Synagogues in the Tel Aviv-Jaffa municipality can make use of sidewalks and other adjacent public spaces during daily prayers in order to facilitate social distancing during worship, municipal authorities said on Sunday.
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The decision comes less than a month before the holiday season in Israel that starts with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, celebrated this year from September 18 to 20. Rosh Hashanah is closely followed by several other holidays – including Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar – marked by intensive prayer services.
Israeli health officials say that crowded synagogues pose a significant risk of promoting the transmission of coronavirus.
"The right to prayer and worship is fundamental, and we'll do everything within our powers to allow tens of thousands of worshipers to observe the holiday commandments – even under the pandemic restrictions," Tel Aviv-Jaffa Mayor Ron Huldai said.
"We are doing everything so that the spirit of Judaism be in harmony with the city – so that the spirit of brotherhood, peace, and love prevails."
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This article was originally published by i24NEWS.
