Torah Transportation Policy

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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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

1. 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).
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.