High Holy Days Accessibility

With questions, accessibility requests, or to have a conversation with our team, please email office@shirtikvahmn.org.

Covid Safety and Masking at Shir Tikvah High Holy Days 5787

Shir Tikvah is committed to caring deeply for one another. We honor the diverse needs of our community and strive to make our spaces as inclusive and accessible as possible. Our approach to masking reflects our commitment to balancing individual choice with collective care.

Our Practices at High Holy Days:

  • Masking is encouraged and optional. We recommend wearing a mask, especially when COVID or other respiratory viruses are circulating at higher levels.

  • If someone is wearing a mask, treat it as a need they hold and a signal asking for care from community. 

    • You may ask if they would like you to mask as well, if you are able.

    • Please do not ask why they are masked or ask them to remove their mask.

  • If someone is not wearing a mask, we can treat it as a need they hold and a signal asking for care from community. 

    • Please do not ask why they are unmasked or ask them to put on a mask and respect that choice.

We recognize that masks worn correctly are more protective than none. Wearing a mask when you can —even if not all the time—helps reduce the spread of illness.

Shir Tikvah will provide KN95 or similar masks and COVID tests as available.

If you are experiencing symptoms of an infectious illness, please stay home and join us on Zoom.

We will continue to support community members for whom air quality is an access need through ventilation and air filtration. We may also provide mask-required seating sections or other accommodations to meet specific access needs.

These protocols may be updated and communicated to the congregation as information about current Covid and/or other infectious disease levels change. 

Our goal is not simply to reduce illness, but to strengthen community care. By approaching one another with flexibility, trust, and generosity, we can honor different needs while sharing responsibility for one another's well-being.

To support our High Holy Days Masking Policy, Shir Tikvah has put in place a number of on-the-ground operational measures designed to make care visible, accessible, and easy to practice for everyone entering St. Joan of Arc.

Air Quality and Filtration
The sanctuary will have eight air purifiers, and the welcoming hall will include two air purifiers, all running throughout gatherings to support continuous air filtration and circulation.

Welcoming Hall Setup and Signage
The welcoming hall will serve as the primary point of orientation and access to safety resources. Four clearly visible signs, printed in a large font, will be posted throughout the welcoming hall to offer guidance on masking practices, community norms, and available resources.


Masks Availability
Four baskets of KN95 masks will be available in the welcoming hall.

COVID Testing Access
COVID tests will be available onsite during High Holy Days. If you would like a test, please find an operational staff member who can provide one and assist as needed.

Staff Presence and Support
Staff will be present and available throughout the welcoming hall and building to:

  • Help direct people to masks and tests

  • Support any access needs that arise

Print Materials

We offer the following print materials in the welcoming hall ahead of services, while supplies last:

  • Service program (regular and large print)

  • Drash transcript (regular and large print)

  • Upcoming Adult Ed, Youth and Families, and Committee Programs (regular print)

  • A QR code to the complete transcript of our services*

*We will not offer print copies of the service transcript, but will provide the document by email ahead of time for at-home printing, if desired. Email here if you have any print material questions.

ASL Interpretation

We welcome requests for ASL interpretation and have submitted requests for interpreters for all services, including youth and family. Because of the nature of interpretation for High Holiday services and the high demand for interpreters for these events, we cannot guarantee the presence of an interpreter, but will update this website page when we’ve confirmed interpreters at services. Please email office@shirtikvahmn.org with questions.

Fidgets

A variety of fidgets will be available in the welcoming hall and the quiet sensory friendly room for anyone to use.

A quiet sensory space will be available for all services at St. Joan of Arc

This space is available for everyone, has fidgets and coloring supplies, and is available for breastfeeding on various couches and chairs. Please email here with any questions about this area prior to High Holy Days.

Touch tours of service spaces at St. Joan of Arc will be offered for those who would benefit from previewing the space.

Please email here to schedule a Touch Tour prior to High Holy Days.

Bus Routes

Learn about bus options to St. Joan of Arc by visiting here.

Accessibility of our spaces

We are actively working to make our ways of gathering accessible to every member of our community. Below is a description of what to expect from our spaces and ways of engaging with our holy community.

Come comfortable and ready for the spiritual work of the High Holy Days. Bring tallit for morning services and Kol Nidre. Extend kavod (honor and dignity) to the bodies doing big spiritual work through these holy days by extending to one another compassion, gentleness, curiosity and trust. Dress in a way that will support your own spiritual work and focus - and trust that the people around you are dressed for their own practice. 

Physical Spaces: Getting in the Door at St. Joan of Arc

  • Handicap parking spots are available.

  • There are a finite number of spaces in the parking lot and we prioritize these for folks who need close and easy access to the entrance of the building. If you are able bodied we ask that you arrive early and park on the street.

  • The sidewalks, ramps, and doors are well maintained and accessible.

  • There is only one entrance, the main doors; there are no stairs along this path.

Families & Youth Spaces

  • Childcare (2-4 years) and camp (Kindergarten - 5th grade) are offered. Additionally, babies and children are enthusiastically welcomed into our service spaces.

  • The Youth and Family services are held across the building and on a lower level. There is an elevator option. The travel time from the entrance is about 5 minutes and the floors have arrows directing the route. We encourage families to arrive early to head down there and settle into the service space.

  • Sound check in the sanctuary may be happening as you’re walking to the Youth and Family services. It may be loud as you are passing through.

  • Changing tables are available in the single-room restrooms.

Physical Spaces: Inside St. Joan of Arc

  • In addition to staff, shomrim and ushers are available to help orient you to the space and answer your questions. They are distinguishable by green and purple lanyards with labels.

  • For those who are looking for flexible floor space (for babies or for yourself) and room to walk around, the adjacent room and the attached welcoming hall (with a live stream on TVs) is available.

  • There are single-room restrooms and school-style, stalled restrooms available. The latter have gendered signs and we welcome everyone to use whatever spaces feel most comfortable.

  • Service seating is on folding chairs; you are welcome to bring a seat cushion or remove a chair in any row for wheelchair space.

  • The main services are multi-modal and folks will Zoom into the physical service space to share kavanah and/or chant torah.

  • This is not a scent-free zone; Shabbat candles will be lit and are unscented.

  • Name tag stickers are available in the welcoming hall and everyone is encouraged to utilize them.

  • Masks (in adult and children sizes) and tissues are available in the welcoming hall. 

  • A variety of fidgets will be available in the welcoming hall and the quiet sensory friendly room for anyone to use.

  • Please find staff or shomrim for first aid supplies.

Virtual Spaces

  • Zoom

    • We maintain a warm and welcoming chat

    • Attendees are mix of on-camera and off, member and first time visitor

    • Captions are made available

    • A transcript (digital siddur) is available for all services

    • Hosts are available to welcome and provide accessibility/tech support

  • YouTube Livestream

    • All services are streamed live and remain available for rewatching

    • This is a great way to preview what typical services at Shir Tikvah look, sound, and feel like