Scotland's only Reform shul suspends in-person services over Omicron fears

Glasgow Reform Synagogue - the only Reform shul in Scotland – has decided to revert to online services only in the light of the spread of the Omicron variant.

The shul has urged members to “take care during the coming days to protect themselves”, adding that the situation would be reviewed later in the month.

In London, a major Reform congregation, Alyth in Golders Green, did not hold physical services over the New Year weekend.

It expected to resume Shabbat services this week with “additional risk mitigation measures in place”.

These include that attendees over the age of 11 should be either fully vaccinated (including a booster) or record a negative lateral flow test up to 24 hours before.

The shul advises that “members should be prepared to show evidence of this on entry to the synagogue and will not be able to enter if they cannot show evidence when asked to do so”.

Windows will be “fully open for all activities” and members are urged to dress accordingly.
In Leeds, the small Queenshill congregation has suspended services because of Omicron concerns.

The synagogue,, which reopened its doors in August, is based at the Marjorie and Arnold Ziff Community Centre and has about a dozen regulars.

“We just think it’s better to suspend services for the time being to see how we go because we have quite an elderly congregation,” said its secretary, Louise Diamond. The prayer area was “not very big so we thought we’d try and keep contacts down as best we can”, she added.

She stressed that the move was precautionary and would be kept under review.