Haredim protest NY’s restrictions on synagogues

Cuomo: Religious obligations can be excused if you’re saving a life

The ultra- Orthodox community protested New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s new restrictions for houses of worship following a recent uptick in COVID- 19 infections in the state and in New York City.

Haredi ( ultra- Orthodox) protesters staged a mass demonstration in the Borough Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, with thousands, most without masks, crowding down central streets.

The new regulations affect several large ultra- Orthodox communities in Brooklyn and Queens that have experienced higher than average increases in coronavirus infections in recent weeks, as well as those in Kiryas Joel, Monsey and New Square in upstate New York.

Agudath Israel of America, the primary communal association of ultra- Orthodox US Jews, described the new restrictions as “appalling to all people of religion and good faith” and said that it would “explore all appropriate measures to undo this deeply offensive action.”

The new regulations delineate red, orange and yellow zones for coronavirus infections and impose restrictions of increasing severity in accordance with the severity of the new spike.

In red zones, houses of worship may operate at 25% capacity with a maximum of 10 people, mass gatherings are prohibited, only essential businesses may open, restaurants can operate on a takeoutonly basis, and schools have been closed and will be able to operate only remotely.

In orange zones, houses of worship can operate at 33% capacity with a maximum of 25 people, and at 50% capacity in yellow zones.

New York City data show