A welcoming community of Jewish life, worship and learning

Welcome Message from TBA President Julie A. Silbermann

Dear Temple B’nai Abraham Family,

I hope this letter finds you all well and preparing for summer.  It has been a tumultuous couple of years for all of us—just when we thought we were reaching stable ground, we were faced with another variant of COVID-19 which left us feeling isolated again. Let’s hope we can have a calm and safe summer!

Despite all the difficulties and upsets, we…Read more>>

Reopening Plan Update>>

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COVID-19 PROTOCOL UPDATE
March 6, 2022

Dear TBA Community,

We are nearing the second anniversary of the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and we are finally reaching new stable ground which allows us to relax some of our protocols. While most experts believe COVID infections will still remain among us, we hope such infections will dwindle to being manageable illnesses. As we continue to examine our protocols, we held a COVID-19 Task Force meeting this past week with our medical advisors and committee. In keeping with our Task Force recommendations, the NJ Department of Health guidelines, and Livingston Board of Education, we will be transitioning to a MASK OPTIONAL policy beginning Monday, March 7.

We will be closely monitoring the COVID-19 numbers and watching for spikes but at this time, the MASK OPTIONAL policy means the following:

• Masks will be optional inside TBA at services, social events, adult education classes, private events, and any other Temple function. For those that are medically vulnerable or not yet comfortable removing their mask, we encourage you to continue to wear your mask.
• We will increase the number of people who can attend private functions in our social areas.
• We will allow food and drink to be consumed during TBA events and classes.
• We will continue to promote social distancing, however, if congregants feel comfortable sitting near friends, they may do so.
• Bimah participants will no longer be required to wear masks. Testing will not be necessary for bimah guests or service participants unless the person is unvaccinated. If unvaccinated, they will need to provide a negative COVID test and we strongly request the wearing of a mask.
• We will continue to require that all visitors and attendees to TBA be fully vaccinated (including booster) or present a negative test to attend private events and/or services and classes. We strongly request that unvaccinated members and visitors wear a mask.
• For our JLP classes and meetings, if your child is vaccinated, wearing a mask is optional based on your own family’s level of comfort. We encourage any student who is medically vulnerable or uncomfortable being unmasked to continue to wear their mask. If your child is unvaccinated, we strongly request that your child continue to wear a mask while attending JLP classes in order to protect them and our other students and teachers in the best possible way.
• A separate letter will be sent to our Early School families. We will be continuing the use of masks indoors for our pre-school children and teachers in order to protect them since they are under the age for vaccination. This is based on a recommendation from the Livingston Board of Health and our Task Force medical advisors.

There will be no “mask shaming” allowed and all TBA members, visitors, and students should feel comfortable with whatever decision they and their families make regarding the wearing of masks. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and will be meeting with our committee and medical advisors again soon. We will make changes to these policies as necessary.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation as we navigate the move to a more open and less restricted environment. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us directly.

L’Shalom,

David Z. Vaisberg, Senior Rabbi
Julie A. Silbermann, President
Mara B. Suskauer, Executive Director

For pastoral emergencies please call 973-348-5211. For other communications, the staff can be reached by email.

Live streaming is available when Shabbat services are onsite.

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Friday, August 12
6:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat Services. On the patio, weather permitting.
In person or via Live Control or Facebook Live; see information below. 
Siddur Hadash PDF 

Saturday, August 13
9:00 AM Parashat Hashavua
10:00 AM Shabbat Morning Services

also via Live Control or Facebook Live
Siddur Hadash

To Attend Services in Person 

• COVID vaccinations are required for all who are eligible (ages 5 and up). If there are extenuating circumstances, please contact our Executive Director, Mara Suskauer. 
• Full adult vaccination means two initial shots and a booster.
• Masks are optional as of March 7, 2022.
• Social distancing will be encouraged.
• If you haven’t sent in your vaccination record, please do so. Send it to tbainfo@tbanj.org.
• Fill out this form online. If you are unable to complete it online, please arrive early to fill it out in person.

Everyone 5 years and older must show proof of vaccination, or show a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours or a rapid test taken within 48 hours.

Proof of vaccination or negative PCR or rapid test must be shown to the security guard when you arrive. If your vaccination card is on file, you will not need to show proof each time you attend services.

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Siddur PDFS
-Friday evening: Kabbalat Shabbat, Siddur Hadash PDF

–Saturday morning: Shabbat Shaharit, Siddur Hadash PDF, 

–Saturday afternoon Shabbat Mincha: Siddur Hadash PDF

-Minyan of Comfort Ma’ariv service PDF
–Weekday Shacharit Siddur Sim Shalom PDF

–Weekday, Siddur Hadash– Maariv PDF

– Shacharit Festival siddur PDF