Temple Beth Ami is committed to respecting the privacy of our congregants and all visitors to our website. The following details the policies that Temple Beth Ami has in place to safeguard your privacy. By using our website, you are agreeing to the policies below.

Collection of Information
When you request information on www.bethami.org, you share your first name, last name, mailing address and e-mail address with us. This information is required to register for courses and/or programs, or make a contribution. When transacting a sale, we will also require your credit card number. At certain times, we may collect demographic information via website surveys. This information helps us better understand our website visitors and is completely optional.

Email Addresses
When you provide your email address to Temple Beth Ami, we will periodically contact you through email.

Financial Information
Temple Beth Ami will protect any financial information you provide to us. If you choose to make a contribution or register for a program online, your credit card number will only be used for processing your request. Your transaction information will be stored on our secure servers, but this information is never shared with third parties. We restrict access to customer financial information for use by authorized Temple Beth Ami employees only.

Cookies
Cookies are small bits of data transferred to your computer by a website to facilitate your online experience. Cookies are only used to assist in customer log-in functions, track the progress of e-commerce transactions and to record session information in order to analyze website effectiveness. We do not share information obtained by cookies.

Passwords
There may be areas of the website that are accessible by password only. Passwords are kept confidential and will not allow access to payment information such as credit card numbers, etc. If you have forgotten your password, contact the office to have instructions emailed to you. If you have been assigned a password and have trouble signing into your account, please contact the office.

Uses of Personal Information
Temple Beth Ami uses the personal information it collects to process your orders, and to notify you of event changes and updates. Any personal information collected is used by Temple Beth Ami employees only and is not sold to any outside parties. Temple Beth Ami does not share this information with any other non-profit Jewish organizations.

Links
Our site provides links to other organizations’ websites. We do not control the use of personal information on websites other than our own.

Changes to the Policy
New technology will continue to be added to www.bethami.org. Changes in the privacy policy will be reflected here as new technology is implemented, so please check back periodically.

At Temple Beth Ami, we are committed to the health and well-being of all our Temple members. Our goal is to create a welcoming environment but we cannot provide a completely allergy-free setting.  Our objective is to offer adequate, accurate information to enable visitors to ensure the safety of themselves and their loved ones.

This policy applies to all Temple sponsored events but does not apply to renters and other outside groups that use our facilities.

• We will strive to make reasonable accommodations for congregants and guests with food allergies.
• Our school spaces within the building are nut-free zones. 

Temple members and guests with food allergies should always exercise judgment regarding precautions necessary to safeguard their health, including always carrying required medications (e.g., EpiPen) and notifying staff and event organizers in advance of requested food accommodations.

Policy for Temple-Sponsored Events

• Temple staff will not purchase foods labeled as containing tree nuts, peanuts or nut oils or extracts for Temple sponsored events. 
• Temple-sponsored groups purchasing food (meals or snacks) for Temple-sponsored events should strive to arrange for food that does not contain tree nuts or peanuts, including nut oils and extracts.
• Publicity for any Temple-sponsored event should indicate whether or not food will be served.  For those events where food is served, publicity will include the name of the restaurant/caterer and contact information as it becomes available. 
• Where snacks are served, packages/labels should be available for review. 
• Congregants and guests with food allergies are encouraged to contact event sponsors to request special food accommodations.
• When food is made available for purchase at Temple events, the organizers will provide allergy-friendly options.
• At Onegs, a separate table will be set with allergy-friendly items.
• While the Temple is unable to assume responsibility for ensuring that homemade goods are nut-free, we urge congregants to refrain from bringing goods containing nuts into the Temple.  All homemade goods will be marked as homemade.

Policy for Gan Ami (Preschool) and Machane TBA (Religious School)

In addition to the Temple-wide policy, additional specific policies are in place for Gan Ami and Machane TBA. These policies are additive to the Temple-wide policy and do not replace it.  Specific questions about these policies should be directed to the Early Childhood Director or the Director of Education.

Policy for Temple Clergy and Administrative Offices

• There will be no nuts or nut products in the Front Office reception area.
• Staff working in the front office may bring and consume nuts for personal use in their private offices only.
• Temple members and guests should notify staff of food allergies prior to meeting in their private offices, so that reasonable precautions can be taken to accommodate individuals with allergies.

Temple Beth Ami Front Office:

• Temple Beth Ami follows Montgomery County Government for morning delays or closings. We make independent decisions about any programs scheduled in the afternoon or evening in the case of inclement weather.

Machane TBA:

• Machane TBA follows the inclement weather decisions of MCPS. If there is an early dismissal, Machane TBA is closed.  If afternoon and evening events in the County are canceled, TBA High is closed. On Sundays, check email and the TBA website for information.

Gan Ami (Preschool):

• See Gan Ami Inclement Weather policy here.

Holiday Closings

• The first day of all Jewish holidays
• The 2nd day of Rosh Hashanah
• The last day of Passover
• January 1st
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• President’s Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day, July 4th
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• The Friday following Thanksgiving Day
• December 25th

Accessibility

Temple Beth Ami strives to integrate inclusion into every aspect of our community. Jewish continuity is dependent upon enabling and empowering every individual to become actively involved in all aspects of Temple life. We are committed to making our synagogue, services, and schools accessible to everyone who wishes to participate.  Inclusion is not only about training and accommodations, it is about attitude and commitment. If, at any time,  you have a situation that requires accommodation, please contact our Executive Director, Debbie Ezrin, and we will make every effort to assist you.

Our school year and summer programs are fully accessible to children with disabilities. Every child will have the experience of celebrating becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah in the Temple. We will work with each family to individualize the tutoring process and service content, responding to what resonates with their child as learners and inspires them as Jews.

Hearing Accessibility  

Sign Interpreted Events
Shabbat morning and evening services, holiday and festival services are sign-interpreted upon request. Members may also request interpreters for meetings, family education workshops, Temple wide events, and Shabbat morning and evening services. Bar and Bat Mitzvah families may also request interpreting services for their guests with hearing needs. 

Assisted Listening System: An assisted listening device system is available in both the sanctuary and the chapel. To request a hearing device, please ask an usher at services. 

Physical Accessibility

Parking:
There are a limited number of reserved parking spaces in front of Temple Beth Ami if you have a sticker or tag. During special Temple wide events or High Holy Days services, additional parking spaces are set aside for people with physical disabilities. 

Access to the Bimah:
A ramp is available to the bimah in the Sanctuary, and our ark is accessible for individuals who use wheelchairs or walkers. Our Rabbis are sensitive to the needs of individuals who may find steps to the bimah difficult and will make every effort to offer accommodations as appropriate. 

Seating Access: 
There are seat cut out areas to allow for individuals to remain in their wheelchair during services.

Wheelchairs and Walkers:
The Temple has wheelchairs and walkers available for congregants and guests. Please ask in the office during regular office hours or an usher on Shabbat and holidays.

Visual Accessibility  

Lighting:
The Sanctuary, Chapel, Social Halls, and restrooms are all well lit. 

Signage
Signs throughout the building are labeled in braille.

Prayer Books:
There are large print prayer books in the pew in the rear of the sanctuary as you walk in.  Please return them to that rack so can access them in the future.

The Union for Reform Judaism affirms that, in the case of mandatory immunizations, congregations follow one of Judaism’s most sacred commandments, pikuach nefesh – the idea that the preservation of life takes precedence over almost all other Jewish law. Reform Jewish religious tenets prioritize protecting the health of all individuals, the most medically vulnerable members of the community, and the community as a whole, and do not provide a basis for a religious exemption from mandatory immunizations.

Temple Beth Ami’s school year and summer programs for children of all ages are committed to these Jewish values. Therefore, for the health, safety, and welfare of both staff and students, TBA follows State of Maryland vaccination requirements for students entering our programs.  Documentation of compliance with these requirements shall be provided for all students. Gan Ami will monitor on-going vaccination compliance for children 18 months to 5 years who are enrolled. This follows the standards and policies of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control, and the American Council on Immunization and Prevention.  There are no religious or personal exemptions to this policy.  Medical exemptions will be reviewed by the appropriate Temple staff, with medical consultation as necessary. (revised November 2019)