Beit Am, Mid-Willamette Valley Jewish Community












Policy on Transporting the Torah
The following rules are to be followed whenever a Torah is taken
from the Beit Am building. They are necessary to ensure that the Torahs are
not damaged and to show respect for them.
- When a Beit Am member (hereafter referred to as "the member") or Beit Am
committee (such as the High Holidays Committee) wishes to have services at a
facility outside of the Beit Am building (off-site), the member, or the
committee, as the case may be, must submit a written request for approval to
the Beit Am Board or the Executive Committee of the Board for moving and
using the Torah.
- The Beit Am Board establishes guidelines for the care and transport of
the Torah. The Beit Am Board also ensures that there is a pool of persons
who are knowledgeable about the extra care needed to transport the Torah
safely. Beit Am therefore assumes all responsibility for the Torah. The
Board or designee will facilitate making arrangements with the Torah movers.
- When the Torah needs to travel by vehicle to another facility, it
should be brought to the other facility before the beginning of Shabbat or
the High Holiday/festival and returned following the end of Shabbat or the
High Holiday/festival.
- The Board or its designee will facilitate finding a safe and respectful
place for the storage of the Torah in the off-site facility when it is not
in use. A ner tamid should be placed in the presence of the stored Torah.
- During High Holidays or festivals, if the Torah is needed at the Beit
Am building before the conclusion of the holiday, it must be moved back to
the building in accordance with these guidelines.
Policy on Transporting Religious Objects
- When a Beit Am member (hereafter referred to as "the member") wishes to
have services at a facility outside of the Beit Am building (off-site), the
member must submit a written request for approval from the Beit Am Board or
the Executive Committee of the Board for moving and using religious objects
(e.g., tallitot, kipot, siddurim).
- The member (or a designee) must provide a list of enumerated items that
will be moved. The member moving religious objects, such as siddurim, etc.,
assumes all responsibility for their transport, security, and care while
outside the Beit Am building.
- For Shabbat services (such as b'nai mitzvah), the religious objects must
be returned to the Beit Am building on the Saturday night after the end of
Shabbat. This is especially important during the school year when siddurim
may be needed on Sunday morning by VJCCS students.
- After the return of the religious objects to the Beit Am building, the
Board or its designee will check in the returned items. A list of the items
returned with a statement concerning any damaged or missing items will be
developed. The member will be responsible for the replacement or repair of
said items.