The Vaad Harabonim of Raritan Valley is closely monitoring the evolving public health concern regarding COVID-19 coronavirus, and we are in regular communication with experts in the field to ensure we follow the best available practices in safeguarding our community. The situation is very fluid and may change from day to day. Our inter-connected community demands coordination among all of our individual shuls as we prepare for a possible outbreak in this area.
The Vaad Harabonim will be working as a team to ensure that vital services remain as functional as possible should conditions change in Central New Jersey. We have discussed contingencies for mikvah operations (a separate communication will be sent out about mikvah), eruv checking, and other critical institutions, as well as pre-Pesach activities such as Sale of Chametz.
After consultation with medical professionals, we provide the following guidelines and recommendations:
COVID-19 coronavirus is potentially a serious health issue, especially for older and immunocompromised people. Therefore:
If you feel you could be at risk due to age or any medical condition, please do not attend public gatherings, including shul.
If you develop symptoms of influenza-like or respiratory illness (cough, fever, and shortness of breath), it is important that you refrain from attending shul, and do seek care from your healthcare professional.
The biblical obligation to safeguard personal and public health is no less severe than any other mitzvah and we ask that you join us in strictly adhering to CDC hygiene guidelines. (For information about these guidelines and COVID-19 coronavirus, please consult the CDC website.)
We are not recommending that our shuls cancel minyanim, shiurim, or youth groups for healthy people at this time. Kiddush/seudah shlishis is at the discretion of the individual shuls. We are aware that there are other communities in New Jersey that have closed shuls, but that step has not been recommended to us by Middlesex county officials and medical experts.
However, for your safety and the safety of others, please follow the best practices as recommended by the CDC, including proper hand washing, and avoiding close contact (within six feet) with people who are sick.
We are particularly concerned about the isolation of members of our community, many of them elderly, who live alone and are in compromised health. We call upon members of our shuls to reach out to their friends and neighbors in this situation so that they feel the community's embrace and that no one in our midst feel alone.
Finally, we ask all members of our shuls that while acting with proper caution we daven for all those around the world who are suffering from this epidemic. May Hashem grant them Refuah Sheleimah and protect us during this challenging time.