Rabbi's Blog

Dear OZ family,

I taught live in person students at YU today for the first time in almost a year and a half. This semester, I’m also teaching at Stern College, and both schools are maintaining high levels of safety standards. They are both allowing vaccinated students to maintain close to normal pre-Covid activity. With the Yomim Noraim season approaching, we are expecting larger-than-usual crowds and we will do everything we can to maintain a safe environment for all worshippers on Rosh Hashana & Yom Kippur. There is an outdoor option in addition to a well-spaced indoor sunrise service option for those who wish, and we strongly encourage extra safety measures for the main shul services that begin at 9:15am. To this end, masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer will be available in the front lobby. We do not mandate the use of masks for vaccinated worshippers, but we do for those who are not vaccinated, and to reiterate, we urge everyone to consider the extra safety that masking affords.

No one is masked at YU and Stern, as we have not been masked for Shabbos morning services. We intend to limit the time for the indoor Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur services and most of the singing will be done by the Chazanim, who will be masked.

We are trying to strike a balance of safety and meaningful tefilla. Precise guidelines will be posted for the holidays, and we expect everyone to scrupulously follow them. The decision not to mandate masking for all, while encouraging extra safety measures is a standard I hope all our members can accept and appreciate.

Please join me in wishing Mazel Tov to Hudi and Marshall Chrein, on the Bris this morning of their son, Aharon Pinchas.

Also you may contact Karyn Vega, who is sitting shiva for her father, in California, at 310 967-9292 or karynwinkler@gmail.com. Please note the 3 hour time difference.

Be safe. Be healthy. Be excellent.

Rabbi Allen Schwartz

Rabbi Allen Schwartz

Congregation Ohab Zedek

118 West 95^th Street | New York, NY  10025-6604

Phone 212.749-5150, ext 200 | Fax 212.663-3635

E-mail ras@ozny.org

Website:  www.ozny.org