We are looking forward to a joyous and meaningful High Holidays at Kehillat Israel.  I want to thank everyone who is devoting so much time, energy, and imagination to making these special days truly special.

For the past two years the presence of the COVID 19 virus in our community has caused us to adjust what we normally do, and I am disappointed to report that 2022 will also be affected by COVID.

Our current policy, based on recommendations from our Reopening Committee (primarily Drs. Jonathan Gold, Liz Kaufman, and Nigel Paneth), is as follows:

• Everyone should fully vaccinated and boostered,
• Mask wearing is recommended inside the synagogue,
• We should try to maintain social distancing when eating indoors.

These policy recommendations have stood us in good stead so far, and I want to thank the committee for its diligence.  However, the recent uptick in cases in the State of Michigan and in Ingham County combined with the higher attendance that always occurs at the High Holidays has caused the Reopening Committee to add another recommendation for the High Holidays:

• It is recommended that everyone should self-test at home before coming to the synagogue for High Holiday services and stay at home, obviously, if the test is positive.

Further, I want to tell you in advance that we will be offering food after services on both days of Rosh Hashanah as well as a break-fast after Neilah to mark the end of Yom Kippur.  It will be a challenge to maintain appropriate social distancing on these occasions, but we are working on solutions that ought to keep us safe.  Of course, no one is obliged to eat on these occasions (medical conditions aside).  Further, I should add that no one is obliged to attend our services in person.  We will again be offering all services on Zoom.

Shana tova,

Doug Moffat