Rambam Mesivta to have Classes Via Zoom for 2 Weeks After Sukkos as Extra Precaution

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Dear Parents,

The past two weeks have highlighted the importance of in-person learning and having the boys back in the building. It has been a true pleasure to engage with them face-to-face – even with a barrier or mask in between!

We have been vigilant with our safety practices in school and thankfully have been without incident. We believe this can be sustained. However, everyone’s collective care and adherence to the prescribed medical guidelines in their lives outside of the building are a critical component of this success and ensuring everyone’s safety.

It has become clear that COVID cases are on the rise in the Jewish community. The positive-testing rate is climbing and a number of other schools and institutions have unfortunately seen infection of students, staff, and family members. Subsequently, these institutions have closed their doors either partially and even fully.

Our biggest priority continues to be the safety of all members of the Rambam family.

The challenges presented by the current realities are intensified by the realities presented by Chaggim, notably Succos. We know that no one can predict the future but our assessments have to be based upon the best information available at any given time. In deciding how to best proceed we have to weigh the following factors:

WHAT WE KNOW

1. It does not take a large group of students to carry the virus to infect others.

2. Even one carrier can act as a spreader (or even a super spreader), infecting others.

3. A person who was exposed can walk around for up to 14 days without knowing that they are carrying, and perhaps, spreading the disease.

4. NO ONE has the intention of harming anybody or getting them sick.

5. Some families and students will be traveling to friends and family for Succos.

6. Some families and students will be attending large minyanim where social distancing is not required and perhaps masks are optional.

WHAT WE DO NOT KNOW

1. Will families get together in a succah?

2. Will the annual “traditional” succah hopping continue this year even for a small group of our talmidim?

3. Simchas Torah is a time of wonderful, joyous, celebration: Is there a chance that even one student may engage in non-masked, non social distanced dancing?

We are concerned about any of the above “normal” behaviors. People, by nature, are social and we think that the upcoming Chaggim pose a greater risk than our current routine of someone chas v’shalom, catching and later transmitting coronavirus.

We certainly realize the benefit of in-person instruction. However, balancing all the factors, we think it is safer for all of our talmidim and staff to continue education on Zoom from Tuesday, October 13 – Monday, October 26, returning on Tuesday, October 27th, the entire two week period after Succos (we are closed Monday, October 12th, for Isru Chag). Talmidim and staff will be required to be tested (here we go again!) on or after October 20th, before returning to school.

Once again, Rambam is arranging for testing through Premier Assist Healthcare Group. While the company will be waiving any out of pocket or convenience fees, the testing cost will be billed through your insurance; all major insurances are accepted.

Testing will be held at Rambam Mesivta, on Tuesday, October 20th, from 6:00PM – 9:00PM. Premier will send the test results to Rambam. After testing, the building will, once again, be sanitized and locked down until in-person learning resumes.

The testing being offered at Rambam is a service. No one is required to use it and families can get their own testing done (rapid testing is ok) and send the results to us at [email protected]. Obviously, anyone who tests positive is required to quarantine for two weeks and get tested again before returning to Rambam.

For those families interested in testing at Rambam through Premier, please click on this link. If you have any questions, feel free to email [email protected].

We sincerely hope that by having everyone quarantine for those two weeks, we will be able to enjoy the rest of the school year together.

The health of our community is our primary concern.

Sincerely,



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