Health Equity Brit (covenant)

Updated February 24, 2026 by Rabbi Miriam Geronimus & the CJC Access Team

NOTE 2/24/26: The Access Team asked about masking in our recent Access Survey. The vast majority of respondents (86.5%) indicated that they feel safe and comfortable with required masking. You can read our FAQ here.

All members and guests at in-person gatherings are expected to follow this brit (covenant)

We are committed to protecting our community and minimizing the risk of illness for folks who are immunocompromised. We ask that you prioritize the ways your actions impact the health of others by following the brit (covenant) below. 

CJC will provide KN95 (or similar) masks and hand sanitizer at all events. We will use a medical-grade HEPA filter when indoors, and gather outdoors when possible. At all indoor events with meals, we will make sure to have designated socially-distant and/or outdoor eating areas for those who prefer. We cannot completely eliminate risk, and we urge you to make decisions about in-person attendance that are best for you and your loved ones. 

This brit is a living document, regularly updated by the Access Team in order to meet the evolving needs of our community. We will update the community any time changes are made and explain why we have made those changes.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Rabbi Miriam (here) or members of the Access Team at any time.

The values that inform our policy are below the brit.

Health Equity Brit (covenant)

Out of care for everyone in the community, in order to attend in-person CJC events, I agree to the following community guidelines:

  1. I certify that I am vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 to the extent that I am eligible and/or to the extent advised by my healthcare provider(s).
  2. I will mask at ALL indoor CJC events, wearing a well-fitting KN95 or similar.
    • Masking is optional during meals.
    • Masking is not required for those who cannot mask for an accessibility reason.
      • We trust your judgement about your access needs, whether physical or psychological, and know that they can be fluid and invisible. If you are unsure if you have a relevant access need, please feel free to reach out to Rabbi Miriam or a member of the Access Team to have a conversation.
    • Masking is not required for children under 2 years old.
    • Masking is optional at Nariya Kabbalat Shabbat, which is a collaboration with several other communities with varying masking policies.
  3. I will NOT attend in-person CJC events IF:
    1. I am currently sick or someone I live with is currently sick (not just COVID).
    2. I have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days, even if I did not develop symptoms. I will not come to an in-person CJC event until I test negative and it has been 10 days since COVID symptoms began or I first tested positive.
    3. (Being sick refers to transmissible diseases and does not include things like allergies. If you’re not sure why you’re feeling sick, please err on the side of safety.)

Thank you for doing your part to care for our community and keep each other safe!

Health Equity Values

While our health equity brit has changed over time, we remain committed to these values:

Pikuach nefesh (saving a life)

Our top priority is ensuring the physical health and safety of all community members. Our policy reflects the latest medical science and public health best practices.

Kehillah (community) 

As a diverse community, we each have different physical, emotional, and spiritual needs and desires. We are committed to taking these various needs into account and balancing them as best we’re able. 

Equity and accessibility

Jewish tradition teaches that everyone is b’tselem Elohim (made in the divine image, with inherent dignity) and we are committed to living this value. We commit to policy that centers equity and accessibility, centering the needs of those who are immunocompromised and/or disabled.

Emotional well-being

While physical health is paramount, we also take seriously the emotional and spiritual health of community members. As a community, we strive to help each other find connection, solace, grounding, and joy.

Transparency and Communication

As decisions change, we will be transparent about those decisions and the decision-making process.