Covid-19 Resources

Last updated October 14, 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: Phoebe Cushman, Elizabeth Ferrenz, Stephen Gomperts, and Jenny Siegel. 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 August 4, 2022
We are ready to safely return to having congregational Shabbat services in the sanctuary, including for b'nei mitzvah, 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 is required for all who are eligible; booster shots recommended. 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 within 24 hours of the service. If an at-home test is needed, please request one from the office by the Thursday prior to Shabbat.
• Vaccination is required for all who are eligible; booster shots recommended. We are maintaining the honor system.
• Food will not be allowed in the sanctuary for the time being.

OUTDOOR programming

We continue to have outdoor events. 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.

Government Resources about COVID-19
 

• CDC Guidance 

• Newton Resource Page
     • Mental Health Resources
     • Social services, including food assistance

• Brookline Resource Page
     • Emotional Health Resources

• Boston Resource Page

• ​​​​​​​Cambridge Resource Page

• ​​​​​​​Somerville Health Department

  US Department of the Treasury Assistance for Small Businesses

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

Resources for Kids

      Emotional Health

     • Supporting Children's Wellbeing

     • 5 Ways to Help Children Cope with Coronavirus Anxiety

     Education

     • Math Games –  Games for 3–6 year olds that families can play together

     • Science Activities for Families

     • EDC’s Zoom In! – 18 free U.S. history units that build students’ literacy skills

     • Scholastic's Learn at Home

     • PBS Kids: Design Squad Global

     • National Geographic Kids

       Jennifer Stanchfield's blog - for educators now working online

     Listen to Stories

     • Storyline Online

     Read a Book

     • PJ Library has Jewish picture books, including some books online

     • PJ our Way has books for older kids

     For Teens

     • Join Temple Israel's Virtual Tent

     • Infectious Diseases – Four free lessons to help teens and young adults understand infectious diseases and make informed decisions

Other Great Lists and Resources

• Educational Development Center's Resources for the COVID-19 Crisis

• My Quarantine List

• Resources for Jews of Color & Multiracial Families