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Purpose

All members of the B’nai Israel Community, including synagogue members, guests, and visiting community members have the right to participate within the B’nai Israel community free from bullying, harassment, and intimidation. 

The purpose of this policy is to prevent bullying, harassment, and similar negative behavior, and to provide a method for victims to report these behaviors to the synagogue. This policy shall cover in-person interactions as well as those by telephone, writing, email, text, social media, and other electronic communications.  

Persons Covered by This Policy

This policy shall apply to B’nai Israel members and their guests, parents and guardians of B’nai Israel Schilit Nursery School students, parents and guardians of Dr. Stuart Lessans Israel Talmud Torah students, volunteers, and community members visiting B’nai Israel or any B’nai Israel associated event. B’nai Israel employees shall remain subject to the policies outlined in the B’nai Israel Personnel Handbook.

Prohibited Behaviors

In addition to those behaviors prohibited by law, the following shall also be prohibited: 

•    Offensive language or discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability;  
•    Crude, hostile, offensive, or vulgar comments;
•    Intentionally spreading malicious, false rumors;
•    Shouting or swearing at community members in public;
•    Physical violence in any form, including, but not limited to, threats or intentionally instilling fear;
•    Unwelcome, unwanted, and unsolicited propositions; 
•    Obscene or suggestive remarks or gestures, or jokes of an offensive, derogatory, or sexual nature; 
•    Unwelcome intentional physical contact such as kissing, hugging, or inappropriate touching; 
•    A pattern of continued or persistent unwanted contact, actions, communication, or behavior, that on their own may not necessarily be prohibited by this Policy; 
•    Sexual harassment as defined by the State of Maryland; and
•    Offensive social media postings, not inconsistent with the above prohibited behaviors.

We all must work together to create the safe, respectful, diverse, and inclusive environment that reflects the core values of B’nai Israel.  
Complaint and Investigation Procedures:

Violations may be reported by anyone, not just the victim. Violations of this Policy should be reported as soon as practicable to the B’nai Israel President, Membership Vice President, or Executive Director.  Violations alleged against the Executive Director or members of the Board of Governors may be reported directly to the clergy. 

B’nai Israel will investigate all complaints fairly and thoroughly.  Investigations will be kept confidential to the greatest extent possible. 

If an investigation reveals a violation of this Policy, B’nai Israel will take the appropriate action with the accused, proportionate to the prohibited behavior.  Corrective action may, for example, include an oral or written warning, suspension of membership, or any other appropriate response or intervention. 

Prohibition of Retaliation

Retaliation for reporting under this Policy, or for participating in an investigation, is prohibited.