All updates to Temple Sinai’s COVID-19 Policies will be sent out to the congregation via email, as well as posted on this page. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions regarding our policies.
Updated COVID-19 Policies: March 31, 2022
Dear Temple Sinai Families,
We’d like to share with you an update regarding our revised COVID-19 protocols. Our COVID Task Force met last week and made the following decision.
Beginning April 1, 2022, all congregants will be permitted to enter Temple Sinai, with revised protocols in place. We will continue to check vaccination cards. If you are fully vaccinated, masks are optional; if you are not fully vaccinated you will be required to wear a mask. For children under 2 years of age, masks will not be required.
We understand there will be a variety of feelings about this update. We ask all Temple Sinai members to please remain extra sensitive to this situation and supportive of each other as we make this transition. Temple Sinai will continue to closely monitor both case counts and positivity rates. Should the positivity rate increase to over 5%, protocols will be reevaluated.
A few other items of note:
- If you feel ill with any symptoms of COVID, the flu or a cold please stay home.
- If you have been directly exposed to someone with COVID please remain home until you are able to be tested; return once you have tested “negative”.
- Our water fountains remain shut off. Please bring a bottle of water from home with you when you come into the building.
- Questions about our Preschool and Religious School policies should be directed to their respective Directors of Education.
Our services and programs will continue to be broadcast on LiveStream (sinaidenver.org/livestream) and Facebook (facebook.com/SinaiDenver) and recordings will remain posted for your convenience.
Your safety and the well-being of our community are a sacred responsibility. Thank you for all of your patience as we have ridden the ups and downs over the past two years. Should you have any questions, please contact the Temple office.
Sincerely,
Lisa Thorner, Executive Director
Dave Eisner, President
Rabbi Rick Rheins, Senior Rabbi
Rabbi Jordy Callman, Assistant Rabbi
Updated COVID-19 Policies: March 1, 2022
Dear Congregant,
This month brings an important update on Temple Sinai’s COVID–19 protocols that we would like to share.
Beginning Tuesday, March 1, 2022 Temple Sinai’s mask mandate will be lifted. Masks will be optional indoors and outdoors as long as community positivity rates are below 10%. Should community positivity rates exceed 10%, the mask mandate will be reinstated.
This decision comes as a result of the work of our COVID Task Force and a recommendation to our Board of Trustees so that our Board can fairly vote on a decision. The task force is comprised of individuals who are trained and experienced in the fields of medicine, public safety, legal affairs and education, amongst others and our Sinai leadership.
This decision is based on their guidance in conjunction with published guidance from the CDC and government authorities.
Here we are, about to turn the corner into our third year of fighting a global pandemic and this is a very big shift for all of us. Together, let us practice Kavod and remember that respecting one another is part of being Jewish. While masks will be optional, Temple Sinai will not be a place for any mask shaming. Do not make any person feel “less than” for wearing or not wearing a mask.
Please refer to this list of updated requirements:
Shabbat Services and B’nei Mitzvahs:
- Anyone attending a service in the sanctuary or chapel are required to show proof of vaccination and booster.
TS Adult Programming and Personal/Family Events:
- Each situation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Continue to check email updates for our programs. Call our office to discuss a family simcha or event.
Religious School:
- Grades K-6 (ages 5-12) will continue to require masks through March. Results of a re-evaluation will be communicated.
- Teen Programming (12+) will now be mask optional as vaccinations and boosters are currently required.
Preschool:
- Preschool children and staff will be required to wear masks through March. Results of a re-evaluation will be communicated.
NEW Vaccination Requirements:
- Ages 5-12 Vaccinations — beginning August 1, 2022, Temple Sinai will require full COVID–19 vaccinations for all Religious School participants. Documentation will be required as part of Religious School registration.
- Preschool Vaccinations — beginning August 1, 2022, as students turn 5, Temple Sinai will require full COVID–19 vaccinations for respective Preschool students. Documentation will be required at child’s 5th birthday and/or within Preschool registration.
Inside Temple Sinai we will continue to follow these protocols:
- Bring your own water bottle with you as our water fountains remain shut off.
- Hand washing and social distancing remain important practices of our new normal.
- If you feel ill with any symptoms of COVID, the flu a common cold or a virus of any kind, please stay home.
- If you have been directly exposed to someone with COVID, please remain home until you are able to be tested and return once you have tested “negative”.
Please keep in mind that protocols and/or requirements are subject to change at any time should the positivity rate drastically change or if the local, state or federal government imposes any changes.
The best defense against COVID–19 is to get vaccinated. The COVID Task Force and leadership team strongly recommend that everyone who is eligible for the vaccination and booster receive them. If you need any type of assistance in doing so, please reach out to us.
Thank you for all of your patience as we have ridden the ups and downs of the past two years together. Our COVID Task Force will be meeting again in April – any outcomes will be communicated as appropriate.
Sincerely,
Lisa Thorner, Executive Director
Dave Eisner, President
Rabbi Rick Rheins, Senior Rabbi
Rabbi Jordy Callman, Assistant Rabbi
Updated COVID-19 Policies: January 16, 2022
Dear Temple Sinai family and friends,
Due to the continued increase of COVID Omicron infections, we are extending our building closure and will not be holding in-person services or programs for the remainder of the month of January. Shabbat services and many of the adult educational programs will be broadcast on our LiveStream and/or Facebook.
RESCHEDULED
We have rescheduled our guest speaker Representative Dafna Michaelson Jenet for Friday March 4, 2022.
VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING
Our Brotherhood, Bible and Beers on January 25 at 6:00 pm is now virtual. We will continue with our on-going adult education virtual programs as planned. Please look for links to all of these classes in our Weekly Updates, Shabbat at a Glance, and Daily Docket emails.
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
We will return to in-person Religious School on Sunday, January 23 following Cherry Creek School District’s current protocols.
PRESCHOOL
It is our hope that through the collaborative safety measures of enrolled families and preschool staff that the preschool will remain open.
REDUCED BUILDING HOURS
To help keep our staff safe, we will have reduced hours in the building, with the majority of our staff working remotely during this time. If you need to contact a staff member, we will be onsite answering phones Monday – Friday from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. All of our staff can be reached via email during our normal operating hours. To reach any of our staff via email please contact us here.
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Hillel of Colorado is excited to offer free COVID–19 vaccines on Tuesday, January 18 between 10 AM – 3 PM MST
Register Here
When: Tuesday, January 18, 2022, 10 AM – 3 PM
Where: Hillel of Colorado at 2390 S Race St, Denver, CO 80210
Who: Any person above the age of 5 who needs their COVID–19 vaccine
Cost: FREE!
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Sincerely,
Dave Eisner, President
Rabbi Rick Rheins, Senior Rabbi
Rabbi Jordy Callman, Assistant Rabbi
Lisa Thorner, Executive Director
Updated COVID-19 Policies: September 29, 2021
Dear Temple Sinai Congregants,
As we continue to navigate the ever changing realities of the Covid–19 pandemic, we’d like to share with you the most updated policies we are putting into place to keep our congregation safe and healthy, effective immediately.
VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS
We require all attendees at Temple who are age eligible for vaccination (ages 12 and older) to be fully vaccinated and present their vaccination card (physical copy or digital image on a smartphone) before entering the building. Those that are ages 11 and younger who are not yet eligible for vaccination, are welcome to attend in-person worship and events. ALL attendees must be fully masked while at Temple.
If you are age eligible and are not vaccinated, please join us virtually for our worship opportunities as well as our classes, programs and featured events.
MASK REQUIREMENTS
Properly fitting masks must be worn at all times when inside our building. Please note that clergy will not wear masks while on the bimah and speaking to the congregation.
ATTENDANCE LIMITS
We will allow 50% capacity for our in-person services and in-person programs. There will be a maximum of 500 people allowed to attend any indoor service or in-person program. We will require social distancing for those in attendance.
All policies are subject to change as new information and guidance becomes available.
Warmly,
Rabbi Rick Rheins, Senior Rabbi
Rabbi Jordy Callman, Assistant Rabbi
Lisa Thorner, Executive Director
Dave Eisner, President
Updated COVID-19 Policies: August 5, 2021
Dear Temple Sinai Family,
Our COVID Task Force met last week to evaluate our current COVID protocols at Temple Sinai. Based on the current CDC guidelines, the rising number of COVID–19 cases due to the Delta Variant, and the concern about breakthrough infections occurring in a small percentage of vaccinated individuals, Temple Sinai will now require masks to be worn at indoor services for all in attendance.
This change is effective immediately and will be re-evaluated on a week-to-week basis.
We will also continue to be in touch with you to let you know how this impacts our upcoming events, including our plans for the High Holy Days. Our COVID Task Force will continue to monitor our current situation and we will keep you updated with any further changes.
Please do not hesitate to reach us with any questions or concerns.
B’vrakhah, With Blessings,
Dave Eisner, President
Rabbi Rick Rheins, Senior Rabbi
Lisa Thorner, Executive Director
Updated COVID-19 Policies: June 23, 2021
Dear Temple Sinai Family,
Following the guidelines of the CDC and local authorities, the COVID Task Force met to update our guidelines and outline Temple Sinai’s next steps toward fully reopening our facility. The Board of Trustees met and approved the new guidelines and effective immediately, there will no longer be capacity restrictions in the Zwerin Sanctuary or the Abrahams Family Chapel!
In keeping with the sacred Jewish principle P’kuach Nefesh, protecting life, there are still some restrictions and precautions that we will observe. In order to ensure the safety of all of our members, guests, and staff, the following guidelines will be enforced:
- Masks will be required for those individuals who have not been fully vaccinated.
- Registration for in-person services and events.
- Sign-in registration at the entrance for possible contact tracing.
Following these guidelines will make it possible for us to create a safe environment for all that enter our building. We continue to urge everyone who is eligible for the vaccination, to please do so. This will help eradicate COVID–19, prevent the spread of the variants, and protect the younger and other vulnerable populations.
The Board of Trustees also decided to allow Kiddish Luncheons and Mitzvah parties. When the wall at the back of the Sanctuary is closed, we will allow a capacity of 150. This is a combined total for the East and West Social Hall spaces. Food must be individually wrapped or plated. Buffets can be an option, but they cannot be self-serve. Caterers must always maintain the station (i.e., masked, gloved, and serve the food).
As always and out of consideration, please do not attend any in-person event at Temple if you are not feeling well.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to any of us. We will keep you posted with further updates.
B’vrakhah, With Blessings,
Bob Steine, President
Rabbi Rick Rheins, Senior Rabbi
Lisa Thorner, Executive Director
