Covid-19 Programs

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.

November 24 Update

As of late November 2021, seat reservations for in-person services are only required for b'nai mitzvah and other special occasions when we expect a crowd. Self-screening, masks in the building and other precautions remain in force.

June 2, 2021 Update

Bathroom capacity is no longer restricted to one at a time, effective immediately.

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: As of late November 2021, seat reservations are only required for b'nai mitzvah and other special occasions when we expect a crowd. Self-screening, masks in the building and other precautions remain in force.

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.
• Financial Assistance: If you have been affected economically, we have some limited funds available to help members with immediate expenses. Please contact  David Markovich -- 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

• Covid-19 Updates
• In-Person Service Reservations (Shabbat & Chag)
• Service Safety & Screening Summary
• Re-Opening Plan
• Covid-19 Screening Questionnaire