Breakaway Jews
The Adass Israel congregation in Melbourne has issued a statement distancing it from the approximate 40 ultra-orthodox Jewish men videoed exiting a minyan on Wednesday evening.
In the statement issued by president Benjamin Koppel on behalf of the congregation said: “Our Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Shlomo Kohn, ordered us to close our Synagogue (the busiest Synagogue in Australia) as of Friday afternoon 20th March 2020, before any such regulation by the Government.
He also expressly forbade any private prayer services to be conducted by members of the congregation. Rabbi Kohn himself has been praying alone at his home ever since. The Chief Rabbi explained that apart from being extremely dangerous in the current situation, one is also obligated by the Torah to follow the laws of the country in which they reside.
We have no affiliation whatsoever with the group mentioned in the media, that have been conducting private prayer services. This group completely disassociated themselves from our congregation more than 12 months ago and do not abide by the rulings of our Chief Rabbi.”
idiots..Agrade.
The Adass community and indeed the entire Jewish community in Melbourne and Australia has been blessed to have a leader as wise,kind and especially knowledgeable as Rav Kohn.
May he be well and continue in this position “biz 120”