Board Report: September 2021

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Board Report: September 2021

During the month of August, 2021, PJTC's Board had it's regularly scheduled monthly meeting, as well as a special meeting to address a High Holy Days services recommendation from the Security & Safety Task Force. Please find recaps of both below:

Special Board Meeting of August 25, 2021

The special board meeting was convened to address a recommendation from the Security & Safety Task Force’s recommendation that we hold HHD services virtually-only. Board President Stacey Sharp introduced the task force and meeting. Ken Zangwell of the task force explained the recommendation. After the motion was made and seconded, Rabbi John Carrier, Cantor Berman-Harris, and Executive Director Beryl Strauss addressed the motion, followed by comments by congregants, including board members. The board voted on the motion. The vote was six board members in favor, nine opposed, no abstentions. Accordingly, the motion did not pass.

Board Meeting of August 30, 2021

During its regularly-scheduled August meeting, the board considered pandemic protocols for High Holy Days services proposed by the Safety and Security Task Force. After receiving input from the congregation and senior staff, including clergy, the board considered and approved the following three protocols: (1) an attendance cap of 275 people for any single High Holy Day service; (2) replacing babysitting with the use of the “Prayground” with parent supervision for children 5 – 12 years old and children-centered High Holy Day video content; and (3) requiring proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test obtained 72 hours prior to attendance, including children 2 – 12 years old or anyone with an underlying medical condition

By Joseph Widman, PJTC Board Secretary