October 26, 2022 Update

Effective October 31, 2022, the Board of Trustees has approved masks being optional throughout the campus including the Administrative common areas and the Preschool. Administrative Staff can still require masks for in-person meetings within their offices. If you’d like to meet in person with one of our staff members, please be prepared to wear a mask, or contact them in advance for their preferences. Online and telephonic meetings are still available.

If you are feeling sick, please remain at home and join us virtually.

 

June 21, 2022 Update

Following CDC Guidance, we're making the following changes:

Starting Saturday, June 25, 2022, masks will be optional, but strongly encouraged in the Rabbi Eisen Beit Midrash. Please be respectful of those around you, or move to a less crowded space if you choose to not wear a mask.

If you are feeling sick, please remain at home and join us virtually.

Masks are still required for all those in the:

• Preschool
• Administration office

April 4, 2022 Update

Following CDC Guidance, we're making the following changes:

Masks are required for all those in the:

• Preschool
• Administration office
• Beit Midrash

Masks are encouraged for all those in the:

• Sanctuary 
• Outside areas
• All other areas of the Synagogue

We will no longer require social distancing throughout our campus.

If you are feeling sick, please remain at home and join us virtually.

 

March 8, 2022 Update

Following CDC Guidance, we're making the following changes:

With the utmost respect to our more at-risk congregants and clergy, we will still require masks and social distancing in the sanctuary for Shabbat services. People participating in spoken honors on the bimah will once again be allowed to remove their mask during their honor. We will continue to have several services and events available online for those who are not able to attend in-person, and we will have some services and events only available in-person. We will also start to have other in-person events where masking will be optional, and we will communicate those as they arise.

Our beautiful weather in the desert will continue to allow us to offer Kiddish, Shabbat dinners and holiday events in our outdoor areas. We will move food events indoors when it becomes too warm or wet outside. We will no longer routinely offer individually wrapped food items with return to buffet and family style serving options for food. We will still offer a limited number of to-go boxes at Kiddish for those who choose not to stay and mingle. We look forward to resuming more schmoozing opportunities with the warmth of our communal gatherings that we know and love. 

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and adjust our policies accordingly. 

January 25, 2022 Update

Following CDC Guidance, we're making the following changes:

• Face masks are required for all attendees ages 2 and up at indoor events, including speaking honors while on the Bimah. 
• B'nai Mitzvah students and their parents will be permitted to remove their masks when speaking on the Bimah.
• Kiddush options in Rabbi Breger Hall – masks can be removed when eating/drinking indoors
• Continuing Hybrid Services so that everyone can participate

IMPORTANT

The Lynne Falkow-Strauss Foyer is the main entrance to the Preschool and thus, needs to follow the Preschool protocols – masks are required for all.

 

July 30, 2021 Update

Following CDC Guidance, we're making the following changes:

• Masks are required indoors for anyone over 2 years of age while Tucson & Pima County remain an area of substantial transmission (or higher)
• Kiddush options in Rabbi Breger Hall – masks can be removed when eating/drinking indoors
• Shabbat and Holiday honors – masks can be removed for speaking honors when on the bimah
• Continuing Hybrid Services so that everyone can participate

IMPORTANT

The Lynne Falkow-Strauss Foyer is the main entrance to the Preschool and thus, needs to follow the Preschool protocols – masks are required for all.

July 2, 2021 Update

Following CDC Guidance, we're making the following changes:

• Masks optional for those fully vaccinated
• Indoor family programs with children under 12-years-old will still require masks for all attendees
• Expanded Kiddush options in Rabbi Breger Hall
• No need to sign up in advance
• More open seats in the Sanctuary & Rabbi Robert J. Eisen Beit Midrash
• Additional Shabbat and Holiday honors
• Continuing Hybrid Services so that everyone can participate

Thanks to our amazing volunteers on the COVID-19 Response Task Force and all of our amazing congregants.

Here are all of the details:

Based on CDC guidance and the COVID-19 Response Task Force recommendations, the CAI Board of Trustees has adopted the following amended protocols for our campus, effective immediately.

• Mask options: Masks will be optional for those that are fully vaccinated for most programs (including Kabbalat Shabbat service, Shabbat morning service and Kiddush). For those that are not fully vaccinated, masks are required to be worn indoors.
• Different options for different needs. Hybrid services with virtual options will still be offered for our at-home participants.
• Keeping the kids safe. Masks will continue to be required for all attendees for any indoor family-centric programs/services targeting children under 12 years old (including Tot Shabbat, Family Shabbat, Mishpachah programs).
• A/C available. Kiddush and other indoor food events may be held. Kiddush to-go boxes will still be provided for those that are unable to stay with us inside. All food will either be individually boxed/wrapped or on a buffet line with a server wearing a mask and gloves.
• We're ready for you! Advance signup for services will no longer be required.
• More seats. Social distancing in the Sanctuary and Rabbi Robert J. Eisen Beit Midrash has been updated to every other row being completely open.
• Even more seats. Sanctuary capacity has been increased to 300 attendees at this time. This still allows for social distancing during our upcoming simchas this summer.
• Back to a bimah near you… We will be adding more Shabbat and holiday honors in coming weeks and months.
• Keeping the youngest ones safe. The Esther B. Feldman Preschool adheres to a separate set of guidelines.

We will continue to closely monitor the situation. Protocols may be updated at any time if necessary.

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June 4, 2021 Update

We're Listening and Responding

 We're Doing Our Best to Meet Your Spiritual Needs in the Safest and Most Comfortable Ways We Can

With the recent announcements of the CDC easing their COVID-19 guidelines, the Arizona Department of Health rolling back public gathering restrictions, and the dramatic decrease in the rate of infection in Pima County, the CAI Board of Trustees has adopted the following amended protocols for attendance at services, effective immediately:

Kiddish-to-Go

We are thrilled to be offering Kiddush to-go boxes following Shabbat morning services! We ask that for now, you take your box to go, and we look forward to a time when we can eat together again soon.

No More Masks – Outdoors

Masks are no longer required when outdoors on CAI property or at an event outdoors on behalf of CAI when remaining socially distant from those outside your pods. We look forward to schmoozing with you on the Rabbi Oleisky Courtyard.

Masks Inside – For Safety of Children and Vulnerable Adults

Even if you have been vaccinated, we ask that you remain masked while in the building for now. We understand that this can be an inconvenience and, in the view of some, unnecessary. Nevertheless, with respect for the members of our congregational family who remain concerned about the risk of contamination and out of an abundance of caution for the children who have not yet had the opportunity to be vaccinated, we are continuing the practice of mask wearing while indoors.

Increasing Our Seating Capacity

We are increasing the attendance inside the sanctuary to 175 individuals. This will still allow for social distancing for some of our larger simchas and services coming up. Please click here continue to sign-up in advance here.

Amazing Volunteer Leaders

With our deep gratitude to our COVID-19 Response Task Force who have guided us to this point, we are eager to see you back in our building enjoying all of the services and programs we have in store for the coming weeks and months.

Keep Watching for Updates

We will communicate any safety protocol updates as they are approved and our High Holy Days plans in July.

Wishing you all a very safe and cool summer!

 

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April 28, 2021 Update

Hybrid services begin this weekend with an opportunity to attend in-person services in our Sanctuary!

Friday Night In-Person Services

In addition to our virtual Zoom services, beginning this Friday, April 30, 2021, Kabbalat Shabbat services at 5:45pm will also be held in the Sanctuary, and will be limited to 50 people (not including clergy and staff). Participants must pre-register by the prior Thursday at 4pm. Priority will be given to members first, and then guests. To make your reservation, please sign up HERE or contact Executive Assistant, Amber Page either by email ExecAssist@caiaz.org or by phone 520-745-5550. 

Saturday Morning In-Person Services

In addition to our virtual Zoom services, beginning this Saturday, May 1, 2021, Shabbat morning services at 9am will also be held in the Sanctuary, and will be limited to 50 people (not including clergy and staff). Participants must pre-register by the prior Thursday at 4pm. Priority will be given to members first, and then guests. To make your reservation, please sign up HERE or contact Executive Assistant, Amber Page either by email ExecAssist@caiaz.org or by phone 520-745-5550.

Continued Virtual Options – Including Options for Virtual Participants

All services will continue to be available on Zoom for those that are unable to join us in person. We will be holding hybrid services, with honors available in-person and at-home for Kabbalat Shabbat and Shabbat morning. Weekday minyan will continue to be only virtual at this time.

With the guidance from our COVID-19 Response Task Force and due to the decline in COVID-19 positive cases and the growing numbers of individuals who have received the vaccine, the Board of Trustees has accepted the COVID-19 Response Task Force’s recommendation to begin programming and services indoors. This is a link to a paper discussing the Conservative Judaic perspective of the COVID vaccine.

Safety Precautions

All health guidelines from the Center for Disease Control (“CDC”), Arizona Department of Health Services (“AZDHS”) and Pima County Department of Health (“PCDH”) will be followed. Any future decisions either to increase attendance or suspend in-person programming will continue to be guided by several key metrics gathered from the AZDHS and PCDH Covid-19 “dashboards,” and our COVID-19 Response Task Force. 

Attendance will be by reservation only, with required mask wearing and socially distant seating. If you will be attending any in-person services and programs at Congregation Anshei Israel or off-campus and held on behalf of Congregation Anshei Israel, we ask that you fully comply with all guidelines and requirements. Please wear a mask that fully covers your mouth and nose, respect social distance guidelines from anyone outside of your household or social bubble and follow all instructions upon check in. 

This plan for in-person gatherings was created in consultation with medical and public health professionals. We have included guidance from the Pima County Department of Health, Center for Disease Control and the Arizona Department of Health Services.

For the safety of the entire community, Gabbai’im or Ushers will be available to help with any questions or difficulties adhering to our current protocols.

If we are unable to achieve compliance and/or if community spread of COVID-19 increases significantly above current levels, the in-person opportunities will be suspended again until it is deemed safer.

Guidelines/Protocols (Please note the additions for indoor services)

• Doors will open 15 minutes before each service, and we ask all in-person participants to leave the sanctuary immediately following services to allow for cleaning protocols to begin. You’re welcome to stay and schmooze in the Rabbi Oleisky Courtyard.
• Attendees are requested to maintain at least 6 feet from those who do not live in their household or social bubble. If you have formed a social bubble outside of your household during this time, you may continue to sit with them.
• Anyone over the age of 2 years old, must bring a mask from home and always wear it inside and outside the synagogue (fully covering your mouth and nose). Masks will be required for all indoor and outdoor services and programs. Masks with valves are not acceptable. If you do not bring a mask, one will be provided for you. 
• Food or drink (other than a personal water bottle) are not permitted in the building or courtyard areas. There will be no food and drinks provided at this time.
• Siddurim (Prayer books) will be provided for services, please make sure to leave it on your chair when leaving. Prayer Books will be stored for at least one week between uses. If you checked out a siddur and would prefer to bring and use your loaned copy, please do so.
• Please bring your own Tallitot (Prayer Shawls) and Kippot (head coverings). Additional will be available if needed. If you need to borrow one, please be sure to place it in the “used” pile when leaving. Used ritual items will be stored for at least one week between uses.
• All chairs, exposed surfaces and worship areas will be cleaned between all programs.
• Fans will remain on and the Sanctuary doors will remain open for additional air flow during services, please dress in layers if needed.
• If you feel unwell or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms (including, but not limited to: shortness of breath, fever, persistent cough, loss of taste and/or smell) we ask that you please reschedule your reservation and stay home.

Keep your eyes peeled for another High Holy Days survey that we will be sending out soon. Thank you for your cooperation and support as we move back to in-person programming.

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April 1, 2021 Update

As we celebrate the transition from slavery to freedom, and remember the plagues of long ago, we are excited to share news of a little more freedom from that which has been plaguing us for over a year.

Friday Night In-Person Services

In addition to our virtual Zoom services and weather permitting, beginning on Friday, April 9, 2021, Kabbalat Shabbat services at 5:45pm will also be held in the outdoor Sukkah area, and will be limited to 50 people (not including clergy and staff). Participants must pre-register by the prior Thursday at 4pm. Priority will be given to members first, and then guests. To make your reservation, please sign up HERE or contact Executive Assistant, Amber Page either by email ExecAssist@caiaz.org or by phone 520-745-5550. 

Saturday Morning In-Person Services

In addition to our virtual Zoom services and weather permitting, beginning on Saturday, April 17, 2021, Shabbat morning services at 9am will also be held in the outdoor Sukkah area, and will be limited to 50 people (not including clergy and staff). Participants must pre-register by the prior Thursday at 4pm. Priority will be given to members first, and then guests. To make your reservation, please sign up HERE or contact Executive Assistant, Amber Page either by email ExecAssist@caiaz.org or by phone 520-745-5550.

Continued Virtual Options – Including Options for Virtual Participants

All services will continue to be available on Zoom for those that are unable to join us in person. We will be holding hybrid services, with honors available in-person and at-home for Kabbalat Shabbat and Shabbat morning. Weekday minyan will continue to be only virtual at this time.

When we suspended in person gatherings last March, we assured you that we would re-open as soon as it was safe. With the guidance from our COVID-19 Response Task Force and due to the decline in COVID-19 positive cases and the growing numbers of individuals who have received the vaccine, the Board of Trustees is comfortable moving forward and hopeful that we will be able to move indoors (again, with limitations) soon. This is a link to a paper discussing the Conservative Judaic perspective of the COVID vaccine.

Safety Precautions

All health guidelines from the Center for Disease Control (“CDC”), Arizona Department of Health Services (“AZDHS”) and Pima County Department of Health (“PCDH”) will be followed. Any future decisions either to increase attendance or suspend in-person programming will continue to be guided by several key metrics gathered from the AZDHS and PCDH Covid-19 “dashboards,” and our COVID-19 Response Task Force. 

Attendance will be by reservation only, with required mask wearing and socially distant seating. To ensure our members, clergy and staff may worship in a safe and healthy environment, we are taking an “above and beyond” approach to comply with local and state guidance. If you will be attending any in-person services and programs at Congregation Anshei Israel or off-campus and held on behalf of Congregation Anshei Israel, we ask that you fully comply with all guidelines and requirements. This includes wearing a mask that fully covers your mouth and nose, remaining at least six feet apart from anyone outside of your household and following all instructions upon check in. 

This plan for in-person gatherings was created in consultation with medical and public health professionals. We have included (and exceeded) detailed guidance from the Pima County Department of Health, Center for Disease Control and the Arizona Department of Health Services.

Our protocols will be strictly enforced; for the safety of the entire community, anyone who cannot comply will not be permitted to attend and will be asked to leave.

If we are unable to achieve compliance and/or if community spread of COVID-19 increases significantly above current levels, the in-person opportunities will be suspended again until it is deemed safer.

 Guidelines/Protocols

• Doors will open 15 minutes before each service, and we ask all in-person participants to leave the Sukkah area immediately following services to allow for cleaning protocols to begin. 

• Congregants are requested to maintain at least 6 feet from those who do not live in their household at all times.

• Anyone over the age of 2 years old, must bring a mask from home and always wear it inside and outside the synagogue (fully covering your mouth and nose). Masks will be required for outside services and programs. Masks with valves are not acceptable. If you do not bring a mask, one will be provided for you. 

• Food or drink (other than a personal water bottle) are not permitted in the building or courtyard areas. There will be no food and drinks provided and no in-person Kiddush following services. 

• Siddurim (Prayer books) will be provided for services, please make sure to leave it on your chair when leaving and do not put it back in the bookshelf. Prayer Books will be stored for at least one week between uses. If you checked out a siddur and would prefer to bring and use your loaned copy, please do so.

• Please bring your own Tallitot (Prayer Shawls) and Kippot (head coverings). Additional will be available if needed. If you need to borrow one, please be sure to put it in the “used” pile when leaving. Used ritual items will be stored for at least one week between uses.

• All chairs, exposed surfaces and worship areas will be cleaned between all programs.

Thank you for your cooperation and support as we move back to in-person programming. 

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January 2021 Update

Dear Congregants,

The COVID-19 Task Force has been busy behind the scenes helping our staff navigate the pandemic. The COVID-19 Response Task Force is a volunteer group of congregants that include physicians, nurses, public health experts, and ritual lay leaders in addition to staff and clergy. The goal of the committee is to help provide guidance and develop policies and procedures to balance the needs of our congregants while ensuring the safety and well-being of our community, clergy and staff. Policies recommended by the Task Force are then brought forward to the Board of Trustees for approval.

The concept of pekuach nefesh (sanctity of life) serves as the foundation on which the Task Force bases decisions. The Task Force then uses accepted guidelines, such as those of the CDC and Pima County Health Department, to develop safe policies and procedures for our congregation. Decisions are also discussed with clergy to make sure they are in line with halachic principles. When judgment calls need to be made, the Task Force considers the wide range of opinions and approaches that may be taken. To help guide our efforts, we conducted a survey of our members to make sure our members’ voices were heard.

Based on the recommendations and guidelines set to date, and thanks to the extraordinary commitment and effort of our staff, the shul has been able to safely:

• Welcome our new Rabbi in a safe manner with numerous virtual group meetings as well as drive-by opportunities.
• Conduct the first ever virtual High Holy Days in a very meaningful fashion. 
• Sustain operations while protecting staff, with staff members working from home when possible.
• Offer virtual daily programming and services including twice daily minyan, Kabbalat Shabbat, Shabbat morning services, Adult Education and additional holiday programming.
• Operate the Preschool with procedural modifications as required by Pima County and the State of Arizona which are evaluated on a continual basis. 
• Conduct Jewish rituals and life cycle events such as B’nai Mitzvah services and funerals with appropriate modifications.
• Engage our youth through virtual programming, B’Yahad Religious School, USY events and B’nai Mitzvah training.

We have also been diligently developing an operational plan to safely resume in-person programming when the time is right. Given that Pima County is currently experiencing the highest number of cases during the entire pandemic, a date for resuming such programming has not been established. We will continue to assess the situation and be prepared to offer such programming in the safest manner possible at the appropriate time.

We also will be monitoring the impact of the vaccination program on the pandemic and how it may affect our ability to resume in-person programming. This is a link to a paper discussing the Conservative Judaic perspective of the COVID vaccine.

We will continue to work diligently behind the scenes and update our community with progress on a regular basis. If you have any immediate concerns or questions, please contact Executive Director, Debra Lytle at ExecDir@caiaz.org. 

We hope everyone stays safe, and we look forward to seeing you virtually, and hopefully in-person in the not-too-distant future!

Sincerely,

CAI COVID-19 Task Force

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August 2020 Update

Dear CAI Family,

We hope that you and your loved ones are healthy and well. These last few months have been challenging for all of us. Many have struggled with heartbreak, loneliness, loss, and fear. And yet, many have also been filled with beautiful examples of heroism, generosity, and innovation within our CAI community. We have discovered new ways to pray together, to comfort one another, to learn together, and to celebrate together. Here are just a few examples:

• Hundreds have zoomed in to celebrate Shabbat, daily minyanim, holiday services and to participate in our classes and programs. 
• Our Preschool and B’yahad teachers and staff continue to check-in with our families and plan meaningful learning opportunities for students of all ages. 
• Our Board of Trustees, Hesed Committee and staff have been reaching out to every member of our congregation to see how we can help those in need.
• Our synagogue has partnered with Mending Souls to provide thousands of face masks for the greater Tucson Community.
• Our clergy have helped guide us through this time with care, support, and guidance in navigating moments of joy and moments of sorrow. 

In mid-March, we formed a COVID-19 Response Task Force comprised of clergy, staff, Board members, ritual committee members as well as medical and public health officials, to address the countless challenges presented by the pandemic. The task force developed a detailed three-phase reopening plan informed by available data and recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the State of Arizona, the Pima County Health Department and other scientific resources. As the medical community’s understanding of the coronavirus continues to emerge along with evolving communal best practices, so too will the details of our reopening plan. Our task force will continue to evaluate each of the planned phases and regularly communicate important updates impacting the life of the congregation, always ensuring that the safety and wellbeing of our members remain a priority.

The Jewish value, pikuach nefesh, protecting life and health has helped to inform our decisions. All of our difficult precautions have been worth it, and they have likely helped to save lives. The Board of Trustees grappled with the question of whether we could safely hold any kind of indoor services for the High Holy Days. Unfortunately, given the spike now occurring in Arizona, and projections for fall, it appears that this virus will continue to pose a serious threat for the time being. It is only by maintaining our vigilance, that we can successfully protect ourselves and each other. With this in mind, and with a very heavy heart, the COVID-19 Task Force, Clergy, and CAI Leadership has made the difficult but necessary decision not to gather in our building for the High Holy Days this year. Though we will remain physically distant, we will continue to be spiritually close.

We have learned a lot from our online experiences this spring and summer. We are confident we can create robust, dynamic and engaging virtual High Holy Days experiences that will also be beautiful, moving and uplifting. We want to hear your ideas regarding this announcement. How can we best assist you in a meaningful service from afar? Do you have a creative idea we haven’t thought of yet? Please complete this brief Virtual High Holy Days survey before August 11. In the coming weeks, we will continue to share more details of our emerging plans. For now, we want you to be aware of our current thinking so you can begin to prepare for what we hope and expect will be a unique and wonderful High Holy Day experience.

We have a number of meaningful services and experiences already planned for our members that will make this High Holy Days season unique and memorable with more details to come shortly.

• We will be having High Holy Days packages available for pick-up which will include mahzorim and some other ritual resources to help you transform your home into a sacred space of prayer and reflection.
• Opportunities for members to have a personal moment to offer prayers and wishes in front of the ark in our sanctuary in the weeks leading up to Rosh Hashanah, as we customarily do during Neilah.
• Kol Nidre will still be conducted before a Beit Din
• Community Shofar Blowings in our parking lot during the month of Elul.
• Virtual kollel series with Rabbi Metz on High Holy Days themes starting August 12^th.
• Gathering in a safe manner to perform tashlich, the ceremony where we ritually throw away our sins by casting bread into a body of water.
• Creating virtual service experiences, broadcasting from our sanctuary and the Rabbi Robert J. Eisen Beit Midrash, for members of all ages.
• Families with children will receive a Rosh Hashanah Activities Kit.
• Our Book of Remembrance will be available for everyone to recite their own memorial prayers.
• Preschool, Family & Youth, Teen and our traditional services will all still be available.
• Multiple camera angles with close-ups of Rabbi Metz and Nichole Chorny, and other lay leaders
• Torah readings, blessings and other honors will be done by congregants over Zoom.
• Creative online programming for young families and school age children with Storyteller, Jordan Hill.
• We will have online opportunities to see and hear from one another during the holidays.
• And of course… more to come! We want to hear your feedback, your ideas and input and we will continue to work on additional holiday enhancements.

We will continue to share our plans with you as they finalize. In the meantime, we thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to work on the many details and logistics involved in this process.

Something that you can do right now to help is to make a statement about your commitment to CAI and the future of Conservative Judaism by sending in your pink membership card if you have not done so already. Please let us know if you need another one. Each family’s financial contribution is essential for CAI to continue to offer top quality educational programs, social experiences, and to support our amazing clergy, educators and staff. We are especially grateful to those who are able to be Shomrei Torah members, as your generosity ensures our ability to never turn someone away because of an inability to pay. We also recognize that some in our community are experiencing financial hardship and we stand by our commitment that finances are never a barrier to membership at CAI. If finances are an issue, please reach out to our Executive Director, Debra Lytle, for a confidential conversation.         

One year ago, no one would have imagined we would be in this position, and hopefully one year from now we will be once again preparing to be back together in our beautiful sanctuary for the High Holy Days. May this year be an opportunity for all of us to be courageous and creative as we approach the High Holy Days, as well as all of our other Jewish experiences and milestones. May it also remind us how important it is to be with our family and friends, to be inspired by our clergy and teachers, and to feel the comfort of being a part of the CAI mishpaha (family). 

We need each other now more than ever, and we will get through this together.

B’Shalom, 

Dan Jurkowitz, President
Rabbi Metz
Debra Lytle, Executive Director

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