Congregation Ahavas Achim

Ahavas Achim COVID-19 Protocols

1. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, chills, cough, or shortness of breath, you may not come to Ahavas Achim (“AA”), as long as the symptoms persist, whether vaccinated or not. When in doubt about symptoms, for the purpose of this policy assume that they are COVID-19. For similar symptoms that are unrelated to COVID-19, you may obtain a doctor’s clearance to come to AA. For a more complete list of COVID-19 symptoms, please refer to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html.

2. If you are notified that you tested positive for COVID-19, whether vaccinated or not, you may not come to AA. You may return to AA after 10 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared or have tested positive provided that you are fever free with other COVID-19 symptoms improving. You may return to AA after 7 days have passed with a negative PCR test on or after day 5.

3. If you are unvaccinated and have been in close contact with anyone who tested positive or is suspected of having COVID-19, even if asymptomatic, you may not come to AA for 10 days after your last exposure. You may return to AA after 7 days have passed after your last exposure with a negative PCR test on or after day 5.

4. While indoors, unvaccinated individuals, including children, must wear masks that cover the mouth and nose at all times. They must also maintain a minimum of 3 feet social distancing from other individuals outside their family unit. Children under two are exempt from the mask requirement. While outdoors, unvaccinated individuals are not required to wear masks as long as they can maintain a minimum of 3 feet social distancing from other individuals outside their family unit.

5. AA is providing for separate “mask-required” and “vaccinated mask-optional” areas at all Minyanim. Vaccinated individuals, as defined below, may use the “vaccinated mask-optional” area. The “vaccinated mask-optional” area does not require social distancing but leaving one seat free between family units is desirable when possible. Vaccinated individuals are requested to try and maintain social distancing when approaching unvaccinated individuals.

6. Definitions: Close contact with an individual who tested positive or suspected of having COVID-19 is defined by these conditions: being within six feet of the individual for more than 15 minutes over a 24-hour period, with the contact occurring between two days prior to onset of symptoms or testing positive and 10 days following the patient’s onset of symptoms or testing positive provided that the individual is fever free with other COVID-19 symptoms improving. A vaccinated person refers to a person that is more than two weeks post their final dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. An individual within 90 days of a positive COVID-19 test may follow the rules of someone that is vaccinated.

7. Anyone that attends any AA Minyanim or events, agrees to inform the Rabbi or President immediately if they test positive for COVID-19. Should this happen, in accordance with the State’s contact tracing guidelines, this information but not your identity will be shared with the other people who attended the same Minyan or event. By attending AA Minyanim or events, you are attesting that you are following our COVID-19 policy.  The Gabbaim and Shul Officers will be enforcing our policy. If anyone violates any of its provisions, they will be required to leave.

We reserve the right to update the Ahavas Achim COVID-19 policy as the pandemic changes. If you have any questions about this policy, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Congregation Ahavas Achim aims to provide its congregants with a positive spiritual, social, and learning environment in a peaceful atmosphere that promotes religious life and growth. We are deeply committed to safeguarding the members of our synagogue community so they feel and are safe at all times. With that goal in mind, we have created a Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response Policy. This policy applies both to sexual misconduct directed against adults and to all forms of abuse against children and vulnerable adults, who are less able to protect themselves.    

Please click on the below links to see

1. A full copy of the policy

2. A summary of the policy, plus a page to sign acknowledgement (required for certain staff and volunteers)

3. The version of the policy written for our youth group leaders

4. A blank Incident Report form, which you may fill out if you have a violation of the policy you'd like to report. 

If you would like to contact the Congregant Safety Committee, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You may also speak directly to anyone on the committee:

Simi Lichtman, Chair

Atara Hiller

Elana Kurtz

AJ Berkovitz