Dear Friends
The situation with the coronavirus continues to change day by day, and we are now seeing an increased number of cases. The latest announcement from the Minister of Health is that South Africa has its first cases of local transmissions, which indicates a new level of threat of the disease. This situation raises the question of shul services, which have continued without interruption until this point. Against this background, we have consulted with Dr Richard Friedland and Professor Barry Schoub, who have been guiding our response to the community on this matter from the beginning.
It is their opinion that, in theory, if there were complete and strict adherence to all of the precautionary guidelines at shuls – such as social distancing, as well as the immunocompromised and the elderly not attending shul – there would be a way potentially to maintain acceptable levels of safety. Practically, however, it appears that many are struggling to adhere to these guidelines. This creates a situation of risk, not only for our community, but for our fellow South Africans with whom we are in contact all the time.
Therefore, in these circumstances, their expert medical advice is that in order to prevent further spread of the disease, our shul services should not continue at this point in time. And so, in consultation with and support of world halachic authority Rabbi Osher Weiss, it is with a heavy heart that we recommend that people daven at home, on their own, without a minyan, and that shul services no longer take place at this stage.
The situation is in flux and will be constantly re-evaluated. And we will look for the earliest opportunity to be able to resume services.
This is a very difficult time for us all. Let’s draw strength from our prayers and our connection to Hashem. Let’s redouble our efforts to learn more Torah, to daven at home with meaning and devotion, to do more mitzvos and acts of kindness. Let us make our homes places of holiness and faith, of love and compassion. May Hashem bless our community, our country and our world with health and healing.
With blessings
Chief Rabbi Goldstein
The Beth Din
The South African Rabbinical Association
Rabbinical Association of the Western Cape