A group of influential Orthodox rabbis in North-West London, including the heads of three batei din, have released video messages stressing the importance of following the government’s social distancing rules. 

The seven short videos were issued on a website, Keep our Kehillo [Community] Safe. 

The rabbis include Dayan Menachem Gelley, head of the London Beth Din, Rabbi Shraga Feivel Zimmerman, head of the Federation Beth Din, Dayan Abraham David, head of the Sephardi Beth Din and Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchok Bixenspanner, the rabbi of Hendon Adass Yisroel Synagogue.

In his appeal, Rabbi Zimmerman urged the community: “Don’t let your guard down now”. 

His and Dayan Gelley’s messages were recorded before news broke of a police raid on an illicit wedding in Stamford Hill the week before last. 

But the other videos were recorded following the event, which caused outrage in the wider Jewish community. 

 “We have an absolute obligation to others,” Dayan Gelley stressed. “It is essential that we continue to maintain all the precautions we know in order to prevent the spread of the disease.”