FAQ

Does TBB value inclusion?

Yes! Our Community welcomes the participation of interfaith couples and families, and people of all abilities, backgrounds, gender identities and sexual orientations. Read more about Accessibility & Inclusion.

Is TBB wheelchair accessible?

TBB is proud to be wheelchair accessible, with elevator access to all three levels, an accessible entrance at the rear of the building, and an accessible restroom. Read more about Accessibility & Inclusion.

What is TBB's COVID policy?

All events and services at TBB are now mask-optional.

We continue to ask that clergy and lay leaders of all services self-test for COVID-19 before coming to services.

To accommodate individual needs and concerns at in-person services, a congregant who is having an aliyah may request that the Torah reader wear a face mask, and should contact the Gabbai with the request. The Gabbai may also request that a congregant wear a face mask while having an aliyah if it is requested by a service leader.

Please refrain from attending in-person activities if you are ill, have respiratory symptoms, fever, or are a contact of an active COVID case.

How can I start receiving emails from TBB about events and programs, and other TBB updates?

Email tbb@templebnaibrith.org to start receiving emails directly from TBB about events and programs, as well as other TBB news and business.

Are there emails specifically for families with kids too? 

Want to be in touch with other families / hear about upcoming events for kids? Email tbbfamilies@gmail.com. See events and info at Families.

What if I want to receive emails from other members and friends of TBB?

Join our Google group to hear from your fellow members and friends of TBB or send the community a message yourself. (Discuss Somerville happenings, share other Jewish programs, arts, culture, ask if anyone knows a good dentist, etc.) Please click here to join our Google Group.

Can I sync the TBB calendar to my Google calendar, iPhone/iPad calendar, Outlook, or similar app?

Yes! You can sync TBB's ShulCloud calendar to Google calendar, iPhone/iPad, or Outlook so that TBB calendar events automatically appear. Read step-by-step instructions here. Other devices and apps can likely sync the TBB calendar using the WebCal link available in the final step of these instructions. Look for specific instructions from your app or device.

Where should I park?

The City of Somerville has resident-only parking restrictions affecting all streets in the city. We ask Somerville residents with a valid parking sticker to use on street parking in order to make our very small parking lot available to non-residents.

Non-residents may park without a permit for two hours on Broadway and Medford Streets between the hours of 8am and 11pm. All other neighborhood streets, including Central Street, require a resident sticker. There are no resident only parking restrictions on Sundays.

Does the City grant parking consideration (exceptions to resident-only parking restrictions) on Shabbat & Holidays? 

Because the very small U-shaped lot around our building cannot accommodate everyone on busy occasions, the City of Somerville has graciously agreed to suspend resident-only parking restrictions on streets around the synagogue during the following services:

• Shabbat (Friday evening and Saturday during services)
• Erev Rosh Hashanah and Rosh Hashanah Days 1 and 2
• Erev Yom Kippur and Yom Kippur
• Sukkot Potluck Friday
• Purim

Important: All major parking violations will still be enforced, for example obstructing a posted fire lane, blocking a crosswalk or driveway, parking within 10 ft of a hydrant, or within 20 ft of an intersection (beware of the “No Parking Here to Corner” sign on Central Street, just before Broadway). These tickets cannot be abated. Please try to park on Broadway before parking on side streets.

What if a ticket is issued in error for a resident parking violation during a Shabbat or holiday exception? 

To have a ticket issued in error excused, you must contact the synagogue office within one week of receiving a ticket at tbb@templebnaibrith.org or 617-625-0333. Please do not contact the City directly.

How can I properly dispose of sacred objects such as sacred texts? Does my item, book or writing need to be dropped off at a genizah or buried in a cemetery? 

The Jewish Cemetery Association of Massachusetts has a very helpful webpage with detailed information on this topic at https://www.jcam.org/Pages/Services/book_burials.php. They also maintain a genizah and provide proper burial for sacred objects, including texts and writings.