BALTIMORE (VINnews) — The Jewish schools in Baltimore have announced that they will be closing for at least 2 weeks, starting Monday.
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The schools covered by the announcement are Bais Yaakov, Bnos Yisroel, Cheder Chabad, Darchei Noam, Jewels, Ohr Chadash, Talmudical Academy, Torah Institute, WITS – Machon Ohr Yehudis (MAALOT), Yeshiva Toras Chaim, Yeshivas Toras Simcha, and Yeshivat Mekor Chaim.
The announcement sent out by the school is as follows:
In coordination with the Vaad HaRabbonim and medical professionals, and following the recommendation of Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, our schools have made the difficult decision to close after this week. The Governor this afternoon mandated that all Maryland public schools remain closed beginning next week for at least two weeks, and has recommended that private schools do the same. The medical situation is continuously changing, but we will stay closed as long as medically indicated.
As always, the safety of our students, staff and every member of our community is our highest priority. While home, we urge parents to remain vigilant in making sure that their children are not in any group settings, and should avoid public areas unless absolutely necessary. This is a very severe step being taken for community safety to reduce disease transmission. It will only be effective if parents remain vigilant.
Many of our teachers and staff have been preparing behind the scenes, and there will be opportunities to continue learning during this time. More information about this will be communicated individually by our schools.
We know that the biggest protection of Klal Yisroel is hevel pihem shel tinokos shel bais raban- the Torah learning of our children. As always, we daven that this unfortunate but necessary hishtadlus helps protect all of us, and all of Klal Yisroel.
Bais Yaakov
Bnos Yisroel
Cheder Chabad
Darchei Noam
Jewels
Ohr Chadash
Talmudical Academy
Torah Institute
WITS – Machon Ohr Yehudis (MAALOT)
Yeshiva Toras Chaim
Yeshivas Toras Simcha
Yeshivat Mekor Chaim
Meanwhile, Baltimore Shomrim sent out the following message to the community:
Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, we have reached out to the the local grocery stores, caterers, and restaurants. We would like to assure you that they will all have enough food and supplies for the near future. You might find that some items may not always be in stock, but the majority of necessities will be available.
Baltimore hasn’t announced anything yet. Not sure where you got this.
What about the Torah Umisorah letter? Are these schools not under the Torah Umisorah umbrella? Or is it because the local govt is closing public schools? Then I guess they have to follow.
Unfortunately, this information was leaked out by one of the participants of a conference call involving Rabbonim of the Va’ad and school principals. The leaker couldn’t even wait for the ink to dry on the final draft of the public announcement.
I’m not quite sure what pleasure the leaker experienced by disseminating this information. One of the things I find troubling is that the leaker, who is in chinuch decided to inform people through publicizing it through VIN rather than having the parents be informed through the schools. That would have been the responsible thing to do. This decision Does fall within the TU guidelines because the public schools in Baltimore Are being shut down as opposed to the schools in NYC where no such action has been taken. Let us daven that there won’t be a need to shut down any more Yeshivos.
It is confirmed. Generally, the Jewish schools follow the same procedures as the public schools. Regardless of whether it’s really necessary or not, it wouldn’t look good for the Jewish schools to remain open when public schools are closed.
Baltimore’s lucky to have parents, school admins, Rabbonim, and Doctors who work together to provide a unified front of Achdus which avoids Machlokes, rumors, accusations, etc.
Ah, so now we have discovered that Yankel works at VIN. There is no other way to explain why his comment which came in
9:29 was squeezed in before Dov Ber’s (7:23) and Archik’s (9:05). Yes, parents got the email by 9:29, but hadn’t yet received it as of 6:04 which is when Chaya asked her original question.