Health Equity Brit (covenant)
Updated June 6, 2023 by Rabbi Miriam Geronimus & the CJC Gatherings Team
In order to attend in-person gatherings, read the guidelines below and then sign our brit.
At this point in the pandemic, we are shifting our policy toward health equity more broadly, not only in terms of COVID-19. We are committed to minimizing the risk of illness of any kind 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 continue to provide surgical masks and hand sanitizer. We will use a medical-grade HEPA filter when indoors, and gather outdoors when possible. 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.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Rabbi Miriam (here) or Gatherings Team Lead Emma Reed (here) at any time. Our public health policy continues to be iterative, and we welcome all feedback. The values that inform our policy are below the brit.
CJC will continue to monitor the pandemic and adapt our brit based on transmission rates and new information.
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:
- 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).
- I will MASK at indoor CJC events IF:
- I am asymptomatic but may have been exposed to someone who is sick (not just COVID) in the past 5 days. This includes if you have been at a large indoor gathering or have traveled on a plane.
- (If you have no recent exposures, masks are now optional.)
- I will NOT attend in-person CJC events IF:
- I am currently sick or someone I live with is currently sick (not just COVID). I will not come to an in-person CJC event until 10 days after symptoms begin.
- I have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days, even if I did not develop symptoms.
- (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.)
- I will alert Rabbi Miriam at 734-645-3647 or rabbi@clevelandjewishcollective.org if I test positive for COVID-19 or develop symptoms of COVID-19 within 5 days of attending a CJC event, so that she can notify others who were present.
Thank you for doing your part to care for our community and keep each other safe!
Health Equity Values
While our public health policy 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, taking into account 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.