Hillel will be following strict health protocols during the 2020 Fall Semester and beyond, based on CDC, State of Rhode Island, and URI guidelines.

A hybrid strategy for fall events and activities will offer virtual participation options to students. In person programming will primarily involve outdoor gatherings; limit the size of face-to-face interactions; and adhere to physical distancing guidelines.
 
Students will be required to make reservations for in-person programming. 

All students, faculty, staff, and visitors coming to any University of Rhode Island campus are required to complete this daily health self-assessment electronic questionnaire. 

Please click on the links below for the most up to date information.

URI Student Handbook Addendum-COVID-19 and Public Health Informed Policies

#RhodyTogether: University of Rhode Island's Corona Virus updates.

Hillel's policies are informed by the following Jewish Values:
​Pikuah Nefesh (Saving a life): The primacy of human life is a fundamental principle of Jewish law. At all times we must balance any efforts to reopen or resume operations with the obligation to preserve life.
 
Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh BaZeh (all Israel are responsible for one another-Talmud Shevuot 39a) and
Lo Ta’amod Al Dam Re’echa (Don’t stand idly by your friend’s blood (being shed)- Leviticus 19:16):
We are all responsible for making choices that do not harm one another’s health, wittingly or unwittingly. Requiring mask-wearing, social distancing, and regular sanitizing of hands from all community members when engaged in Hillel activities is our best way of understanding our interconnectedness and showing care and concern for each other.
 
Dina D’Malchuta Dina (The law of the local authority is the law-Talmudic principle):  As campuses formulate guidelines and principles regarding safe return to campus, we, as indispensable university partners, are bound to reiterate and uphold the rules put in place by our administrations. 
 
V’Asita Ma’akeh L’Gagecha (Make a parapet about your roof- Deut. 22:8): The Rabbis interpreted this phrase to mean that we must ensure reasonable safeguards to physical being in our homes and communal spaces.  We need to take care to examine all the details of how our spaces are utilized - including cleaning regimens, when and how spaces are used, safe ways to provide food, restrooms, provision of sanitizer and masks, HVAC systems, and other considerations - as we consider whether and how to open Hillel spaces to student use if allowed under university guidelines.
 
Sh’mor Nafsh’cha Me’od (Watch yourself scrupulously-Deut 4:9):  We need to take care of ourselves, taking adequate measures always to safeguard ourselves from harm.  Hillel staff should look to limit their exposure and take precautions to avoid getting sick themselves and/or transmitting the virus to our loved ones.  We also need to make sure we are sleeping, eating, and hydrating to ensure our own health through the stress and fatigue we are experiencing, and engaging in ways of self-care that allow us to be present.
 
Hesed (Profound Love and Kindness): With many people feeling anxious, lonely, distanced or at risk, we must be guided in our actions with these factors in mind.

Reduce the risks of the spread of Covid-19 

The CDC makes the following recommendations (click link for details):
​

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. 
• Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Do not share utensils, water bottles, or other personal items. Many germs that cause viral illness are spread through saliva.
• Clean and disinfect: Wipe down common items like phones, keyboards, doorknobs, and railings with a disinfectant.
• Monitor your daily health

Spiritual Guidance in a Time of Pandemic

Practices suggested by Rabbi Jonathan Kligler

In addition to doing whatever the health experts tell us we can do to protect our own and each other’s health, there is so much that we can do, moment to moment, to help keep ourselves balanced and open to the world:

• Gratitude. We are the beneficiaries of infinite blessings, and I encourage us all to take time to count our blessings. The taste of a good breakfast, or a cup of coffee or tea; the breath flowing in and out of our bodies; the light streaming through our window; the rain pattering on the roof. Pause and give thanks.
• Wonder. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel of blessed memory taught, “Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement…[to] get up in the morning and look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible; never treat life casually. To be spiritual is to be amazed.” He also taught: “Never once in my life did I ask God for success or wisdom or power or fame. I asked for wonder, and God gave it to me.”
  
• Compassion. In the coming weeks and perhaps months we have the opportunity to practice new ways of showing our love. Instead of a hug or a touch, we can share our love with our words, our tone, our eyes, and of course our hearts. We can show our love with text messages and emails and phone calls. And we can practice this awareness not only with other people but also with the squirrel bounding across the road and with the tomato seedlings sprouting in their little containers of soil, in fact with all life. May our hearts be filled to bursting with compassion for all creatures.
• Gemilut Hasadim, acts of loving kindness. If not now, when?

• Let the earth embrace you and comfort you. Go outside, if you are able to. Take a walk, if you can. Feel the ground supporting you, the air caressing you, the trees greeting you. Be comforted knowing that you are connected to all.