Singing ban as synagogues prepare to open
‘The reopening of our shuls will not be a single event, but rather a cautious, phased process over months’
SYNAGOGUES will ban singing and ask congregants to book slots for services online and bring their own prayer books when services return, new guidelines reveal. Last month, Ephraim Mirvis, the Chief Rabbi, warned that synagogues could become a “hub for the virus to reappear” as the lockdown eases.
He urged “extreme cautions” and the need for the Jewish community to “hold back” once regulations permit a return to congregational worship.
Now, the United Synagogue, Britain’s largest Jewish religious body, has published details regarding how they plan to reopen.
The guidance, issued to all orthodox synagogues, includes proposals such as: banning singing; offering an online system so worshippers can book into services; congregants bringing their own siddurim, or prayer books; everyone wearing a face mask inside the building; consideration of outdoor services and banning the blowing of the shofar – a ram’s horn which is passed among congregants – during the festival of Rosh Hashanah in September.
The guidance comes after Robert Jenrick, the Communities Secretary, suggested that singing hymns could spread coronavirus. Defending the Government’s decision to keep churches closed during Sunday’s daily briefing, he said that singing hymns “can lead to exhalation” which “can create particular problems”.
The new United Synagogue guidance effectively bans singing, which is regarded as an integral part of Judaism. Services are often led by a chazzan who leads the congregation in prayer and chanting worship alongside the rabbi.
The document reads: “There can be no singing other than from the service leader who should position himself as far from others as he can, facing away from the kehilla [congregation]. This is in line with government guidance.”
The proposed policy represents “a cautious path centred on the wellbeing of members”, Jewish leaders say.
“The Government’s approach and guidance is absolutely clear that the reopening of our shuls [synagogues] will not be a single event, but rather a cautious, phased process, which will take place over the course of many months,” they add.
The guidance also says that synagogues should introduce a booking service where people can book seats ahead of attendance in order to control numbers. The earliest places of worship could reopen is July 4, if the country drops from step four to step three on the Government’s threat scale.