To ensure safety, the rabbis wore gloves and masks and maintained social distancing. Their “bus stops” were for 45 minutes to maximise the involvement of the community.
The bus — which usually transports special needs children — has been loaned by the Levenfiche Foundation. Olivier Levenfiche, an HGSS congregant, was in the driving seat, happy to support a “very good cause. It’s important to give back.”
Rabbi Friedman also reported a “great response” to the synagogue’s reopening, expecting around 700 at services on the first day Rosh Hashanah.
However, Rabbi Guttentag pointed out that while “700 sounds like a great number, when we’ve got close to 3,000 [members], there’s still quite a large proportion that’s not coming, whether it be those who are feeling vulnerable, and also families with young children”. There will be limited capacity children’s services on Rosh Hashanah.
