Back to Shul – update
The Sydney Beth Din has updated its guidelines for synagogues opening their doors on Shavuot and the following Shabbats.
Members of the SBD met with representatives of the NSW Government, NSW Health and the NSW Police Force to clarify guidelines for religious services.
They have stated that:
A service will consist of 10 worshippers, a rabbi, a Baal Koreh and a chazan. Having a total of 13 means that it is possible to have three women attending, a plus especially for those who have Yizkor.
Irrespective of the size of a synagogue and its accompanying rooms, only one minyan can be conducted at a time.
However, it is possible to have more than one a minyan a day with at least 30 minutes separating them.
The Beth Din is of the view that there should not be more than three minyanim in any one day.
The Department of Health will have the right to examine records of who attends the services. The SBD commented: “As a registered must be maintained, it will of course entries of those attending a service must be done before Shabbat or a Yom Tov.”
The synagogue’s rabbi will be responsible of maintaining the guidelines.
After Shavuot, the SBD will consider extending services to be held on weekdays, depending on the level of COVID-19.
The SBD stated: “Please remember that no one is obliged to attend shule in these circumstances, even to say Kaddish or observe a Yahrtzeit – and if you prefer to daven at home at this time please do so. No synagogue should feel obliged to conduct services at more times than it feels comfortable doing so and is under no obligation to have multiple services or even services at all.”
https://www.jwire.com.au/back-to-shul-but-read-the-rules/ issues the original guidelines. All guidelines of who can attend a minyan are contained in that article.
The Beth Din is of the view that there should be more than three minyanim in any one day
Should that NOT more than three?
The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies has also issued its own guidelines – https://www.nswjbd.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Statement-by-the-President-of-the-NSW-Jewish-Board-of-Deputies-relating-to-the-limited-reopening-of-Synagogues.pdf
So whose guidelines are the bewildered shul boards and congregational rabbis expected to follow?!