TBI's Response to COVID

Our Current Policy

COVID POLICY

Effective 10/14/22:

Masks are recommended but not required.
Anyone at high risk of getting very sick should consider avoiding non-essential indoor activities, and should wear a high-quality mask when indoors in public.
When possible, people should practice social distancing.
Food and beverages are allowed indoors.

If you have symptoms, get tested. If you have COVID-19 or have had recent exposure to an infected person comply with CDC guidance. See CDC guidance here.

We encourage all eligible individuals to get vaccinated and boosted.

The policy of the COVID Task Force reflects CDC guidance and the current transmission status in Kalamazoo County. See the current COVID-19 Dashboard here.

The policy will be updated as conditions change.

How Our Faith Drives Our COVID Policy

The COVID-19 Task Force has been working together since March 2020, regularly updating our congregational approach to COVID-19. This page will have the most up-to-date policy from the COVID Task Force.

The Board of TBI approved the installation of hardware to make live-streaming significantly easier, and we also continue to use Zoom for many activities/meetings/services/etc.

The values we continue to lift up are:

Pikuah Nefesh “Safeguarding Life” – which is a bedrock principle of Jewish law, and supersedes most other obligations or mitzvot.
She’at Hadehak “Extraordinary Moment” – which teaches us that extraordinary moments require change, flexibility and compassion for one another.
Kol Yisrael Areivim Zeh Bazeh “We Are Responsible for One Another” – which teaches us that we must look out for the well being and safety of one another. Whether that means our mental, physical or emotional well being.
Hesed “Profound Love and Kindness” – which teaches us that every one of our actions should come from a place of love and kindness.