Anyone who participates in our services in an official religious capacity - leading prayers, receiving an aliya, reading Torah or Haftarah - must wear a head covering and a tallit.

The practice in traditional Judaism is to wear a head covering during all religious observance, and to wear a tallit at all morning and Torah services, all minchah services at which Torah is read, Kol Nidrei on Yom Kippur eve and all day on Yom Kippur. Consistent with that practice, as generally understood by Conservative Judaism, and mindful of the dignity of the religious service and the principles of egalitarianism to which our Congregation is committed, it is our policy that anyone serving in an official religious capacity at our services is expected to wear a head covering and, if appropriate, a tallit. This includes everyone called for an aliyah to the Torah, those reading the Torah or Haftarah and those serving as a shaliach tzibbur (davener/prayer leader).

We understand that some people may feel uncomfortable with this practice, either from personal conviction or because they are new to this manner of practice. We will grant exceptions to this policy on a case-by-case basis. In general, occasional guests who strongly prefer not to wear a tallit or head covering may nevertheless be called to an aliyah, or may be called to read the Torah or Haftarah on a one-time basis. Regular guests or members may be granted continued exemptions on the recommendation of the Rabbi or the Ritual Chairperson.

Head coverings (kipas, doilies) and tallits are available at services

POLICY ON TEFILLIN 

The practice in traditional Judaism is to wear tefillin (phylacteries) at all weekday morning services (except on Tish`ah b'Av, when they are worn in the afternoon). Consistent with that practice, as generally understood by Conservative Judaism, and mindful of the dignity of the religious service and the principles of egalitarianism to which our Congregation is committed, we encourage everyone to wear tefillin at weekday morning services. It is the policy at Chevrei Tzedek that anyone serving in some official religious capacity at our services is expected to wear tefillin when appropriate. This includes everyone called for an aliyah to the Torah, those reading the Torah or haftarah and those serving as a shaliach tzibbur. You will need to bring your own tefillin.

We understand that some people may feel uncomfortable with this practice, either from personal conviction or because they are new to this manner of practice. Therefore, we will grant exceptions to this policy on a case-by-case basis. In general, occasional guests who strongly prefer not to wear tefillin may nevertheless be called for an aliyah, or may be called to read Torah or Haftarah on a one-time basis. Regular guests or members may be granted continued exemptions on the recommendation of the Rabbi or the Ritual Chairperson.