“It’s a decision that we certainly haven’t made lightly, not one that we really wanted to make because in the last couple of weeks we’ve had so many people that come in say to us ‘thank you for staying open’.”
He added that following the latest government advice, JW3’s nursery would remain open, as would the Gateways educational programme.
Mr Simonson said the government had left JW3 and the wider events and hospitality industries “in the dark” concerning financial support, but that he did not want to criticise them too much as the situation was “something unprecedented; none of us know.”
It comes as New North London Synagogue announced it would suspend all shul activity in light of the Governmentr’s latest advice about avoiding "non essential contact" to stop the spread of coronavirus.
In a statement, the shul said that all services would cease, cheder would be cancelled until further notice, and families scheduled to have Bar/Bat Mitzvahs in the months until August would be contacted to discuss options.
Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg said no decision “has left me with a heavier heart".
He added: "It feels symbolic that we should have to send it in the very week in which read the Torah portion Vayakhel, which describes how Moses gathered the Children of Israel together.
“But that must be our inspiration: we will find ways to look after each other, remain connected, learn Torah, pray and seek out what is sacred and beautiful in life, despite the fact that we cannot gather in person."
