covid19updates

• If you (or a family member) has depression, anxiety, or any other mental health concern that might be exasperated by the isolation of the three day Yom Tov, please reach out to your therapist or me to strategize about possible interventions.
• Those who are at risk of mental deterioration must not wait for severe symptoms, such as suicidal ideation (thinking about committing suicide), to develop before calling for help; preventative calls are Halachically obligatory.
• Furthermore, it is important to do all we can to prevent hospitalization. In the current circumstances, avoiding the exposure to COVID-19 that may occur if at a hospital is an important factor in protecting one’s health. One who feels at any risk of physical danger or depression due to mental, physical, substance abuse, or abuse issues, or other grave disorders, is required to use a phone on Yom Tov or Shabbat to call for help.

 
Whom should you call?

In all cases of immediate danger, call 911.  

For those struggling with potentially dangerous mental health challenges on Yom Tov and Shabbat, an anonymous support line has been set up by Amudim. The support line currently has over 60 volunteers answering phones from 8 AM to 11 PM EST. Calls that come in after-hours or that cannot be answered by available volunteers are transferred to a live 24/7 call center to be returned as quickly as possible. Staff members are monitoring all calls to ensure that urgent matters are replied to without delay, even overnight. Callers can reach out for help by dialing 888-7-AMUDIM, 888-726-8346 or 718-972-3000, with caller ID disabled on incoming calls to ensure complete confidentiality; and help is also available via email at support@amudim.org.
 
Those with a friend or family member who might call them for such a reason, must leave their phones on during Shabbat and Yom Tov and monitor the caller ID of calls received. They should not hesitate to answer the phone or return a call when that person calls on Shabbat or Yom Tov and may speak as long as is necessary. Those who know someone who is at risk—a family member, friend or neighbor—should reach out to him/her in a way that maintains the restrictions of social distancing.
 
 
Given the severity of our times and under the guidance of Rabbi Mordechai Willig, my cell phone (561-271-4148) will be left on and monitored over Yom Tov and Shabbat. I am available for anyone who are feeling vulnerable or at risk. Please use these numbers strictly in cases of potential emergency or life threatening circumstances.
 
All of this is because the Torah places protecting and maintaining our health as a prime Torah value. When a person follows these guidelines, they are not considered to be violating Yom Tov or Shabbat at all. Our rabbis explain that the Torah places such an emphasis on protecting our health, that any question or doubt regarding our health requires that we violate Shabbat and Yom Tov to deal with it.
 
We pray for an end to this terrible pandemic, for the recovery of those afflicted with the virus, and for the safety and well-being of all those who struggle during these difficult times. 
 
Wishing you all a Chag Kasher, Bari, V'Sameach – a kosher, healthy and happy Pesach!
 

Rabbi Tuvia Brander

Follow-up Joint Statement to the Orthodox Community Regarding Pesach

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.

We are all joined in prayer for the success of these efforts at containment, and for a speedy recovery for all those already affected. 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.

All of us share in the grief and uncertainty that is being experienced by so many individuals and families at this difficult time.

We wish for one and all that they be blessed with health and the ability to commemorate these days with meaning and with a measure of joy.

In light of the upcoming festival, we must again share critical notes of guidance. We note that the situation continues to evolve, and under all circumstances, nothing should be done that is not within the current guidance offered by local governments and health departments, as well as within the standards prescribed by communal rabbinic and medical leadership.
 

1. Everyone must plan to celebrate Pesach where they are currently. Travel to other cities, or visits with family even within your city, should be cancelled. This applies to the entirety of Pesach, including Chol HaMoed and the last days.
2. While fresh air walks are encouraged, there should not be Chol HaMoed trips or excursions to parks, playgrounds and other venues, as these will create gathering points for community and pose a grave danger.
3. The limitation against holding Minyanim – indoors or outdoors – must sadly remain in place at this time, without exception.
4. Shopping trips must absolutely be limited to the bare minimum, and – where critical – should be done while wearing a cloth mask, per current CDC guidance. Consolidate lists, and make do with less. Take delivery or curbside pick up whenever possible. This should be observed before, during and following Yom Tov. A crush of shoppers at our stores is a risk we cannot afford.
5. Bi’ur Chametz: At this time of great stress, we may do nothing that would possibly add any stress or burden to our emergency responders. Without a controlled communal bi’ur, significant risk would be posed by the creation of fires – public or private – for the burning of chametz. chametz may be disposed of via trash pick up or the sale of chametz, and the ten very small pieces from the bedikah may be crumbled and flushed.
   
   STAY HOME; SAVE LIVES

We urge one and all – while strictly maintaining the prescribed guidelines – to look out for each other by reaching out to and providing for each other, especially those living alone.

We hope and pray that our sincere tefillos (prayers) and chassadim (acts of kindness) will move Hashem to swiftly remove this plague from the world and bless us all with health, peace and tranquility.

Chag kasher v’sameach!

Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, Executive Vice President, Agudath Israel of America
Rabbi Mendy Mirocznick, Executive Vice-President, Igud HaRabbanim - Rabbinical Alliance of America
Rabbi Shmuel Blech, Chairman, Rabbi Moshe Zev Weisberg, Co-Chair, the Lakewood Vaad
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