I heard a rumor that the local shuls are closing. Can anyone confirm?
Not all the shuls:
Dear Friends
Many Rabbis in our community spent several hours last night considering the question of our shuls remaining open during this tumultuous time. We examined the issue from the perspective of the expert doctors in the field of infectious diseases from our local hospital systems (who were present), our poskim (who were there throughout the duration of the meeting) and with the heavy responsibility of the welfare of every one of our dear mispallelim in mind. We are writing to inform you that we have made the excruciating decision that our shuls will be closed for all services, shiurim, classes, children's and adult's programming effective today, Friday, March 13th, until further notice. We recognize and respect the decision of other neighborhood shuls in taking a different course of action.
We recognize the importance of our institution to the lives of our members of all ages. It is heartbreaking for us to have to come to this difficult decision, and it was made after days and hours of very careful deliberation. New reports this morning concerning the nature of communal spread, have contributed to our painful decision.
Because the situation is fluid, we will reevaluate these decisions on a regular and on-going basis. We will communicate with you as changes take place. Please take these days as a critical opportunity to intensify your prayers that all those who are not well, will be healed and that our community will be shielded from any further harm.
Let us together rise to the challenge of these difficult times and ensure that the most vulnerable in our community are well looked after and taken care of. Let us all actively pray for a speedy resolution to this pandemic.
We must try our best to stay home with only our immediate family and avoid unnecessary contact with others, and particularly avoid contact with substantial groups. We should only leave home when it is truly necessary. Thus:
We implore our members not to attend other minyanim and not form private minyanim in households. This will undermine our communal effort to stop the spread of coronavirus. Our Rabbis will lead by example and daven alone in their private homes.
All community members are strongly encouraged to work from home, if possible, and to stay home whenever possible.
People should not have gatherings for Shabbos meals.
We recommend our members use restaurants for take out only.
Sick and Shivah visits should be conducted by telephone or video calls. Shiva minyanim will not be meeting. The Avel should try to arrange for someone to recite kaddish on their behalf.
Funerals should be restricted to a graveside service with a small group of family members and a minyan.
We recommend minimizing Smachos to family and small amounts of guests and not attending large Smachos. Weddings (kiddushin) should not be canceled. The party should be limited or planned for a later date.
While the local Mikvaos will remain open, women under mandatory quarantine or who are experiencing symptoms may not use the Mikvah. Please feel free to call with any questions.
As you can see, these represent significant changes to our lives and many detailed questions will certainly emerge. The brief outline above cannot guide every particular situation. We will have to address each circumstance as it comes up based on professional expertise and religious guidance.
We recommend everyone take in Shabbos at least 5 minutes early this week and say Tehillim 91 and 142 as a zechus for our protection.
It is our deep and sincere hope that this unparalleled decision brings safety and health to our community. We are closing because social distancing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19. We urge all of you to do what you can to prevent the spread of this disease. Older individuals and those with underlying medical conditions should remain at home. Everyone should continue to vigorously wash hands with soap, and cover properly while sneezing and coughing.
It is our hope and prayer that our physical distance from one another will ultimately bind us to each other in our hearts, and inspire us to better appreciate the spiritual bond that we share.
We pray for a speedy recovery for all who are not well, and continued strength and vitality, spiritual and material success for all.
Wishing you a Shabbos of good health, introspection and happiness!
Rabbi Shalom Axelrod, Young Israel of Woodmere
Rabbi Hershelshy Billet, Young Israel of Woodmere
Rabbi Aaron Feigenbaum, Irving Place Minyan
Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt, Young Israel of Woodmere
Rabbi Kenneth Hain, Congregation Beth Sholom
Rabbi Simcha Hopkovitz, Young Israel of Hewlett
Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz, Beis HaKnesses of North Woodmere
Rabbi Avi Miller, Congregation Beth Sholom
Rabbi Yehuda Septimus, Young israel of North Woodmere
Rabbi Shay Schachter, Young Israel of Woodmere
Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum, Young Israel of Lawrence Cedarhurst
Rabbi Ya’akov Trump, Young Israel of Lawrence Cedarhurst
Rabbi Eliyahu Wolf, Young Israel of Woodmere
Rabbi Akiva Willig, Beis Medrash of Woodmere
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