Leaders of the Federation of Synagogues have added their voice to the calls for the government to rethink its planned prohibition of religious services in the new lockdown in England. 

In a letter to Communities Secretary, Robert Jenrick, on Tuesday, the Federation’s Rav, Rabbi Shraga Feivel Zimmerman, and president, Andrew Cohen, urged a review of the policy that would allow only private prayer inside places of worship from Thursday. 

Voicing concern at the planned shutdown, they wrote: “As we are sure you are aware, Judaism places utmost importance on the saving and preservation of lives, which take precedence and override almost all other religious obligations. 

“The Jewish community, no less than the rest of the United Kingdom, has experienced the devastating effects of Covid-19 first-hand, and has carefully followed the guidance and instructions of the government and its medical and scientific advisors” 

They said they were not aware of “recorded cases of people contracting the virus from socially-distanced communal prayer services”. 

They added: “It is our belief that our synagogues can continue to function as places of communal prayer without introducing any significant risk in transmission of the virus, by continuing to require congregants to wash their hands upon entering the premises, sit apart from each other and wear face masks.” 

There was an impression that in “drafting the proposed new rules, the government, not having engaged with the various faith communities, has created policies that indicate a particular concept of communal prayer that does not reflect the reality at least of Orthodox Jewish practice.” 

They went on: “Our lifestyle and daily activities revolve around communal prayer. In addition, it has been widely recognised that particularly in times of crises, communal prayer can provide a source of hope, inspiration and unity of purpose, all of which are prerequisites for the positive spirit, mental well-being and sense of ‘we’ll get through this together’ that are essential for the nation to survive this crisis.” 

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis signed a letter with leaders of other faiths to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Mr Jenrick on Tuesday appealing for collective prayers to be allowed to continue