Shabbat Services: COVID-19 Guidelines
Shabbat Morning Services & Kids' Groups
Ohr Kodesh is offering in-person and Livestreaming options for Shabbat morning services. Join us in whatever manner is best suited to your needs.
Please note, we expect that if you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or have reason to believe you have been exposed to COVID, you will stay home and follow all guidance offered by your doctor and/or the CDC.
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.
Shabbat Groups for Kids
- Kids from either the Indoor or Outdoor Service can attend together.
- There will be no maximum on size of groups.
Wed, February 1 2023
10 Shevat 5783
Kiddush - Together as a Community
Everyone from the Indoor and Outdoor Services will join together.
Seating options: indoors & outdoors.
If you would like to Sponsor an upcoming kiddush, please contact Adina Alpert.
Upcoming Events
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Saturday ,
FebFebruary 4 , 2023Shulchan Ivrit (Hebrew Table) with Katya
Saturday, Feb 4th 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Join Katya to practice Hebrew during Kiddush. All are welcome! -
Saturday ,
FebFebruary 4 , 2023
Saturday, Feb 4th 12:45pm to 3:00pm
After Kiddush is over, games will be played in the Social Hall. This event is open to everyone in the OKC community. -
Sunday ,
FebFebruary 5 , 2023Erev Tu B'shvat at OKC!
Sunday, Feb 5th (All day)
Join us for a day of programming for all ages! We'll have the 3rd Maryland Jewish Choral Festival, a Family Park Cleanup, and the Branching Out Expo