Pittsburgh Jewish Community Center: No Vaccination, No Entry

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh soon will require members and guests over age 12 to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter its indoor facilities.

The new policy won't go into effect until Oct. 18. In a letter to members, JCC President Brian Schreiber wrote, "We have intentionally provided this window of time to encourage those of you who are long-standing JCC members and have yet to be vaccinated or those of you who have not yet made the decision to vaccinate your adolescent children the opportunity to do so at your earliest convenience before we can no longer serve you in the manner you have been afforded until now."

Additionally, all current JCC full-time and part-time staff, and any new hires, must have proof of vaccination by Oct. 18 as a condition of employment. More than 95 percent of JCC workers are fully inoculated, according to the organization.

"We recognize that not everyone will agree with our decision, but it has become increasingly clear that our community’s health is better served when everyone becomes vaccinated and that a large number of unvaccinated people worldwide allows for the pandemic to continue and the virus to
mutate," Schreiber wrote. "Our commitment to community frames everything we do."

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