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If I May Ask - Why Are They Doing This? (Original Post) qwlauren35 Sep 2020 OP
This is why Israel is starting a lockdown for the High Holidays question everything Sep 2020 #1
What fantastic planning. qwlauren35 Sep 2020 #2

question everything

(47,271 posts)
1. This is why Israel is starting a lockdown for the High Holidays
Tue Sep 15, 2020, 02:43 PM
Sep 2020

From the WSJ

The lockdown—which is expected to last through Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and Sukkot—is in response to Israel dealing with one of the worst daily coronavirus-infection rates per capita in the world. New cases are hovering at more than 3,000 a day. Some health officials warn Israel’s hospitals could be overwhelmed during the coming flu season.

Rabbi Shimon Rabinowitz, an official in the ultra-Orthodox town Kfar Chabad, said his town usually has 10 different congregations that gather in synagogues for the Rosh Hashana holiday for nearly daylong services. This year, he is preparing for 100 microcongregations, to conform to social-distancing regulations.

To do this, Mr. Rabinowitz plans to set up 40 tents and convert the town’s kindergartens into prayer areas. He said 50 people were trained on how to blow the traditional ram’s horn, or shofar, a key part of the services. Musical discs were distributed to help train novices on how to conduct the special prayers usually led by paid professionals. His town has also made 40 tiny wooden arks to house Torah scrolls. “It’s going to be an interesting holiday,” Mr. Rabinowitz said.

In Bnei Brak, a major ultra-Orthodox center, synagogue employees used nylon drapes to section off synagogue areas to allow groups of 10 people to isolate themselves from one another.


https://www.wsj.com/articles/israel-prepares-for-its-second-nationwide-covid-19-lockdown-11600109570 (subscription)



qwlauren35

(6,112 posts)
2. What fantastic planning.
Tue Sep 15, 2020, 06:08 PM
Sep 2020

I am totally impressed.

Maybe the New York congregations will consider doing something similar... however, it may be too late.

I would bet that the Israel congregations have been planning for this for months.

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