By. Where this cannot be done, shuls should nevertheless design some form of age-appropriate outdoor programming during the afternoon to ensure that they too have a Yamim Noraim shul experience. The Orthodox Union supports the Orthodox Jewish community around the world through Jewish teen outreach, Kosher food certification, Orthodox Synagogues, social action, public policy and community development programs. Aharoni said Orthodox rabbis in Los Angeles have long been pressured by influential members of their congregations to officiate at weddings at which the food was non-kosher. Those who are ill or have had serious exposure and must remain in isolation must not come to shul. As noted above, shuls are encouraged to reach out personally and individually to all members and past seat-holders. In consideration of the guidance of our poskim, we strongly encourage all those eligible to access the COVID-19 vaccination to do so. We are deeply sympathetic to this enormous difficulty. Presenters should not be chosen based on level of scholarship, and could include those who found Torah at some point in their lives, those who have recently adopted a regular Torah learning schedule, or those who can share an inspiring personal story. We acknowledge the pain and confusion that these efforts have imposed on everyone, especially those who will celebrate Pesach away from family and/or completely alone. We reiterate that the measures that this pandemic have forced our community to adopt are exceptionally painful. As the Mikvah experience is understandably stressful under the current conditions, extra efforts should be made – by both attendants and users – to be patient, empathetic and supportive. What follows are a few such suggestions that are not meant to limit, but rather to encourage, your own creativity. The Letter was published in The Mischpaca Magazine today, as the Jerusalem Post reports: But there is no substitute for physical community, for the relationships that are nurtured by the social framework of that community, for a room full of voices raised together in prayer and song, for being in a House of G-d, and for a nurturing personal connection to religious mentors. There is however a minority opinion that does allow for this, provided that the reading is live, and not pre-recorded. Please be mindful of the fact that the data available to us is ever-evolving and therefore, require us from time to time to update these policies. This guidance remains in place. The call for establishing the organization was sent from the address of the … Families and individuals should aspire to turn this period of challenges into an opportunity to bring more Torah and Tefillah into the home. The clear majority of Halachic authorities do not consider Halachically adequate a Megillah reading heard over the phone or online. Orthodox Union and Rabbinical Council of America join call for Day of Prayer. We have a sacred duty to open our hearts to Hashem to ask for Rachamim on behalf of the people and countries around the world already affected by the virus, and for the containment of the virus’ further spread. We call on our communities to join the entire Jewish People in focusing extra effort on prayer throughout the day on this Wednesday, Yom Kippur Katan. The leadership of each mikva has a sacred responsibility to ensure that the standards of cleanliness and hygiene are upheld to the highest degree. At the same time, it is critical to respond in line with expert advice and avoid creating a situation of panic. We share our community’s deep desire to return to communal Davening and to shul life. Rooted in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, the virus has spread to more than 17,300 people in 24 countries across the world. And third, it is during this period that the synagogue truly serves as the rallying point for the community, bringing us all together more than at any other time in the year. At the same time, it is critical to respond proportionally, in line with expert advice, and avoid creating a situation of panic. The coronavirus, COVID-19, has been widely covered in the news media. See here. 4. We pray to the Almighty for the recovery of all those already affected by COVID-19, and for the swift success of the efforts of our government for testing, containment, treatment and prevention. Full cleaning of the Mikva following each day’s use. Infection control protocols must be in place and community leadership must be confident in their implementation. In that spirit, we join the call issued today by Chief Rabbi David Lau – issued in consultation with Hagaon Rav Chaim Kanievsky – for a national day of tefillah this Thursday, 8 Shevat, January 21. 1. High quality food standard assurance. and for inspiration and wisdom for our researchers to find a cure. 12. Many health departments have local contact websites as well which provide information about local developments. This outreach should not be simply formal and technical, but inviting and caring. Custodial staff should be extremely diligent about cleaning our shuls and checking dispensers for hand soap and hand sanitizer to ensure that they are filled at all times. We are sharing a guide that can be accessed here developed by our partners at the Secure Communities Network (SCN) offering important tips about avoiding scams during this difficult time as well as best practices of public events and operational protocols. We hope to alert you to additional general guidelines as the situation evolves and we encourage each individual community to look to local Rabbinic and Public Health experts for guidance. Per the guidance of our medical and scientific advisors, for those who have had the virus and an already demonstrated sustained antibody response the vaccine remains safe and potentially helpful but appears to be less necessary. To fulfill the Mitzvah, they should have a kosher, hand-written Megillah in hand from which they read audibly, either on their own or assisted by a reading heard electronically. Infection control precautions Orthodox Jewish organization in the United States, Sprecher. OU Kosher is certifying more than 7,400 products for Passover 2020, which are available both in the United States as well as overseas. The following is shared based on the guidance of our poskim, Harav Hershel Schachter שליט”א and Harav Mordechai Willig שליט”א, with the support of Harav Dovid Cohen שליט”א. As maaminim bnei maaminim (believers), we must turn our attention to Hashem for assistance. The leaders were Rabbi Joseph Karasick, president of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, and Rabbi Bernard L. Berzon, … As such it may be appropriate for us to adopt an even stricter standard than the authorities require. These efforts appear to have been successful beyond all expectations and have produced more than one vaccine with an unusually high rate of effectiveness with no indications of any significant risk. Mikvaot that are able to adhere strictly to these protocols may safely remain open.Individuals who do not pass the screening process must respect the current processes that are put in place to protect public health. At the same time, it is important to get fresh air and exercise. The pandemic’s necessary limitations should not deny or defeat our efforts to generate within our family, and others, warmth, lightness, and joy. Moishe Bane, President, Allen Fagin, Executive Vice President, the Orthodox Union Rabbi Daniel Korobkin, President, Rabbi Mark Dratch, Executive Vice President, Rabbinical Council of America, Urgent Action Memo The number of cases worldwide continues to grow substantially, with greater numbers of infected individuals and affected Jewish communities. These are certainly meaningful disappointments. Keep a bottle of sanitizer available at each of your home’s entrances and in your car for use when you can’t immediately wash your hands. However, it is extremely important that if anyone has symptoms of illness, including fever, coughing, stomach bug or any other sickness, that they refrain from coming to shul or other communal gatherings, either during the week or on Shabbat. Canceling shul for minyanim or other programs This statement was written with the guidance of our Poskim, Harav Hershel Schachter שליט”א and Harav Mordechai Willig שליט”א. A closing thought. This is a halachic imperative of the highest order that each and every one of us must obey for the sake of the health of our own families, communities and fellow citizens. ... Jewish congregations, primarly in London. These are following measures OUA and our partners are advocating for. Rabbi Shmuel Blech, Chairman, Rabbi Moshe Zev Weisberg, Co-Chair, the Lakewood Vaad Farley Weiss, President, National Council of Young Israel The opinion of our Poskim is that Pikuach Nefesh concerns dictate that the return to communal Davening wait until after the experiment of reopening has been conducted successfully for two weeks, without a rise in disease. That miracle came after – and as a result of – Esther’s request of Mordechai to gather the Jewish people together for three days of fasting and prayer. ", Sprecher. 10. All community members should monitor the CDC website at www.cdc.gov or www.coronavirus.gov in the US or Health Canada in Canada for updated information. Divisive language and public criticism are unlikely to effect change. אבינו מלכנו מנע מגיפה מנחלתך OU Advocacy Center. Generally healthy individuals should attend public Megillah readings as usual, where the community is exercising the proper precautions. File consists of a poster sent out by Agudath Harabonim (Union of Orthodox Rabbis of U.S. and Canada) warning against reforms, including the lack of a Mechitzoth in synagogue, the use of microphones on the Sabbath and the use of the Clamp for … We pray together that we soon see an end to this crisis. STAY HOME; SAVE LIVES The emergence of safe and effective vaccines, accompanied by highly contagious virus variants, introduces great hope and cheer but also compels redoubled vigilance in adhering to public health guidelines as we push to stay safe and avoid further losses while aggressively supporting the nationwide vaccination campaign. Most Chovevei pulput rabbis are at OU shuls. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. HETER (Permission) Above is the Heter from the Union of Orthodox Rabbis of the United States and Canada. The Rabbinical Council of America (RCA) is one of the world's largest organizations of Orthodox rabbis; it is affiliated with The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, more commonly known as the Orthodox Union (OU).It is the main professional rabbinical association within Modern Orthodox in the United States. 3. Likewise, anyone who had meaningful exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 must also maintain isolation. As we have been instructed by medical and public health experts, the best way to prevent spread of disease is not to keep the well at home, but rather to keep the ill out of public spaces. Its symptoms typically include fever, cough and shortness of breath. In addition, we urge all those lighting Shabbat candles before the advent of this Shabbat to again include chapter 130 of Tehillim in their candle lighting recitation, and encourage shuls to insert Tehillim on Friday night between Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat. It was founded in 1923 by Abraham Goldstein. We hope and pray that Hakadosh Baruch Hu will view these efforts as a merit for Klal Yisrael, and that He will see fit to bring a safe and speedy conclusion to the pandemic and its challenges. Additional signatories are forthcoming and will be featured in updated statements. Jewish Action, the quarterly magazine publication of the Orthodox Union, serves as a forum for a diversity of legitimate opinions within the spectrum of Orthodox Judaism. As such, these recommendations and guidelines are formulated based solely on information and advice available as of February 2021. Observance of this mandate is critical. Public gatherings and Smachot may not take place. The limitations imposed by the pandemic have been a source of discomfort and stress, and we are all working to strike the right balance between establishing proper safety and responsibly restoring some feeling of normalcy. Today’s divrei chizuk will be shared by Rabbi Ilan Feldman of Congregation Beth Jacob in Atlanta, GA. To participate, please dial 773-377-9170. Notwithstanding disagreements with, and offense taken to, government policies and decisions, communal guidelines must recognize government authority in the realm of public health as Takanat Bnei haMedinah. Only Agudath and Iggud still function today, though neither is very active. The situation is certainly serious and warrants an appropriate response. In such situations – as in all situations where there is no Minyan present – the closing Bracha following Megillah reading is not recited. As reprinted in the organization's Sefer Knesset haRabbanim, they contained the following message: "Ministering as we do largely among erstwhile strangers in our land, we can testify that they are ready to embrace American ideals at the first opportunity. Shuls that have secure outdoor spaces available, such as a parking lot, may consider assembling outdoors with masking and social distance and conducting a kumzitz-type gathering there. Strict implementation of maximal hygienic standards for attendants and for cleaning of surfaces and rooms before and between visitors. Celebration of Succot may continue while conscientiously applying the principles that have governed our behavior thus far. Challenges should drive us to work creatively to overcome. The UOS maintains a Beth Din, The Johannesburg Beth Din; The Office of the Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein; The Kashrut Division supervises the production of kosher foodstuffs; Fights missionaries through Jews for Judaism; Publishes a magazine Jewish … Congress Needs to Give More Help to America’s Charities in This Crisis. The OU (Orthodox Union) Kosher is the world’s largest and most widely recognized international kosher certification agency, certifying over 1,000,000 products produced in more than 12,000 plants located in 104 countries around the world. Those who are ill or have had serious exposure and must remain in isolation must not come to shul. It is therefore incumbent upon us to be models of public health and to avoid behaviors that can be perceived as endangering our health and the health of the surrounding community. Both organizations worked on social issues of the day that affected Jews, and on the improvement of rabbinical life for their members.[6]. Care should be taken to ensure that these changes not be so extreme as to empty the shul experience of its soul. Please keep in mind that the situation is evolving at a rapid pace and these guidelines have been drafted with the information and recommendations that we have as of now. Rabbinic leaders and organizations across the Orthodox spectrum have, individually, declared the health threat presented by COVID-19 a mortal threat (sakanas nefashos). Share on Facebook. For this reason, the consensus of our major poskim (halachic decisors) is to encourage us to use vaccinations to protect ourselves and others from disease. Children’s Programming: Shuls will have to consider if there is a safe way – consistent with local regulations and guidance – to provide childcare and programming during the davening on Yamim Noraim. This should be observed before, during and following Yom Tov. This is true even for a mourner saying Kaddish. עת צרה היא ליעקב וממנה יושע In addition, in the spirit of לך כנוס את כל היהודים, Esther’s request to bring the entire nation together in prayer, and in an effort to include the homebound and quarantined, we will be hosting a national prayer call at 12:30 pm EDT. Get Certified Most Americans eat some kosher food every day, but chances are they’re not aware of it.Take a walk down the aisles of any supermarket and you will see that certification appears on over 60% of America’s produced foods that are certified kosher, from the coveted Oreo to the thirst-quenching Coca-Cola.Over $150 billion of kosher certified products are consumed … 4. As our nation and our world grapples with the ongoing critical struggle to contain the mortal threat of COVID-19, we offer the following words of guidance to our communities. The joy of Purim is specifically expressed through extending expressions of friendship and providing needed support, Mishloach Manot and Matanot l’Evyonim. The Orthodox Union, for its part, in 1923 established its Women’s Branch, which assumed the task of overseeing the sisterhoods in hundreds of Orthodox synagogues nationwide. הודו לד’ כי טוב כי לעולם חסדו. Beginning tomorrow night, tune in together with thousands across the country, every night at 8pm at ou.org/oulive. Social distancing is critical. This creates severe difficulty for so many. Please click here for the recommended Mikvah protocols. Please join the Orthodox Union community for the recitation of Tehillim (chapters 20, 27 and 130) and divrei chizuk (words of inspiration) from our rabbanim each afternoon at 1:00PM EDT. Orthodox Judaism has resisted modern pressures to modify its observance and has held fast to such practices as daily worship, dietary laws (kashruth), traditional prayers and ceremonies, regular and intensive study of the Torah, and separation of men and women in the synagogue.It also enjoins strict observance of the sabbath and religious festivals and does not permit … Significant developments have compelled this updating of the guidelines we issued on Friday March 13. to our Father in Heaven with pleas for a speedy end to this plague; First, the company must pay an annual fee for the use of the copyright symbol--the (U) or (K) or a version thereof. Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, a psychologist and former executive vice president of the Orthodox Union, said Twerski would often say that though he … We share with you the guidance provided to the RCA by Rav Hershel Schachter, Shlita. Not closing the shuls will render the school closures essentially meaningless in limiting communal transmission. This year, more than ever, we need our prayers to be meaningful. Each and every day, countless Jewish individuals around the world are positively impacted by the work of the Orthodox Union, with its array of religious, youth, social action, educational, public policy and community development services, programs and activities. Those feelings of love for the Torah and its values are expressed on Simchat Torah by old and young, and by those more and less learned. In communities where there are not as yet confirmed cases, significant restrictions should be placed on how shuls gather. Word is now circulating that the four-story pre-war tenement at 235 East Broadway just changed hands. © 2021 Orthodox Union | All Rights Reserved, {{formatTime(zmanim.candle_lighting_shabbos)}}. All community members should be are encouraged to be especially vigilant to implement the following common-sense protocols: And while we take steps to protect our community and our communal spaces, we must not forget our relationship with Hashem and encourage all to include daily tefilot (prayers) for those affected directly by COVID-19 and encourage recitation of Tehilim as appropriate. One and all should engage in extra Tehillim (Psalms) and intense Tefillah (prayer). Stay home. Our emunah also moves us to react to the current challenge with genuine and sustained tefillot. 5. While this guidance of our poskim has addressed vaccine usage generally, the introduction of the novel COVID-19 vaccines required specific reconsideration. {3} The OU symbol is one of the most common certification symbols seen on kosher foods. [3][1] However, not all was war, kashruth, or Prohibition. 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