Shabbat Services: COVID-19 Guidelines

Services in the Main Sanctuary and Livestream 9 AM 

Join Rabbi Helfand and Cantor Labovitz in the Main Sanctuary. These are the guidelines:

• OKC requires all eligible individuals (6 Months and Older) who enter Ohr Kodesh Congregation to be fully vaccinated (and boosted) for COVID-19, unless they have a documented medical exemption. OKC Vaccine Requirement Policy (HERE). 
• The wearing of face masks is optional at all Ohr Kodesh services. 
• Recommended Masking: We hope that members of the OKC community recognize both the individual and communal benefits of mask wearing in reducing the spread of COVID.
  • The OKC Health Committee recommends continued masking for select, vulnerable populations (as identified by the CDC). 
  • Montgomery County MD officials encourage wearing masks indoors at indoor gatherings except while eating and drinking. 
• To give congregants choices, there is a mask-required section in the Sanctuary with 3 feet of distance between rows in the area toward the windows. There are also seating sections that do not require masks or distance between people.
• Masking is optional for Torah gabbaim (assistants), Torah readers, and those receiving aliyot (called up to the Torah) at the shulchan (Torah reading table) or other honors during the Torah reading and while on the bimah (podium).
• We will conduct services as normal, including normal spacing on the bimah (podium). Torah Hakafot (taking the Torah around the Sanctuary) does include touching or kissing the Torah.

Outdoor Service 9:45 AM (see Calendar for schedule)

Lay-led services on the outdoor patio. 

• All Covid-related requirements and considerations for the Main Sanctuary Service (listed above), apply to the Outdoor Service, with the exception of a special seating section. 
• Questions or willing to lead a portion of the service? Contact Rachel Bergstein.