Kesher Pittsburgh’s COVID-19 Policies and Guidelines

Updated August 26, 2022 — subject to revision

Kesher has returned to gathering in-person (in addition to on Zoom), and we continue to learn and assess as the pandemic and our knowledge of it shifts, and as our community’s needs and desires evolve. 

Our in-person gatherings are primarily being held outdoors. Masks are currently optional for outdoor gatherings. Masking will typically be required for indoor events and will be evaluated and updated based on county risk levels. We will communicate our masking guidelines for each event, so that you can make the best possible decision for yourself and your family.  

When feasible, we will make a Zoom option available, including during our monthly Kabbalat Shabbat gatherings.

We know that different people have different needs and different levels of risk tolerance, and that our communal decisions may not be right for your family. We will update these guidelines as necessary.

Please reach out with any questions or concerns to kesherpittsburgh@gmail.com

Over time, our policies are likely to change, but we will remain committed to these values:

Pikuach nefesh (saving a life)

Our top priority is ensuring the physical health and safety of all community members. We will continue to monitor advances in the scientific understanding of COVID-19 transmission and vaccine efficacy. We will be as strict (or stricter) than CDC guidelines and local regulations.

Kehillah (community) 

As a diverse community, we each have different physical, emotional, and spiritual needs and desires. We have each experienced and been impacted by the pandemic in different ways. Our relationship with Zoom is also varied - for some of us it has increased access, while for others it has been prohibitory. 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’tzelem Elohim (made in the Divine image, with inherent dignity) and we are committed to living this value. While many of us are now vaccinated, not everyone is able to get a vaccine - children under 6-months-old remain ineligible and people with certain health conditions are advised not to get the vaccine. Furthermore, vaccinated people with autoimmune disorders may be less protected by the vaccine. Therefore, as we begin to have in-person events, we will continue to follow COVID safety precautions, and we will continue to offer virtual options. We will also take physical accessibility and transportation accessibility into account when choosing in-person locations.

Emotional well-being

While physical health is paramount, we also take seriously the emotional and spiritual health of community members. The pandemic has been an isolating time for many. It has been full of uncertainty, anxiety, loss and grief. 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.

As a part of the Kesher community, we ask everyone who attends our events:

Protect one another by promoting public health policy and encouraging vaccination for all who are able to obtain it; and actively support and follow masking and social distancing requirements at Kesher events.

PLEASE DO NOT attend any in-person events if:

  • In the past 14 days you or someone in your household has had any symptoms of COVID, including but not limited to: coughing loss of sense of taste or smell, difficulty breathing, feelings of flushing, aches or chills, nausea/vomiting, sore throat, pneumonia/flu symptoms, an usual fever (of 100°F / 38°C) or higher.

  • In the past 14 days you or someone in your household has had a positive diagnostic test for COVID, even if you or they did not develop symptoms.

  • You or someone in your household has a pending diagnostic test for COVID.

  • You or your household are currently instructed to quarantine for any reason (e.g., a possible exposure at your child's school, etc.).

  • You or the household member are unvaccinated and in the past seven days you or they have been in close contact (within six feet for at least 15 minutes) with someone who has subsequently tested positive for COVID.

Please alert us immediately if you or someone in your household tested positive for COVID-19, become aware that you had exposure to someone with COVID-19, or develop symptoms of COVID-19 within two weeks after attending a Kesher gathering, so that appropriate notifications and/or quarantine procedures can be implemented. Please notify us by emailing kesherpittsburgh@gmail.com so that we can take appropriate action to minimize exposure risk while upholding anonymity.