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The Delta Variant
The Delta variant continues to be a source of elevated public health risk. We are still learning about this highly contagious variant as there is as of yet not sufficient data, and the data we have is undetermined. At the same time, the public health and medical community from Boston to Washington to Israel have expressed serious concern about the Delta variant based on transmission rates especially among those unvaccinated, and “breakthrough” cases even among those already vaccinated including serious illness. 

Middlesex County Upgraded to Substantial Transmission Risk
At this time, the CDC has designated 12 of the 14 Counties in Massachusetts as experiencing high or substantial COVID-19 transmission. Middlesex County, which includes Newton, is currently experiencing substantial COVID-19 transmission, defined by the CDC as 50 cases per 100,000 people in a seven-day period. Click Here. The current CDC Advisory reads: “To maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.” Click Here.

New Policies & Protocols
For now, effective October 6, 2021, in light of the changing COVID19 situation, our new Shul policies are as follows:

Shaarei Indoors: 

• Masks properly fitted over the nose and mouth are REQUIRED for ALL participants. Children wearing a mask are allowed indoors.
• Participants should practice social distancing (6 feet+).
• The Ba’al Koreh will take all the aliyot.
• Hashkamah Shabbat indoor-service will have Kiddush outdoors.

Shaarei Outdoors: 

• Masks are required during aliyot, and recommended at all other times.
• Participants should practice social distancing (3 feet+).
• We are sensitive to people having different comfort levels so we will be offering Kiddush with a variety of options. We plan to have multiple tables around the tent. We ask that poeple stay masked when getting food from a table and not eat/drink at the Kiddush table. We plan to designate one table for "vaccinated adults only" and also have a family-friendly table. 

Unchanged both indoors and outdoors:

• Singing in a normal speaking volume is permitted.
• No need for single-use bathrooms.
• No surface-contact restrictions. 

Thank you for partnering with us in our endeavor to be a kehillah kedoshah - a values-driven sacred community. With all this uncertainty, one thing is certain – together, as a community, we will safely and meaningfully continue our mission of Torah, Tefillah and Chesed with gracious and generous communal spirit!

Rabbi Benjamin J. Samuels
Alex Klibaner, President


3 Recommendations from Newton’s Health and Human Services Department 

Recommendation #1: If you are not yet vaccinated, we strongly encourage you to get vaccinated. If you need assistance getting a vaccine, please go to vaxfinder.mass.gov to locate one. If you have questions and concerns regarding the vaccine, please contact your medical provider or call Newton’s Health and Human Services Department (HHS) at 617-796-1420. 

Recommendation #2:If you feel unwell, you should stay at home. While this is always good practice, it is critically important during this pandemic to limit the spread of the virus. 

Recommendation #3: We strongly encourage anyone experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 to isolate from others as soon as possible and get tested for COVID-19, regardless of your vaccination status. You can find nearby testing locations at mass.gov/covid-19-testing. Common symptoms of COVID-19 include: Fever, chills or shaking chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, fatigue, headache, body aches, new loss of sense of taste or smell. The following site provides more information about testing including what to do if your test is positive: mass.gov/info-details/about-covid-19-testing#should-i-be-tested?.