Muswell Hill Synagogue
Shofetim 6/7 September 2024 7.21pm 8.22pm

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) – AN UPDATE FROM MHS 13.03.20

Below is a continued update from the United Synagogue that we are passing on to you, the community. This will reinforce and add to advice we already have passed on regarding washing, no handshaking or person-to-person physical contact. We are providing a kiddush this week, which is sponsored by the Barmitzvah family although the entire kiddush will be served to you on plates that you will dispose of when finished with. I would also like to add that if you are of an older generation or have medical issues, I would advise you not to come to Shul in order to keep safe and healthy. We are monitoring the situation daily, are up-to-date on government information, and have two members of the community who are in the medical profession thinking through with us how to apply that to our Shul. Wishing you all a healthy Shabbat and if you would like to be in touch to chat or share your worries, please do email me and we can arrange to chat.
 
*NB OUR ORDER OF GEL HAS STILL NOT ARRIVED SO IF ANYONE HAS ANY THAT THEY CAN SPARE AND CAN BRING IT IN TO THE SHUL TODAY THEN PLEASE BE IN TOUCH.
 
Information from Muswell Hill Synagogue
Please be advised that, in light of all recommendations, we will continue to take further precautions as follows:

  1. There is a Bar Mitzvah  tomorrow and the family are providing a lovely Kiddush for the Community.  The food will be laid out buffet-style and will be SERVED to you – your patience in resisting the temptation to help yourselves will be much appreciated.
  2. We will continue to use disposable bowls and cutlery – please use the bins/bags provided around the Hall to dispose of these items immediately after you’ve finished with them.
  3. Once again, all drinks will be set out in disposable cups.  When you’ve finished your drink or, If you take a sip from one but don’t want to finish it, please pour any remainder into the jugs provided on each table and throw your cup into one of the bins.

Whilst we appreciate that this is not in line with our eco-policy, we hope that you will appreciate that this is a temporary measure borne out of health and safety concerns.
 
Guidance from the US
At this stage, in line with government guidance, there is no requirement to cancel community events. However, the situation might change, particularly in relation to those events that attract or are aimed at vulnerable people and those aged over 70. In light of this, we will review our events programme on an ongoing basis for the coming weeks but, in the meantime, members should not attend shul if they have:

  • Recently visited one of the areas or been in contact with someone who has recently visited one of the areas listed in government guidance where there are currently Coronavirus clusters. See the ‘Returning travelers’ section here
  • Been in contact with someone who has suspected or confirmed Coronavirus
  • Flu symptoms or a cold (even if mild)
  • If following these guidelines would mean, for example, a member was unable to say kaddish in a minyan for a loved one, please consult with your Rabbi to find an appropriate solution which might include someone else saying kaddish on their behalf.
  • Following NHS guidelines, members are encouraged to wash their hands regularly using warm water and soap.
  • Given that the virus can be transferred by hand, we suggest members refrain from shaking hands and/or kissing when greeting. Following this, members should refrain from kissing mezuzot, communal siddurim and chumashim and sifrei Torah until the threat is over.

Visiting your friends and family:
The safety and well-being of our members, their families and friends is, of course, very important to us and we will continue to do all we can to help keep everyone safe – and to support anyone who unfortunately becomes unwell.
If you are visiting people in their own home, in a residential care home or in hospital, for the benefit of both the people who are doing the visits and the people who are being visited, please:

  • Telephone before you go to make sure the person/their family is happy for you to visit, where possible. If you are not able to visit, provide as much support as you can during the call and check if the person needs telephone support only or whether they have practical issues such as food or medicine.
  • Check if the establishment you are visiting has any special guidelines before you set out.

Please do not go if:

  • The person you are visiting has an infectious illness, corona virus or any other illness
  • You are unwell yourself, whatever your symptoms
  • You have been advised to self-isolate
  • You have been in contact with someone who has suspected or confirmed coronavirus
  • You have yourself or have had contact with someone who has returned from any of the countries listed in either category one or category two on the UK government website.

During a visit, please:

  • Exercise good hand hygiene i.e. wash your hands before and after your visit. If you are visiting a number of people in the same place do this after you’ve visited each person.

Check if the person needs other help e.g someone to shop for them and let your care co-ordinator know. 

National advice

Government latest information: Click here

NHS guidance: Click here

Government travel advice: Click here