According to Prof. Yedidya Stern, an expert on haredi society at the Israel Democracy Institute, ultra-Orthodox leaders who have prioritized communal life and events over health regulations are demonstrating their concern for the greater future of their community over immediate concerns for their physical safety.
“Belonging to an eastern European religious sect is very far from being a natural thing in the 21st century,” he says.
The potential for disruption to such communities by the COVID-19 pandemic is so large that it could undermine the viability of the ultra-Orthodox model – and this is a risk the hassidic rebbes and others are not prepared to take.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/w...odox-rabbis-ignoring-covid-19-analysis-643892
The hassidic rebbes in this country face a similar dilemma.
There is a Chabad in our town where my wife and I occasionally attend services, and take part in the meal and other communal activities that follow. She is not orthodox or even religious and I'm a goy. But we have always been warmly welcomed. The rabbi in this particular instance has opted on the side of public health and has greatly curtailed in-person services since March. I'm sure it has been an anguishing decision. I think he is in the minority among his colleagues.
The rules he adopted for the High Holy Days:
Procedures we will be enacting during services:
Individuals are asked not to attend if they are not feeling well (coughing, sniffling, fever, shortness of breath, abdominal pain or diarrhea), or if they have been exposed to someone who is a possible COVID-19 carrier in the last 14 days, or If they have lost their sense of taste or smell, or if they traveled to a state listed by New York State as high risk requiring quarantine
Masks must be worn at all times. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided to you at the entrance to the synagogue.
A distance of at least 6 feet must be strictly maintained at all times. Chairs will be been arranged to maintain those guidelines. Families will be seated together.
Attendees are encouraged to wear their own Yarmulka & Talis. A Talis will be available for those who need.
A Machzor will be supplied for you at your chair. The Machzors will be replaced and sanitized between services.
To ensure social distancing, kiddushes will not be taking place during this time.
When one is called up to the Torah, please make the blessing from your seat in a loud and clear voice.
Space is limited so please reserve your seat as soon as possible.
There will be no roaming around. Everyone is asked to stay in their place unless they need to use the restroom.
There will not be any children's program during the services. See Schedule for Children/Family service
***Please understand that since
the Mitzvah of safeguarding our health and each others' health must come first, we will have to enforce these rules. We ask that you wait until the guidelines are relaxed if you might find them difficult to adhere to. Likewise, anyone who is at higher-risk is advised to stay home or speak with your doctor before attending.