Covid-19 Programs & Resources
This page is your guide to Congregation Beth Emeth's precautions and program changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please click on the orange links for complete information about each topic, as well as the resource links in the right-hand column of this page.
April 15, 2021 Update:
The CBE COVID-19 Task Force met in March and April, and the following changes have been made to our policies and procedures. These changes are effective immediately, and will be incorporated soon in the Re-Opening Plan.
- Waiver form is no longer required.
- Health screening will be replaced by signage listing symptoms for self-assessment.
- The greeter will check off attendance vs reservations only.
- We will no longer quarantine ritual objects after use.
- We will return to using the regular, padded chairs in the sanctuary, still placed in distanced pairs and quads. Expanded seating into the Social Hall will be available for b'nai mitzvah.
- Use of gloves on the bema will be optional; hand sanitizer will still be provided.
- All other precautions, such as mask wearing, distancing, service reservations, use of hand sanitizer upon entry, etc. are still in force. We will continue to follow all CDC and Virginia state guidelines.
- For an up-to-date summary related to in-person services, go to the Service Safety & Screening Summary.
Services During Covid
(now on the Services page) Until further notice, all services will be held online, and Shabbat Morning and a few special occasions are both online and in-person, with precautions and advance reservations.
- Online Services: Schedule, details & Zoom links for services and related downloads
- In-Person Services: Reservations (required), self-screening, mask requirement and other precautions to expect
CBE Online Activities and Adult Classes
(see the Adult Education & Programs Calendar for a complete listing)
- Adult Education Classes: Topics, schedules and Zoom links
- Adult & Family Programs & Activities: Conversations, Fun Classes, Book Discussions, Support Groups, and more (highlights are in the News & Events section of this site; see the Adult Education & Programs Calendar for a complete listing.)
Support for Congregants During COVID-19
- Caring Community: Congregation Beth Emeth (CBE) wants to help any congregant who is self-isolating by running errands such as grocery shopping and medication pickups. Please contact our Caring Community Co-Chairs if you need assistance or if you have some time to help out others. Or if you prefer, contact Executive Director David Markovich or Rabbi Mina.
- Financial Assistance: If you have been affected economically, we have some limited funds available to help members with immediate expenses. Please contact David Markovich or Rabbi Mina -- all information in this regard is confidential.
Building Schedule
While the building is still mostly closed, we have arranged to have staff available for pickups & drop-offs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 10AM to 1PM. If you are planning to come by, please be sure to email office@bethemeth.org in advance to let us know you’re coming. Also, please use the main entrance as the school entrance is only to be used by BEECC due to COVID protocols. Outside of these hours or for needs other than pickup & drop-off, please email office@bethemeth.org to arrange an appointment.
Other COVID-19 Resources
Ongoing Online Activities
For Adult Education classes, please see the Adult Education page. For additional programs, please see the News & Events page and the Calendar. If you have any questions about Zoom or if you have an idea for creating and leading additional classes/discussion groups, please contact David Markovich at david@bethemeth.org.
Zoom in My Room - Tuesday Group Conversation
- Every Tuesday at 2:00 PM
- Led by Robyn Feuerberg, CBE Board Member-at-Large
- Zoom Link (new link starting Nov 1, 2020 -- if you are not a regular participant, please RSVP to Robyn if you, in case of schedule or link changes)
After participating in the Zoom ritual services that CBE is offering, Robyn realized that as much as she enjoyed the services spiritually, she really just enjoyed seeing faces, many faces, a group of faces. So she decided to launch a Zoom group called “Zoom in my Room - Group Conversation." Bring a cup of coffee, a sparkling beverage or just yourself and let's have a get together, share a funny story, share a good idea or just smile. We all need contact with others.
Book Discussion Group
- Every Thursday at 4:00 PM
- Led by Melissa Heifetz
- Zoom Link
We will discuss books as chosen by the group, one or two chapters at a time.
Weekly Discussion Group for Parents of Children with Special Needs
- Every Wednesday at 11:00 AM - Starting March25
- Led by Traci Levin
- If you are interested, please contact melissa@bethemeth.org.
Interruptions to schedule and routine can be especially difficult for those caring for children (no matter the age) with special needs. Please join our weekly discussion group for support and companionship.
Pozez JCC Widow/Widower Support Group
- Monthly, Wednesdays at 5:15 PM
- Led by Dr. Rebecca Fleischer
- Please contact Laurie Albert at laurie.albert@theJ.org for the registration link.
This monthly program, organized by the Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia and hosted by Congregation Beth Emeth, will be meeting online through Zoom while in-person meetings are not possible. This free support group is open to anyone who has recently and not-so-recently lost a husband, wife or partner. Join us for an open forum frank discussion with a focus on grief, bereavement and continuing on after great loss.
Weekly Bridge Game
- Every Monday at 1:30 PM
- Led by David Kamerling
Along with many other activities, the CBE Bridge group has shifted to a virtual meeting for its weekly game. We will use Bridge Base Online (BBO) to play from the comfort of our homes. We intend to continue meeting in cyberspace in accordance with Beth Emeth's calendar until the building reopens. If you are interested in playing bridge with other CBE members, please contact David Kamerling.