OPENING UP OHAV SHOLOM
A word about the Governor’s recent announcement to allow shuls to open for services with a limit of ten people wearing masks and adhering to social distancing, with at least eight feet of space between them.
Ohav Sholom is preparing to open our shul very soon! We are following the
OU
and
RCA
guidelines in waiting two weeks following any state or city announcement, in an abundance of caution to protect the health of every member, every Jew.
Here is the actual text of their joint statement, released only moments ago:
We are certainly encouraged that downward trends in disease have moved many states towards reopening. Nevertheless, we reiterate that based on our Halachic value of the concern for life (Pikuach Nefesh), a government’s allowance of Minyanim – for which we are grateful - does not mean that such Minyanim should occur.
Before resuming communal Davening, the OU/RCA guidance required both a clear flattening of the curve and a verified safe period of 14 days following communal reopening to assess whether there will be a significant surge of new cases as other parts of society are released from mitigation.
This guidance remains in place. We continue to advise delaying 14 days prior to the opening of any Minyanim.
Our Poskim and our medical advisors imposed this guideline because a downward trajectory of illness during the lock down period itself does not reflect what may occur upon reopening. Reopening a community is an experiment to determine whether the downward trajectory will continue even after people begin to circulate significantly. The opinion of our Poskim is that Pikuach Nefesh concerns dictate that the return to communal Davening wait until after the experiment of reopening has been conducted successfully for two weeks, without a rise in disease.
This caution should of course be exercised not only regarding Minyanim, but for other new government allowances as well. All activities must be approached with appropriate caution.
We restate that due to the variety of experience and data between communities, there can be no “one size fits all” national schedule for reopening. The rabbinic and medical leadership of shuls and communities should determine local policy in consultation and coordination with local public health officials, meeting and exceeding their standards.
This statement was written with the guidance of our Poskim, Harav Hershel Schachter שליט"א and Harav Mordechai Willig שליט"א. It has been reviewed and supported by Harav Dovid Cohen שליט"א and Harav Asher Weiss שליט"א.
The situation continues to evolve and thus these recommendations and guidelines are based solely on currently available information and advice.
We share our community’s deep desire to return to communal Davening and to shul life. It is our sincere hope and prayer that our decisions maximize both communal safety and our service of Hashem, יהי רצון שתשרה שכינה במעשה ידינו ויהי נועם ד' אלקינו עלינו.
Ohav Sholom eagerly anticipates an
early June opening
and full services resuming shabbos Parshas Nasso, June 6, 2020.
Since the State is limiting minyan participants, it is important to know in advance minyanim attendees - in order to follow the new guidelines and provide the opportunity for multiple simultaneous minyanim if necessary. We b”h have ample space in our beautiful building to do this!
Stay tuned for more details and how you can notify me if/when you will attend minyanim.
Have a wonderful shabbos!
See you soon in shul,
Rabbi Aaron D. Mehlman
Erev shabbos kodesh bamidbar 5780
