The movement has not had to make redundancies, being able to furlough the majority of staff. Many have now moved onto the part-time furlough scheme introduced by the Chancellor.
There had been pay cuts of between eight and 12 per cent but Dr Plen stressed that the lowest paid had not had their salaries reduced.
Although members were continuing to pay their fees, he acknowledged: “I think we might expect to see more trouble with that in the future.”
Anecdotally, he was aware of a number of deaths due to coronavirus within the Masorti community, recalling “a wave of people being ill” at the beginning of the lockdown.
At New London, meanwhile, a spokesperson reported that the shul had reopened a fortnight ago “having made extensive preparations to ensure we were Covid compliant. We are having Shabbat morning services, slightly shortened, for up to 40 members.
“We are very much hoping to be able to offer some High Holy-Day services ‘in building’ in September.”
