Opening up to youth needs

YOUNG PEOPLE are at the heart of updated Covid advice to United Synagogue community leaders.

In a guidance document, US communities’ director Jo Grose and rabbinical council chair Rabbi Nicky Liss outline opportunities to “open up more” as restrictions are relaxed.

A key change is that children are now “encouraged to attend services as long as parents are confident that they will be able to remain in one place”. Those under the age of 11 are not required to wear a face covering.

They point out that children’s and youth programming fall under different sets of government guidance. In compiling the US advice, “we have sought to find ways to enable events to take place while retaining a level of caution”. As such, “full social distancing rules must therefore apply”, with sufficient adult supervision to ensure compliance.

Outdoor events were preferable. If held indoors, the venue should be well ventilated. Face-to-face interactions should be avoided and no food consumed. Attendees, including parents, must book in advance and there will be caps on numbers.

For adult indoor services, the US stresses that congregants must wear masks covering the nose and mouth — visors are not an acceptable alternative. Anyone exempted from wearing a mask must liaise with honorary officers.

Face coverings are not required for outdoor gatherings, where attendees can sing as long as social distancing is maintained and they do not face one another.

Anyone handling a Sefer Torah (or any ritual item other than books) should sanitise their hands before doing so or wear a new pair of disposable gloves.

Rabbis and rebbetzens can invite members for meals or refreshments outside, in line with the latest rules.

Although the majority of US shuls have now reopened for physical services, Ms Grose and Rabbi Liss acknowledged that some people “will not wish to return yet. As a result, it is essential that the online provision remains strong and that those that cannot or are not ready to return do not feel excluded.”

But they added that “following a winter during which many of our shuls closed their doors, we look forward to gathering again as communities to daven, learn, volunteer, mark significant events and enjoy being in the company of each other”.