Cleveland Vaad HaRabbonim Letter Regarding Coronavirus and Minyanim

PDF version of the Cleveland Vaad HaRabbonim Letter Regarding Coronavirus and Minyanim, 5-8-20

After careful deliberation, and in compliance with the guidelines set forth by the Ohio Department of Health, we grant permission to begin a pilot phase of limited “Yard Minyanim”. This permission is contingent on the community’s adherence to the strict guidelines listed below, and on the continued successful containment of the COVID-19 virus in our city.

We have enlisted the assistance of Chaveirim in designating “Block Captains”, who will determine the number of participants on their block, how many minyanim are needed on each block, and where each minyan will be held. They will create specific groups of no more than 10 -12 people, to attend only the minyan designated to them.

Each minyan will have a volunteer responsible for enforcing the guidelines below. The guidelines for the minyanim are as follows:

• Minyanim will begin on Lag B’Omer (5\12\20), not before
• Mincha\Maariv only (NO Shacharis at this time)
• Under no circumstances can a minyan take place indoors (nor should attendees use restrooms in the home)
• All attendees must keep a minimum distance of 6 feet from other attendees (greater distance is recommended where possible)
• All attendees must wear masks and bring their own siddur (and wear gloves when sharing surfaces such as door knobs etc.)
• No lingering or loitering before or after davening
• No children under Bar Mitzvah should attend
• No one may attend a minyan other than the one designated to him
• Anyone not feeling well may not attend (even with the slightest cough or fever)

We urge anyone with health concerns and those above 65 years of age to speak to their doctor before attending, and anyone with any other questions to reach out to their Rov. It is the choice of each member of our community to attend or to daven at home. Everyone has the right to exercise caution, and no one is obligated to attend these minyanim.

Please be mindful of neighbors, and do not draw unnecessary attention to the minyanim. All attendees should arrive on foot, and depart promptly after davening.

Under no circumstance should the above guidelines be compromised, as any non-adherence will jeopardize Tefillah B’Tzibbur for the entire community. Regardless, we will reassess whether or not to continue the minyanim in two weeks.

Please email minyanimvolunteers@gmail.com if you can assist Chaveirim in coordinating the setup of the minyanim.

We take this opportunity to instruct the men, women and children of our community, that although the Governor of Ohio is relaxing some
of the state’s policies, it remains critical to refrain from non-essential movement or outings, and to follow social distancing recommendations at all times and in all places (e.g. wearing masks in public, six feet distance, etc.). This includes, but is not limited to, families congregating outdoors, essential outings to purchase food or household items, and employees in their workplaces.

We are grateful to the community for their compliance and restraint, both past and future. The world is in desperate need of our focused and contemplative prayer. Let us pray for the sick, and that Hashem protect us, and the courageous healthcare workers who risk danger to care for the stricken.

May the Tefillah B’Tzibbur add potency to our prayers, so that we soon see an end to this crisis, May we merit Yeshuos and Refuos soon.

Va’ad HaRabbonim of Greater Cleveland