Covid-19 Resources

Get Vaccinated and Boosted!

For the latest information from the state of Massachusetts regarding vaccination, please click HERE, and to register via the MA government site click HERE.

The state of Massachusetts provides in-home vaccinations performed by medical professionals for anyone 5 and older who is unable to get to a vaccine location. Call 833-983-0485 Mon-Fri, 9 am-5 pm to register. Once registered, you will generally be called within five business days to schedule your appointment.

What does it mean to say that a vaccine is n% effective? NYTimes explainer. NPR explainer.

Fully Vaccinated? Read the CDC guidelines on how to protect yourself and others HERE.

CDT's Re-Entry Protocol Committee and Guidelines

Last updated May 13, 2022
In response to the evolving COVID landscape, a Re-entry Protocol Committee was formed in 2020 and has been tasked with following ongoing research as well as federal, state, and municipal policy response and guidelines in order to provide time-sensitive recommendations to the CDT executive committee and board on CDT policy for in-person gatherings, including hybrid programming. Current members: Stacey Chacker, Barbara Beck, David Felson, Paul Hattis, Linette Liebling, Gail Pressberg, Lauren Stefano, Rabbi Toba, and Melissa Colten.

In addition, in December 2021, a Religious School Advisory Group was formed and tasked with providing consultation to our religious school about specific cases, potential closures, and to report on covid research pertaining to the heath and safety of our religious school students and families. Current members: Ellie Baron, Phoebe Cushman, Elizabeth Ferrenz, Jenny Siegel, and Karen Leitner. The Religious School guidelines can be found HERE.

We thank you for your partnership and patience as we work together to celebrate safely. Because the situation with the pandemic is constantly in flux, please know that we will revise these guidelines as circumstances change, and be in touch with Melissa Colten if you have any questions.

Guidelines for in-person gatherings as of May 13, 2022
This spring, we are ready to safely return to having congregational Shabbat services in the sanctuary, including for b'mitzvot, at 100% capacity. Please note that all Shabbat services will continue to be livestreamed via Zoom for guests and congregants who prefer to participate from home.

Seating is 100% capacity.
Vaccination and booster shots are required for all who are eligible. We are maintaining the honor system.
Masks are required ((K)N-95 recommended) and are to be worn by all persons aged 2 and older for the duration of the program / service. CDT will always have masks on hand in case of need. Children aged 0-1 are not required to wear a mask.
Attend only if you are symptom free (without elevated temperature, sore throat, nausea, muscle aches, cough, respiratory symptoms, unexplained rash, and loss of smell or taste) and have not been in contact with anyone with COVID.
For those who have been vaccinated and have severely compromised immune systems, please consult your physician before attending any large-scale gatherings.

INDOORS in the CDT Sanctuary

We are now using our CDT sanctuary at full seating capacity and welcome ALL ages. Please feel free to call Melissa if you have further questions after reading through the guidelines.

Fans are to be on and set in reverse, so that the air flows upwards. Both our CowayMega400 and CowayMega300 air purifiers are to be on throughout the service.
Seating. We will use 100% of our seating capacity (180 persons).
Masks are to worn by all person aged 2 and up throughout the service. Masks will be optional for service participants on the bima only if the participant has received a negative result from a COVID test the morning of the service. If an at-home test is needed, please request one from the office by the Thursday prior to Shabbat.
Vaccination and booster shots are required for all who are eligible. We are maintaining the honor system.
Food will not be allowed in the sanctuary for the time being.

OUTDOOR programming

While outdoor Shabbat services at Gann Academy are no longer taking place, we continue to have outdoor events elsewhere. Please feel free to call Melissa if you have further questions.

Pre-registration is requested. We need to know how many people to expect in order to ensure adequate supplies and seating (if being used) for all attendees.
Masks are not required.
Food may not be shared among households.

How to Take Care of Yourself During the Pandemic

We’ve collected these resources in response to questions we’ve received from our members. Please check back regularly as we continue to add more, and please feel free to send additional resources to us for posting.

• Government Resources about COVID-19
• Testing
• Resources for Emotional and Spiritual Self Care
• Exercise
• Emotional Health for Kids
• Financial Resources
• Educational Resources
• Resources for Kids
• Entertainment Ideas
• Event Listings
• Go to the Theater
• Go to a Museum
• Watch a Movie
• Listen to a Podcast
• Sing or Listen to Music
• Other Great Lists and Resources
• Ways to Help

Exercise

• Advice on Exercising During the Pandemic

• Find a Hiking Trail with AllTrails

• P.E. with Coach Joe

• Sign up for a CDT Walking Buddy

Religious Resources

• Kol Haneshamah, the Reconstructionist siddur

• CDT's All-Ages Erev Shabbat siddur

• Siddur Chaveirim Kol Yisraeil for Friday Evening

• Siddur Hallel v'Zimrah for Shabbat Morning

Mass Support Coping Groups

• For those with children being schooled remotely - 2/2 at 7pm, 2/4 at 11am

• For COVID-19 survivors - 2/9 at 7pm, 2/11 at 11am

• For healthcare and mental health providers - 2/16 at 7pm, 2/18 at 11am

Financial Resources

• the City of Newton has information of various financial resources;

including a fund for help with utilities.

• CJP Warmline, for those needing financial and other assistance

• Yad Chesed, for Jewish individuals and families needing financial assistance

• Masshire page, for those seeking work

• United Way COVID-19 Fund

• FamilyWize discounts on prescription drugs

• US Department of the Treasury Assistance for Small Businesses

• Jewish Re-employment Program, free job search counseling

• Keches Cares, a nonprofit associated with the Keches law group, has opened up funding for those who need any kind of help right now, including assistance filing for unemployment benefits, financial aid, getting groceries or sourcing protective equipment. Learn More & Apply for Assistance

• Frontline Home Benefit Program