High Holy Days Accessibility

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

Masking practice at services

For High Holy Days services at St. Joan of Arc, we ask that you mask unless masking creates a barrier for your participation. Spaces designated for youth and families will not require masking. 

Shir Tikvah is committed to deep care for one another. We honor the diverse needs of our community members and strive to ensure that our spaces are as inclusive and accessible as possible. Masking is one way we can show care for those who may be more vulnerable to illness, including people with disabilities and chronic health conditions. 

We also understand that masking is not feasible for everyone. By allowing flexibility in our ask, we aim to respect and accommodate these needs to allow everyone to participate fully in our sacred gatherings. 

Our community has varying and competing needs and we ask that you extend trust and grace to one another. 

Please stay home and join us on virtually if you are symptomatic, testing positive, or if you have had a recent exposure. Please consider testing prior to gathering, either at-home or at a community testing site offering PCRs for free!

ASL Interpretation, with an available transcript by request, will be provided for the following services:

  • Erev Rosh Hashanah Service

  • Rosh Hashanah Morning Service

  • Kol Nidre Service

  • Yom Kippur Morning Service

Fidgets

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

Large Print Materials

All programs and supplements will be offered in large print options at our High Holy Day services.

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.

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.

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.

  • Childcare (2-4 years) and camp (Kindergarten - 5th grade) are offered. Additionally, babies and children are enthusiastically welcomed into our service spaces. An area of chairs will be saved for families in the main service area. For those with babies or who are looking for flexible floor space and room to walk around, the back of the service 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.

  • Changing tables are available in the single room restrooms.

  • 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 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.

  • The main services are multi-modal and folks will Zoom into the physical service space to share kavanah, chant torah, and tell their friendship stories.

  • 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. Please find staff or shomrim for first aid supplies.

Virtual Spaces

    • 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