Australia Jews allowed out to hear shofar

JEWS IN Australia under lockdown were granted an official exemption for Rosha Hashanah allowing them to hear the shofar being blown outdoors.

Rules to prevent infection prohibit leaving home except for exercise in a limited radius. But in Sydney, although synagogues remained closed, worshippers were allowed out to hear the shofar being blown.

Blowers were limited to 10 minutes at a time, over a total maximum of three hours. Rabbis were provided with markers to ensure social distancing. The decision followed weeks of discussion and carried the support of other faith leaders.

New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies chief executive Darren Bark thanked New South Wales ministers and health officials as “true mensches”.