This perspective guides us to react to our current public health challenge with a calm and consistent approach, in line with the standards of care and caution prescribed by the responsible experts and authorities, including the CDC and state and local health departments. Orthodox Union (OU) Kosher, the world’s largest kosher certification agency, has confirmed that the supply chain for kosher for Passover food has not been disrupted due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Note that this format may also be an option to replace the usual Simchat Beit HaShoeiva. Tefilla Events and information continue to evolve and may impact the applicability of this guidance. Including Singles: Communities and individuals should make meaningful efforts to include singles of all ages who live without family. Moishe Bane, President, Allen Fagin, Executive Vice President, the Orthodox Union, Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, Executive Vice-President, Igud HaRabbonim – Rabbinical Alliance of America. Šofar tai shofar on Tooran määritelmien mukaan puhtaan eläimen, tavallisesti oinaan, vuohen tai lampaan sarvesta valmistettu soitin, jota käytetään juutalaisten juhlamenojen yhteydessä.. Šofar on yksi vanhimmista juutalaisista soittimista ja sen ulkomuoto ei juuri ole muuttunut vuosituhansien aikana. Especially in light of the new virus variants, public health guidance dictates continued conscientious mask-wearing and social distancing, and vaccination as soon as possible. Please use this link to connect to the call. They should ideally have a kosher, hand-written Megillah in hand from which they read audibly, either on their own or assisted by a reading heard electronically. Best Practices for Mikva cleanliness include: Most mikvaot have sent guidelines regarding their cleaning practices, and we reiterate that each mikva should ensure that they are compliant based on the guidance of their local health and Halachic authorities. Let us all look out for each other and reach out to each other with understanding and support. This recommendation is fluid and comes with the following caveats: Following local Health Department guidelines. Telephone +972-3-761-9056 Sadly, there seems to be no way in which this can be safely accomplished. Where this cannot be done, shuls should nevertheless design some form of age-appropriate outdoor programming during the afternoon to ensure that they too have a Yamim Noraim shul experience. Generally healthy individuals should attend public Megillah readings as usual, where the community is exercising the proper precautions of social distancing and masking. Care should be taken to ensure that these changes not be so extreme as to empty the shul experience of its soul. This applies to the entirety of Pesach, including Chol HaMoed and the last days. Flu vaccination is still indicated! At this crucial time when the American people and governments will depend even more on charitable nonprofits, contributions are likely to decrease as happened following the 2008 recession. As you are no doubt aware, the spread of Coronavirus has become a global concern that has reached 6 continents and continues to spread. Who should stay away from shul on Purim? In addition to enhancing our camaraderie with family and friends, the celebration of Purim provides us, as shuls, communities and individuals, the opportunity to focus on our obligation to bring warmth, lightness, and joy to the isolated, to the exhausted, and to the community, young and old. Rather than pointing fingers, we must focus on what we ourselves can do better, improving ourselves before critiquing others. We hope and pray that such steps will help bring to an end the tragic toll that the pandemic has taken on our community and beyond. As noted in our earlier guidance, masking, distancing, and ventilation reduce risk but do not eliminate it, and duration of exposure may increase risk. While at times – given our strong community culture – we must exercise a somewhat elevated level of caution, this too should be done carefully and proportionally, in consultation with responsible experts and authorities. In line with earlier guidance, it would be prudent to avoid any such extended indoor activity. 3. Please click here for the recommended Mikvah protocols. Coronavirus – Everything You Need to Know and Then Some Check back often as these pages will be updated regularly. Beginning tonight, tune in together with thousands across the country, every night at 8pm at ou.org/oulive. The OU and @RCArabbinical present Purim Guidance for Shuls and Communities. In all communities – whether or not there are local confirmed cases of individuals suffering with the Coronavirus – all shuls and minyanim must be closed. Although in different manners, both those who are ill and those who are considered high-risk should they contract illness. Custodial staff should be extremely diligent about cleaning our shuls and checking dispensers for hand soap and hand sanitizer to ensure that they are filled at all times. We renew our call to include daily tefillot (prayers) for those affected by COVID-19, and for the further containment of this virus. Rooted in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, the virus has spread to more than 17,300 people in 24 countries across the world. OU Advocacy Center. Said Orthodox Union President Mark (Moishe) Bane: 6. This is true even for a mourner saying Kaddish. If you are using a landline or a non-smartphone, please dial (773) 249-0370. As long as these practices remain in place it remains unnecessary to consider institutional policies or additional restrictions regarding the non-vaccinated. As of this writing, there are eleven confirmed cases in the United States. As maaminim bnei maaminim (believers), we must turn our attention to Hashem for assistance. It is extremely important that if anyone is in quarantine or has symptoms of illness, including fever, coughing, or other symptoms of a potentially contagious condition, that they refrain from coming to shul or other communal gatherings, either during the week or on Shabbat. It was truly a Kiddush Hashem to observe the commitment of our shuls, rabbis, and lay leadership to provide a safe and compliant environment for so many of their members to be able to experience a meaningful Yamim Noraim in and around their shuls. Due to the rapidly changing situation, we may issue additional general guidelines as the situation evolves. We pray that G-d speedily eradicate this plague from our midst, and allow all aspects of our lives, as individuals, families and communities, to be fully restored. This alternative has been approved by our Poskim, Harav Hershel Schachter and Harav Mordechai Willig שליט”א. We hope to issue additional general guidelines as the situation evolves and we encourage each individual community to look to local Rabbinic and Public Health experts for guidance. Please be mindful of the fact that the data available to us is ever-evolving and therefore, require us from time to time to update these policies. While – Baruch Hashem – the levels of hospitalization and death are significantly less than at the earliest stages of the pandemic, the disease continues to be present, highly contagious, and often very dangerous. May Hashem swiftly remove this plague from the world and bless us all with health, peace and tranquility. May our efforts find favor with G-d, such that we and the entire world be spared further suffering and uncertainty. The Orthodox Union supports the Orthodox Jewish community around the world through Jewish teen outreach, Kosher food certification, Orthodox Synagogues, social action, public policy and community development programs. Infection control protocols must be in place and community leadership must be confident in their implementation. As such, we are obligated to continue to maintain necessary public health measures. We pray to the Almighty for the recovery of all those already affected by COVID-19, and for the swift success of the efforts of our government for testing, containment, treatment and prevention. 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. Brit Milah should be held privately, and Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations postponed. It is larger than a European Shofar and is only partly polished. Individuals with such symptoms likely need to be in isolation. Rabbi Moshe Hauer of the Orthodox Union will also be giving divrei chizuk. The situation continues to evolve and varies significantly from region to region. for complete recovery for all those who are ill; At the current time, the OU is not recommending that communities cancel minyanim, Shabbat services or other gatherings unless directed to do so by a community’s local health department. 2. Additionally, the Orthodox Union said blowers may also point the shofar out an open window or door, or facing away from the congregation. Continuous cleaning, chlorination, and filtration of Mikvah waters. And if you have such symptoms, please call your doctor before going to the medical office for treatment. Our medical and scientific advisors have clarified that efforts to speed vaccine development to address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have not sacrificed scientific standards, the integrity of the vaccine review process, or safety. Children’s Programming: Shuls will have to consider if there is a safe way – consistent with local regulations and guidance – to provide childcare and programming during the davening on Yamim Noraim. As maaminim bnei maaminim (believers), we must turn our attention to Hashem for assistance. We have done so because as observant Jews we have an obligation to place supreme value on protecting human life (pikuach nefesh). If there is a need for truly ESSENTIAL purchases, send one family member only – who is neither ill, vulnerable, nor of known exposure to COVID-19 – as rarely and as briefly as possible. OU Advocacy Executive Director Nathan Diament’s op-ed in the New York Jewish Week – read it here. If you have not already done so, get the annual flu vaccine, unless medically contraindicated. Its sound is a wake-up call to Jews everywhere, arousing them to self-examination and sincere prayer. IDF soldiers blow shofar at the Western Wall. The Orthodox Union suggested that the shofar should be pointed out of a window or door, or toward the front wall of the synagogue where people don’t normally sit. While surveys may be effective in getting a general view of what to expect, proper planning for this season will require advance knowledge of every person’s plans. Consider what you can plan specifically for the children, including possibly an outdoor Kol Hanearim without the crowding. While communal leaders and segments invariably adopt different views and attitudes in how to grapple with challenges, retaining and enhancing mutual respect and concern must be of paramount concern. Per the guidance of our medical and scientific advisors, for those who have had the virus and an already demonstrated sustained antibody response the vaccine remains safe and potentially helpful but appears to be less necessary. Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zweibel, Executive Vice President, Agudath Israel of America Rabbi Mendy Mirocznick, Executive Vice-President, Igud HaRabbanim – Rabbinical Alliance of America It is important to remember that over 30,000,000 people in the US this season have gotten the flu, with between 16,000-30,000 deaths, including over 100 children. We therefore flock to the synagogue during this season, knowing the critical importance of our approaching G-d with prayer and teshuva. The coronavirus, COVID-19, has been widely covered in the news media. For this reason, the consensus of our major poskim (halachic decisors) is to encourage us to use vaccinations to protect ourselves and others from disease. The elderly and high risk must seek medical advice before considering this. During these extremely difficult and precarious times, we again turn to one and all with the clear and unambiguous mandate to heed the guidance of our governments and health authorities regarding the prevention of the spread of COVID-19. We hope and pray that these efforts will – with G-d’s help – bring a resolution to our challenges and be a source of Kiddush Hashem. Protecting and preserving communal health supersedes other considerations. The following is shared based on the guidance of our poskim, Harav Hershel Schachter שליט”א and Harav Mordechai Willig שליט”א, with the support of Harav Dovid Cohen שליט”א. Social distancing is critical. Chabad is offering a free course As a result of COVID, many of us have suffered the loss of loved ones and have experienced serious illness, financial difficulty, isolation, and profound uncertainty and stress. While continued observance of these measures is increasingly challenging, it is ever more important as colder weather sets in and many outdoor activities will need to move indoors where the environment poses more of a risk for spreading the virus. With the guidance of our Poskim, HaRav Hershel Schachter שליט״א and HaRav Mordechai Willig שליט״א, we share the guidelines below. Avoid groups or public interactions of any kind, for any purpose. Shofar blowing Kosher foods Israeli cuisine Horn, others PNG size: 510x510px filesize: 88.8KB Shofar Sheep Musical Instruments Jericho, sheep PNG size: 650x650px filesize: 253.47KB Shofar French Horns Musical Instruments Prehistoric music, musical instruments PNG size: 945x558px filesize: 582.02KB As long as the current potential danger continues, we remain obligated to follow the majority of serious medical opinion that counsels ongoing caution, including social distancing, masking and diligent hand hygiene. Nathan J. Diament In consultation with poskim and public health experts, we are sharing the following guidelines to assist our communities. Here is your guide to what you need to know. With regard to what specific steps to take within the family home to separate those returning from the other members of the family, parents should consult with their own medical advisors and should adhere to all governmental, public health and local medical guidelines for how to practice separation for returnees from areas of active transmission. To that end, OU Synagogue Services connected with a wide variety of educational experts to compile a list of tools that can be useful for shuls to connect with their constituents. by Hylton I. Lightman, MD, DCH (SA), FAAP. The myriad technical details involved in pandemic shul planning must not distract us from the true focus of coming to shul, and our material efforts to accomplish things safely must not divert us from putting our hearts and souls into the spiritual efforts of prayer and growth, and from extending ourselves to others with genuine warmth. As such, these recommendations and guidelines are formulated based solely on information and advice available as of September 30, 2020. 8. On the other hand, the elderly and those with underlying medical issues such as chronic lung problems, the immunocompromised (due to chemotherapy or other immune-modifying medications), and insulin-dependent diabetics who appear to be at greater risk of complications from COVID-19, should discuss their individual medical situation with their provider prior to attending, especially if they have multiple risk factors listed above. We are sharing a guide that can be accessed here developed by our partners at the Secure Communities Network (SCN) offering important tips about avoiding scams during this difficult time as well as best practices of public events and operational protocols. Scientists believe the genome sequence of 2019-nCoV were 96% identical to coronaviruses found in bats. This resource will be updated as circumstances evolve, with the latest up-to-date information regarding the Coronavirus pandemic. Rabbi Shmuel Blech, Chairman, Rabbi Moshe Zev Weisberg, Co-Chair, the Lakewood Vaad Farley Weiss, President, National Council of Young Israel 1. TO: SHUL, SCHOOL & COMMUNITY LEADERS Congress Needs to Give More Help to America’s Charities in This Crisis. In these communities shuls should be closed as well. Strict implementation of social distancing protocols, ensuring no close human contact during the entire Mikvah visit. Strict implementation of maximal hygienic standards for attendants and for cleaning of surfaces and rooms before and between visitors. Orthodox Union Joins Nonprofit Charities Nationwide in Call for Congress to Provide Financial Support for Charitable Sector Amid Coronavirus Emergency, Joint Letter Calls for $60 Billion So Nonprofits Can Continue to Serve Those in Need. Adding Minyanim: Shuls may consider providing additional minyanim for several reasons. Those who are ill or have had serious exposure and must remain in isolation must not come to shul. Simchat Torah treat packages should be prepared and shared with the children either on Yom Tov or at a pre-Yom Tov drive-by. This uptick is a source of genuine concern, and we must be committed to make every effort to reverse it by proceeding with appropriate caution. Orthodox Union and Rabbinical Council of America join call for Day of Prayer. Those who are ill or have had serious exposure and must remain in isolation must not come to shul. The call will include a joint recitation of Tehillim, as well as words of inspiration from Rabbi Reuven Fink, Rav, Young Israel of New Rochelle. Travel to other cities must be cancelled, whether to vacation venues (Florida, etc.) Such considerations include fundamental social interactions, without which serious health risks may occur. The following is being presented to assist local synagogue and communal leadership in their planning for Succot and Simchat Torah. The OU is not recommending mikva closures at this time outside of the previously mentioned caveats. “In a situation in which it is impossible to have an in person mikra megillah due to pikuach nefesh considerations caused by coronavirus, it is permissible to hear mikra megillah via a live phone call or video. Even without holding hands, and even outdoors, when dancing in circles we are continuously walking into the clouds of droplets generated by the vigorous singing and dancing of others. Children and young, “low risk” individuals should practice these measures exactly as others. 10. 16. Title: Torah Tidbits Issue 1388 Rosh Hashana , Author: Orthodox Union, Name: Torah Tidbits Issue 1388 Rosh Hashana , Length: 96 pages, Page: 85, Published: 2020-09-16 Issuu company logo Issuu Fax: 972-3-561-3699 Notwithstanding these factors, the conclusion of our poskim is that, pursuant to the advice of your personal health care provider, the Torah obligation to preserve our lives and the lives of others requires us to vaccinate for COVID-19 as soon as a vaccine becomes available. It is critical to note that it is our recommendation, and – as we understand it – the recommendation of health departments generally, that healthy individuals attend public Megillah readings as usual. 11:30 AM EDT; 5:30 PM Israel time. Communal singing, words of Torah inspiration, and familiar piyyutim are very valuable components of the Yamim Noraim experience. As the pandemic evolves, we are doing everything we can to assist our communities and customers worldwide. These conditions cannot be properly met in the conditions of a men’s Mikvah, and so these should be uniformly closed during the pandemic.Women’s Mikvaot that wish to remain open to serve those who wish to access them, must strictly adhere to the specific protocols for both staff and users developed in consultation with our medical advisory panel, designed to meet the four conditions enumerated above. This is true even for a mourner saying Kaddish. One of the main things that our modern era offers us is ways to connect with people even when isolated. Frequent cleaning of common areas including counters, doorknobs and other areas of common touch. Similarly, the special moment of Kol HaNearim, when the young children crowd together around the Torah, cannot be safely accomplished in the conventional manner. 3. As an extra precaution, the Orthodox Union has issued guidelines recommending a surgical mask be wrapped over the wider end of the shofar. The beracha of ha-rav es rivainu however should not be made unless there is a minyan present where the megillah is actually being read.”. Torah Reading: In order to maintain safety during the Torah reading, options include having the baal koreh take all the aliyot, having those called up standing at a significant distance during the reading, or using a plexiglass shield separating the baal koreh from the one called up to the Torah. There is however a minority opinion that does allow for this, provided that the reading is live, and not pre-recorded. Please join the Orthodox Union community for the recitation of Tehillim (chapters 20, 27 and 130) and divrei chizuk (words of inspiration) from our rabbanim each afternoon at 1:00PM EDT. We are deeply sympathetic to this enormous difficulty. Executive Director 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. To conduct the hoshanot with proper social distance, rather than having everyone present join the hakafa at once, it may be most practical to divide into smaller groups that take turns making the circuit around the bimah. OU/RCA Purim Guidance for Shuls and Communities. The Orthodox Union (abbreviated OU) is one of the largest Orthodox Jewish organizations in the United States.Founded in 1898, the OU supports a network of synagogues, youth programs, Jewish and Religious Zionist advocacy programs, programs for the disabled, localized religious study programs, and international units with locations in Israel and formerly in Ukraine. Protecting and preserving communal health supersedes other considerations. Go outside, but avoid and maintain significant distance from others. At the same time, it is critical to respond in line with expert advice and avoid creating a situation of panic. Anarchy in public health must be avoided. 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. There is however a minority opinion that does allow for this, provided that the reading is live, and not pre-recorded. Buildings will have capacity issues due to distancing requirements. Each of us – as rabbis, communal leaders, and community members – can and must work resourcefully to make this season memorable for its opportunities and not only for its limitations. We are accustomed to honoring Pesach to the fullest degree, including taking haircuts, purchasing new clothing and tableware, and preparing the fullest menus. Please keep in mind that the situation is evolving at a rapid pace and these guidelines have been drafted with the information and recommendations that we have as of now. Today, the Shofar horn is mostly identified with its pivotal role in the Synagogue service on Rosh Hashonah. This guidance is intended as general guidelines and should not be construed by any individual as, or be substituted for, medical or other professional advice. Leave home only for essential needs and only if you are healthy, have not been exposed to the virus, and are not in a high risk category. We urge one and all – while strictly maintaining the prescribed guidelines – to look out for each other by reaching out to and providing for each other, especially those living alone. We recognize the great need for practical guidance for shuls and communities with regard to the continuing situation surrounding COVID-19. It is in this spirit that we repeat and emphasize our calls to individuals and communities to dedicate special efforts to pray on behalf of those already affected by COVID-19, and for its further containment. IMPORTANT: Even for those in isolation, the ideal solution is to have a kosher, hand-written Megillah in hand which they read from audibly, either on their own (even without the correct טעמי המקרא, cantillation), or assisted by a reading heard by phone or on-line. We urge one and all – while strictly maintaining the prescribed guidelines – to look out for each other by reaching out to and providing for each other, especially those living alone.We hope and pray that our sincere tefillos (prayers) and chassadim (acts of kindness) will move Hashem to swiftly remove this plague from the world and bless us all with health, peace and tranquility. The level of national and communal division that has arisen surrounding the response to the pandemic is not only regrettable; it endangers the future of our community and our country. 13. Those who are not currently ill but are not attending a public reading because they are deemed high risk, should reach out to their Rabbi and community to help arrange a private Megillah reading. We hope and pray that HKBH will see this as a profound merit for our community, and that He will see fit to bring a safe conclusion to the pandemic and its challenges. Joint Statement to the Orthodox Community Regarding Pesach. They have acted heroically to benefit us all. Everyone must plan to celebrate Pesach where they are currently. We must pray both for public health and for economic and social stability. What follows are principles to guide the decisions and planning of our shuls and communities throughout the country. Likewise, anyone who had meaningful exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 must also maintain isolation. All of this is changing moment to moment. Staying away from communal gatherings if you are ill Rabbi Shmuel Blech, Chairman, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Weisberg, Co-Chair, The Lakewood Vaad In the United States, and generally in the Western world, Centrist Orthodoxy … There is a great deal of uncertainty as to how this virus may spread and as מאמינים בני מאמינים, part of our responsibility is to turn to Hashem in times of crisis such as these. In his kinot teshuvah derashot, the Rav would often speak about the significance of and meaning behind the mitzvah of shofar.. 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