For the past few months we have held some B’nei Mitzvot services in the synagogue, where attendance has been limited to the family and a small group of invited guests, all observing strict protocols including wearing masks, social distancing, and sanitizing. From 12 June we plan to hold Shabbat morning services in the synagogue, although streaming will continue.
Initially attendance at our Shabbat services will be limited to 30 members, plus those on duty in the various roles of service taker, security, warden, and greeter-cum-social distance monitor. Anyone wishing to attend a service will need to book beforehand, using an online form accessed via the website calendar. Simply go to the link for a particular date to access the form, BUT please note that the form will only be accessible from the Tuesday before the service itself – i.e. the first one will be available on 8 JUNE.
Booking will be on a first-come-first-served basis, so if you have a Yahrzeit please try to book as early as possible in the week leading up to the Shabbat.
If you do not have access to the website, or have any other barriers to using the online booking system, please contact Pippa Brook for assistance.
NB Three Shabbat services in July will not be bookable, as they were already reserved many months ago for B’nei Mitzvot.
We are taking a host of measures to ensure the safety and protection of all those involved, some of which may seem excessive and cumbersome. In due course I would hope that we might be able to relax them to some extent. The details are on the website, so please make sure you read and adhere to them when you attend a service.
Friday evening services will continue in their present form for the time-being.
High Holy Days
The Trustees and Wardens are also discussing arrangements for Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur, also for Sukkot and Simchat Torah.
All options are being considered, but it is likely that at the very best we will only be able to accommodate a limited number of people in the synagogue itself at any one time. Consequently, we will all have to take turns in attending the various services. Details of these arrangements will be circulated nearer the date, and once there is some clarity regarding the general COVID situation.
In the meantime if you have comments or points to raise regarding services please contact me via email in the first instance –