COVID-19 Updates

Dear Or Shalom family, 

We want to share the latest updates from our COVID task force, consisting of medical experts and congregational leaders. Our task force has been renamed the “COVID re-opening task force,” with the goal of guiding our congregation back to gathering together in responsible ways that minimize risks.  

While we know that the State of Illinois is planning to lift its indoor mask mandate and many of our kids’ schools have shifted to a mask-optional policy, we will continue to require masks indoors for communal events, including Shabbat services and our J2 religious school. We have many members of our Or Shalom family of all ages who are immunocompromised, are going through medical treatment, and are caring for family members at risk. Or Shalom is the place that we go to pray for ourselves and our loved ones, a sanctuary for connecting with one another and with God. With compassion in our hearts, we believe this continued policy upholds our Torah’s message of caring for the most vulnerable in our midst.  

While the trends in COVID numbers continue to head in a good direction, our task force is creating guidelines for gatherings that include food in our space, starting with onegs after services. In the coming weeks, we will start with To-gOnegs, in which you can grab your treats to take with you following services. Our task force will continue to monitor and incorporate medical guidance and our local COVID metrics. We will update you through our weekly eblast. You can follow all of our developments on our website: https://www.orshalomlc.org/covid-19-updates.html