Coming to Holy Blossom? We welcome you with open arms!
(but no actual hugging…yet)
With cautious optimism, Holy Blossom Temple is continuing on the path to fully re-opening. In the midst of ups and downs with respect to COVID-19 cases in Toronto, we continue to evaluate and take small steps as advised by the HBT COVID Cabinet. We have continued to voluntarily go above and beyond the government regulations, taking into account the diverse needs of our congregation as best as possible. Please continue to check to see if the service or program you are attending is offered in-person, online, or both – as a multi-access program. We are thrilled to welcome you both in the flesh and on the screen.
What to Bring at the Door
3 items are required for entry (once you have filled out the pre-screening form):
- A big green checkmark (phone or paper) as a result of filling out the form properly
- Proof of vaccine (phone or paper)
- Identification with your birth date
Everything you need to know about updated Health & Safety Protocol at HBT
Updated Screening Form
Updated Screening Form: https://congregationconnect.tfaforms.net/f/HBTEntry
- The HBT COVID screening form must be filled out on the day of your visit to Temple
- Please fill this out EACH day you are coming to Holy Blossom, ideally BEFORE you arrive
- One form is required per household – there are spots to indicate family members joining you
- If your answers to the form satisfy all the requirements, you will see a BIG GREEN CHECKMARK!
- Please be prepared to show this checkmark on your device (you can take a screenshot or show it from the page) or print a copy before you arrive
- In the case you are unable to print or show a copy, Security can check the list and/or there will be a place to sign in to verify your answers
Proof of Vaccine Status
- Starting Monday, November 15, HBT staff, security, or volunteers will be checking proof of vaccine upon entry – printed or on a device are both accepted
- Download your proof of vaccine here: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/get-proof/
- As before, if you are 12 years old or more, full vaccination is required (two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine plus 2 weeks after the second dose)
- Note this does not apply to children under 12 years old entering the school wing, or attending a service or program with special permission on a case-by-case basis, as per protocol determined by the COVID Cabinet, in some cases including rapid testing
- Please note we will communicate clearly when future events are family events outside of the school wing that will involve a group of children under 12. We look forward to a full return of multi-generational programming throughout the campus in the coming weeks and months
- Please bring your vaccine receipt or passport to show at the door (passports may or may not be scanned)
- You will also be required to show a piece of ID that includes your date of birth
What to Bring at the Door
3 items are required for entry
- A big green checkmark (phone or paper) as a result of filling out the form properly
- Proof of vaccine (phone or paper)
- Identification with your birth date
Proper Mask Wearing & Physical Distancing
- Please note that wearing a mask properly that covers your nose, mouth, and chin is still required at all times for everyone 2 years old and up
- While the government regulation for physical distancing has been relaxed, Holy Blossom Temple is still committed to providing an environment where physical distancing is possible, recommended, and respected for all those who wish to maintain distance outside of their households
- Thank you for respecting the wishes of your fellow congregants
Mask & Mingle!
- We are delighted to return to congregational greetings after services (with physical distance)
- Starting Monday, November 15 after Shacharit and continuing through that week, including Kabbalat Shabbat Services, Shabbat Morning Services, and beyond, please join fellow service attendees to “Mask & Mingle” in the Atrium
Return of the Bagel! (and other congregational food)
- A few programs have been carefully selected to pilot the return of food to congregational life
- Our “Food Zone” will be the Lower Level Gallery (through the glass doors at the bottom of the grand spiral staircase, right outside the doors of the Philip Smith Congregational Hall)
- Round tables with chairs (no more than 8 per table) will be set up in this area
- Masks are to be worn at all times, including in the Food Zone, except when seated at your table and eating/drinking
- Starting November 15 – breakfast will return after Shacharit
- We invite all those attending to join for breakfast after services on the Lower Level if they feel comfortable doing so
- Please stay tuned as we evaluate this pilot project and hope to be able to offer the chance to share food in more circumstances in the coming weeks and months
Stepping Away from Pre-Registration (for regular services/programs)
- While we are still committed to limiting capacity in our various spaces to provide the ability to maintain physical distance, we will be moving away from pre-registration (slotted forms) for our regular services and programs
- For example, if you’d like to join us for Shacharit services, Kabbalat Shabbat services, or Shabbat Morning services, you may simply come! (with the 3 items required at the door – see above)
- We will continue to collect information for contact tracing through our screening form
- For programs and services that we expect to get close to capacity or require registration for other reasons (pre-materials to be sent, cost to attend the event), there will be registration, but through our standard event-specific form, not the slotted system
- For services that involve a considerable number of non-member guests, we will collect contact information from each household through the host family in advance to communicate our protocol
We hope everyone will get into the groove of our new processes put in place to make Holy Blossom more accessible to all of our cherished congregants with a continued commitment to health and safety. We look forward to seeing you soon!
