Statement From Five Towns Rabbonim On Coronavirus Pandemic

NEW YORK (VINews) — The Rabbonim of the Five Towns have released the following important statement for the Five Towns community amid the Coronavirus pandemic:

BS”D
March 11, 2020/ 16 Adar 5780
Motzai Shushan Purim

Lichvod the Five Towns/Far Rockaway and Extended Community:

In light of the increasing numbers of Coronavirus (Covid-19) cases in Nassau County (and beyond), we continue to urge people to take the necessary precautions, such as: washing hands thoroughly with soap and water; not shaking hands with others; and staying home if you are not well. Elderly people and those with compromised immune systems should certainly take every possible precaution.

Things are fluid and there are new revelations almost every day. We continue to strongly encourage people to follow the guidelines of the CDC and the Nassau County Department of Health. We are B”H calm, and we urge all of you to be calm, as well, in these challenging times. We will all continue to daven sincerely and powerfully for abundant help in bringing a protection to all in need in the very near future IY”H. Let us never lose sight of the potency of our heartfelt Tefilla and Torah learning in arousing the mercy of Hashem, and engendering the special protection of the Shomer Yisroel.

As things develop, we will continue to update our precautionary measures. These guidelines are focused on the many Shuls in the community, based on the norms of Shul life. This letter does not make recommendations about the yeshivos and schools that will continue to make determinations and establish guidelines for their respective student bodies.

Accordingly, we are adding the following:

Non-Essential Gatherings
All these recommendations are subject to change as the situation on the ground changes.

Kiddushim – While we recognize the right of the leadership of each Shul to set their own policies regarding Shul kiddushim, we highly recommend refraining from regular Shul sponsored kiddushim. Private simcha kiddushim may continue at the discretion of the Ba’alei Simcha, ideally with minimized numbers, and naturally incorporating all recommended health precautions. (These may be canceled as per the recommendations of the Department of Health of Nassau County.) Extreme care and caution must be taken to ensure that all remain extremely vigilant in all matters of hygiene, cleanliness, etc. Anyone who is not feeling well and/or showing signs of cold-like symptoms, must stay at home and avoid any and all crowds at the current time.

Lobby gatherings post davening – We suggest that people go home soon after Shul, congregating solely outside as needed (weather permitting).

Shiurim – Weighing myriad factors and variables relevant to his Shul, each Rav will determine what shiurim in his Shul will continue regularly, and which will instead be streamed live (or recorded and made available online).

Shul Social events – We recommend to cancel all Shul sponsored social events as of now. Personal social events are left to the discretion of the organizers.

Youth Groups on Shabbos – As long as the local yeshivos and schools remain operational, we will continue to offer Youth Groups on Shabbos.

Minyanim

Each Shul will be actively seeking ways to spread people out over different times and spaces, helping to decompress larger-sized minyanim and create more space between individual members.

Elderly and at-Risk Congregants

The CDC notes that the following people are at greater risk:

Older adults and people with compromised immune systems

People who have serious chronic medical conditions like:

Heart disease

Diabetes

Lung disease

If a COVID-19 outbreak happens in our community, it could last for a long time. (An outbreak is when a large number of people suddenly get sick.) Depending on how severe the outbreak is, public health officials may recommend community actions to reduce people’s risk of being exposed to COVID-19. These actions can slow the spread and reduce the impact of disease.

If you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 because of your age or because you have a serious long-term health problem, it is extra important for you to take actions to reduce your risk of getting sick with the disease.

Please consult your medical care provider or physician as to the recommendations suggested in your case. Even if you feel well, please take a moment to consider whether you are in any of the above categories, and then please consult your doctor.

If you are unable to come to Shul due to illness or are in quarantine, someone else should be arranged to say Kaddish for you. If you do not know someone who can say Kaddish for you, we can help you arrange for Kaddish to be said.

Those with any psychiatric conditions, especially anxiety, or you are experiencing debilitating stress, should consult with a mental health professional. Please contact your Rabbi who can put you in touch with a crisis counselor.

Please note: This is an opportunity to teach our children in non-alarmist, age-appropriate ways, that the Torah teaches us and has done so for thousands of years, to do everything we can to preserve our own health and that of everyone around us. When we exhibit concern about our own hygiene and care, we are showing respect for the well-being of others, some of whom may be at an elevated risk. It is important that we communicate to our children that they are safe in ways that do not dismiss any fears they may have, or any real concerns expressed by our health officials. Every time we remain calm and responsive to our children’s daily needs during times of heightened concern, we are strengthening their resilience.

May Hashem watch over all our communities, and carry us through these difficult times without any serious illness. May we merit soon a special measure of Siyata Dishmaya, and dance and celebrate together with acheinu B’nei Yisroel and Mashiach Tzidkeinu, bi’mi’heira bi’yameinu amen!

With boundless love, care, and concern,
Your devoted community Rabbonim.

Rabbi Shalom Axelrod, Young Israel of Woodmere
Rabbi Heshy Billet, Young Israel of Woodmere
Rabbi Heshy Blumstein, Yismach Moshe
Rabbi Pinchas Chatzinoff, Congregation Tifereth Zvi
Rabbi Dovid Cohen, Congregation Ohr Torah
Rabbi Aaron Feigenbaum, Irving Place Minyan
Rabbi Eytan Feiner, The White Shul
Rabbi Yaakov Feitman, Kehillas Bais Yehuda Tzvi
Rabbi Yitzchok Frankel, Agudas Yisroel of the Five Towns
Rabbi Aryeh Ginzberg, Chofetz Chaim Torah Center
Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt, Young Israel of Woodmere
Rabbi Kenneth Hain, Congregation Beth Sholom
Rabbi Simcha Hopkovitz, Young Israel of Hewlett
Rabbi Elisha Horowitz, Khal Agudas Achim
Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz, Beis HaKnesses of North Woodmere
Rabbi Simcha Lefkowitz, Congregation Anshei Chesed
Rabbi Yoni Levin, Aish Kodesh
Rabbi Avi Miller, Congregation Beth Sholom
Rabbi Jonathan Muskat, Young Israel of Oceanside
Rabbi Uri Orlian, Congregation Shaaray Tefila
Rabbi Ephraim Polakoff, Congrégation Bais Tefilah of Woodmere
Rabbi Mordechai Prus, Jewish Center of Atlantic Beach
Rabbi Ralbag, Congregation Bais Ephraim Yitzchok
Rabbi Isaac Rice, Congregation Anshei Chesed
Rabbi Shay Schachter, Young Israel of Woodmere
Rabbi Yehuda Septimus, Young Israel of North Woodmere
Rabbi Asher Stern, Kehilas Bais Avrohom Zev
Rabbi Mordechai Stern, Bais Medrash Heichal Dovid
Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum, Young Israel Lawrence-Cedarhurst
Rabbi Ya’akov Trump, Young Israel Lawrence-Cedarhurst
Rabbi Shmuel Weinberg, KLA
Rabbi Moshe Weinberger, Aish Kodesh
Rabbi Akiva Willig, Beis Medrash of Woodmere
Rabbi Shmuel Witkin, Kehillas Bnai Hayeshivos
Rabbi Shneur Wolowik, Chabad of the Five Towns
Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe, Kehillas Ateres Yaakov