YWN has been inundated the past 24 hours with letters from Rabbonim, doctors, major community organizations and Jewish community activists from around the United States with one common message: DO NOT TRAVEL ANYWHERE THIS PESACH.
Below, are the countless letters YWN has been asked to publish.
LAKEWOOD
DO NOT TRAVEL ANYWHERE FOR PESACH – make Pesach here in Lakewood. This applies even if you have been in quarantine for 14 days.
We note that most Kehillos, including Cleveland, Toronto, Miami, Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis and Baltimore, are NOT allowing any visitors, most states have legal travel restrictions, some will arrest people who travel from out of state and who do not enter a BRAND NEW 14 day total quarantine (including keeping away from contact with family members) on arrival to the other state.
We Rabbonim and physicians are fully opposed to any travel over Pesach from the Lakewood area under any circumstances. Do not go to your parents, in-laws or other family members for Pesach, stay home.
This applies to the 1st days, last days and Chol Hamoed alike – we reiterate – STAY HOME.
We strongly call on you to make Pesach in Lakewood. We add that with social distancing rules, and the number of infected growing, you CANNOT count on joining with other local families for Pesach either, so please prepare ahead. If you have an individual question regarding your own personal health or family quarantine circumstances, please call your physician.
Dr. Chone Chaim Lebowitz
Dr. Jonathan Cohen
Dr. Dovid Friedman
Dr. Robert Shanik
Rabbi Yaakov Forchheimer – Beth Medrash Govoha
Rabbi Osher Chaim Lieberman
Rabbi Shmuel Felder
Rabbi Shmuel Meir Katz
Beth Medrash Govoha
JOINT STATEMENT FROM ALL MAJOR JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS
CHICAGO
CLEVELAND
PASSAIC
FLORIDA
BALTIMORE
DETROIT
INDIANA
ST. LOUIS
WATERBURY, CT
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2 Responses
None of the doctors have explained why, if two families have each gone 14 days without symptoms, they cannot get together for yomtov. Not a single explanation. Why not?
It’s not about using electronics to get the information. The head Rabbis should of taken responsibility for any deaths that could have be prevented. The truth is, they refused to accept the facts and fought to continue going to Shul and large gatherings. Seems like none will ever say. I’m sorry we made a mistake and lives were lost. Why can’t the Rabbis ever stand up for the Jewish people. They failed all of us. Sadly this has happened in history too many times. Should have been the way a few weeks ago when the government and doctors said the Rabbi should make this to stop the virus. Speak up the truth