Update: February 23, 2021

Over the last year, we have limited the attendance of Shabbat Services at TEE to only those with an immediate need for mourning, prayer, or life events, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We believe that although it was a difficult decision, it was the right thing to do given the severity of the pandemic. To our knowledge, we have not had any spread of COVID-19 at Temple Emanu El.

Thankfully, the COVID19-related illness, hospitalizations, and deaths in Birmingham continue to drop and many members of our Temple are now vaccinated.  Therefore, beginning March 5, 2021, we are opening the doors to the congregations a little bit wider as follows:

  1. To start, members who have received two doses of the COVID19 vaccination will be allowed to enter the temple two weeks after their last vaccine. We will ask you to attest in writing to your vaccine status and register to come to the service via our sign-up genius.
  2. Those who are not vaccinated and have a direct need to come to TEE are also welcome with the approval of the clergy.
  3. We will continue to enforce mitigation strategies which we are now all too familiar with (temperature checks, masks, 6-foot social distancing, and handwashing).
  4. Ushers will help seat family ‘pods’ in the sanctuary with ample spacing, and we will have sequential dismissal to avoid over-crowding.
  5. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will make recommendations to expand (or contract) these opportunities based on what is happening in the community and the needs of the members of Temple Emanu El.

Click here to sign up to attend services in-person.

Click here to sign up to usher a Shabbat service.

Or contact Judy Edwards, assistant to the clergy, for questions or assistance to make a special request to attend at jedwards@ourtemple.org or at (205)933-8037, ext 230.

Click here to read more about our COVID Task Force recommendations, and a huge thanks to our Task Force Members:

  • David Askenazi
  • Al Cohn
  • Julie Wolfson
  • Adam Kessler
  • Robert Berman
  • Rabbi Adam Wright
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