to quarantine borrowed tallitot and kippot will be               designated)
·  Bring your own prayer book to the service in a labeled ziploc bag. (A limited # will be available to borrow)
·  Only one person from different households/pods can use the bathroom at any  given time.
·  The water cooler will not be available, please bring your own water bottle
 
You are asked not to attend if:
·  You have tested positive for Covid-19 in the past two weeks.
·  You have had a fever or have felt feverish in the last 14 days.
·  You are having shortness of breath or other difficulties breathing.
·  You have a cough or a sore throat.
·  You experienced a recent loss of taste or smell.
·  You have been in contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last two weeks.
·  You reside with or in contact with a person who is presently undergoing quarantine related to potential COVID-19 exposure.