Facebook YouTube Instagram Search User

Coming Back Home

February 21, 2022

Dear Congregants,

Please note that our updated masking policy goes into effect on March 1.

With the recent drop in COVID cases in Harris County, the Emanu El Reopening Task Force is modifying our masking policy from masks being required for everyone to masks being optional for individuals up to date on COVID vaccinations [meaning a person has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible].

Both the Becker School and Helfman Religious School will continue requiring masks at this time. Any changes to the masking policies or other protocols for the schools will be communicated by Stefani Carlson, Director of Congregational Learning, to their respective communities.

Events that combine both the schools and broader congregation, such as the upcoming Purim Carnival on March 6, will covered by the schools’ masking protocol and thus masks will be required at those events.

You are important to us, and we want you to stay healthy, so if you are not up to date on COVID vaccinations, please plan to join us by way of live stream and not in person for services and events with a virtual option.

We strongly encourage all who are high risk (e.g., age 75+ and with one or more underlying health condition) to wear a well-fitting mask over their nose and mouth when at Emanu El for congregational and religious services. The Task Force prefers that you wear a 3-ply surgical mask or better.

We believe this policy update allows individuals to make decisions based on their own risk level.

Please stay safe and healthy!

If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know.

Regards,
David Lamden, Executive Director

 



December 21, 2021

Dear Congregants,

As we have since the early days of the pandemic, our congregation’s leadership remains focused on your safety and continues to follow the guidance provided by our medical advisors and local and national government agencies.

Effective December 24, 2021, due to the rising number of COVID cases in the Houston area, we have made the decision to require masks inside our building once again, including at religious services.  As a reminder, all congregants and visitors who are eligible are expected to be fully vaccinated (according to our congregational standards, “fully vaccinated” means one shot plus a booster if you initially received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or two shots plus a booster if you initially received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine).

We will continue to offer hybrid (multi-access) services, events and meetings whenever possible.  As always, these events will be publicized on our website and in the Bulletin.

If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know.

Regards,
David Lamden, Executive Director