Congregation Tikvat Jacob COVID Protocols February 2022 Guiding Principles

The safety and health of congregants and staff is our first priority. We want to be together, but we uphold the value of pikuach nefesh, human life above all else, and we must ensure we are protecting our most vulnerable populations. These COVID protocols apply to our building and anywhere we hold classes or events. 

Indoor Religious Services and Events

This section describes protocols for indoor services, including b’nai mitzvot (additional b’nai mitzvot guidelines apply – please see the following section). These guidelines apply to staff, clergy, congregants, guests, and anyone else in attendance.

  • Masking: Everyone ages 3 and older must wear properly fitted masks at all times.

  • Eating: Eating and drinking is not permitted. 

  • Social Distancing: Seating is socially distanced by households/cohorts.

  • Capacity: Indoor sanctuary capacity is limited to 75.

  • Vaccinations: Vaccination is full vaccination plus booster (if adequate time has passed). Attendees must provide vaccination documentation. Attendees must upload their vaccination cards by the Tuesday before the service. Unvaccinated attendees must submit documentation of a negative PCR test taken within the previous 48 hours prior to the service. Results must be provided to the Office at least 4 hours before the event starts.

  • Registration: Attendees must register in advance. The registration list is checked against the vaccination documentation and verified at the door. 

  • Self-Screen: Attendees must self-screen before coming to CTJ. If an attendee answers “yes” to any of the self-screening questions, he/she must stay home.


Outdoor Religious Services and Events

This section describes protocols for outdoor services and events. These guidelines apply to staff, clergy, congregants, guests, and anyone else in attendance.

  • Masking: Everyone ages 3 and older must wear properly fitted masks at all times. Masks may be removed when eating or drinking.

  • Eating: Eating and drinking is permitted. 

  • Social Distancing: Social distancing is encouraged but not required. 

  • Vaccinations: There are no vaccination requirements. 

  • Registration: Advance registration is required.

  • Self-Screen: Attendees must self-screen before coming to CTJ. If an attendee answers “yes” to any of the self-screening questions, he/she must stay home.


Special Protocols for B’Nai Mitzvah

These protocols for b’nai mitzvot are in addition to the protocols described under “Indoor Religious Services and Events” unless otherwise noted.

  • Masking: The b’nai mitzvah may remove his/her mask as the “main performer” (per Los Angeles County Public Health guidelines) with all other guests fully masked and at least 12 feet away.

  • Guest Count: The b’nai mitzvah family may invite up to 75 guests. The guest list must be provided to the Executive Director at least 10 days prior to the event. Community members will attend online.

  • Vaccinations: Vaccination requirements are full compliment of shots and booster if adequate time has passed. Attendees must upload vaccination documentation via the Formstack form by the Tuesday before the b’nai mitzvah. PCR test results must be received at least 4 hours prior to the start of the ceremony. Alternatively, the b’nai mitzvah family may opt for an alternative testing plan. Under an alternative testing plan, the b’nai mitzvah family would provide for its guests, at its own cost, same-day rapid antigen testing performed by a certified company on the day of the event. Results must be available at least 15 minutes prior to the b’nai mitzvah start time. If the family wishes to choose this option, it must let the Executive Director know at least 10 days prior to the event.

  • Eating: Eating and drinking is permitted outside only. Families are not required to provide kiddush lunch.

  • Self-Screen: If a b’nai mitzvah and/or family members answer “yes” to any of the self-screening questions and is/are unable to attend in person, all arrangements will be made to have a Torah delivered to his/her house for a beautiful online service.

  • Celebrations: The b’nai mitzvah policy shall be modified to encourage families to notify guests if there has been a positive COVID case at an off-site reception. Although CTJ cannot enforce a notification requirement for off-site, after-hours receptions, we want our families to help keep the community safe and healthy. 


Vendors and Caterers

Preference will be given to vendors and caterers that can provide vaccination documentation for all staff who will be on the premises. Regardless of vaccination status, CTJ will make every attempt to schedule work during times when others are not in the building and will provide notification of the vendor’s location to anyone on the premises.  


Contact Tracing

CTJ has an administrative and moral obligation to notify attendees of a possible exposure. Anyone who tests positive for COVID within 7 days of attending an event at CTJ is requested to notify the Executive Director. The Executive Director will notify all those who attended the event to let them know there was a positive test. If it was an indoor event, quarantine protocols should be followed for close contacts. If it was an outdoor event, quarantine is not necessary, although regardless of event location, attendees are encouraged to monitor for symptoms.


Self-Screening Assessment

Anyone who plans to come to a CTJ facility, school, or event must answer the following self-screening questions every time they visit. If the person answers “yes” to any of the questions, he/she must stay home. Employees must then follow the protocols in the “Quarantine and Additional Testing” section. Students can return to school once they no longer answer “yes” to any of the questions.


  • Over the past 48 hours have you/your child had any of the following new symptoms that are not related to another condition? 

    • Cough

    • Congestion or runny nose

    • Headache

    • Sore throat

    • Digestive problems

    • Nausea or vomiting

  • In the past 48 hours, have you/your child felt feverish or had a measured temperature greater than 100.4°?

  • In the past 10 days have you come into close contact with, or do you live in a household with a person who has COVID-19 symptoms who is waiting to take a COVID-19 test, is waiting for test results, or has a confirmed case of COVID-19? Close contact is defined as less than 6 feet away from an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. For students only: a close contact also requires them to be unmasked. 

  • Are you awaiting the results of a COVID test?

  • For students only: Are you under orders to quarantine from extracurricular activities by your school district and/or medical professional? For adults: Are you under orders to quarantine by your employer and/or medical professional?


Policy Review

This policy shall be reviewed by the Board subcommittee and senior staff every 2 months.