Florida Shluchim: Limit Shuls, Mikvah Use

The recently appointed Vaad Hashluchim of Florida ordered that Chabad Shuls catering to “at-risk” community members should close and men’s Mikvahs should not be used at all.

In a letter to Shluchim, the Vaad, in conjunction with Rabbi Aron Lieberman, Rabbi Yossi Marlow and Rabbi Leibel Schapiro, says that the widespread rate of infection currently in Brooklyn “could easily be replicated” in Florida, which is of “even greater concern due to our community’s elderly population.”

“We, therefore, have an achrayos to be extra vigilant,” they said.

They list the following guidelines which have been formulated by Rabbanim and medical professionals.

1. Your shul must close if it is in an at risk community (aged 60 and older, cardiovascular disease, smoking/vaping history, obesity and immunocompromised individuals) or caters to an at risk community
or has members that are affiliated with an at risk community. This includes if there has been a confirmed case, or first degree contact of COVID-19 in your community.

2. If your shul does not fall in the above description and you are still choosing to maintain your minyan: There must be enough space for everyone to maintain a 6 foot distance. There should be no
socializing. If this can’t be maintained the minyan must be cancelled. This may be easier to maintain if you have people sign up to come to shul.

3. Men’s mikvaos should not be used during this time and should either be drained or properly disinfected.

4. Women’s mikvaos: Any woman displaying symptoms should not use the mikvah. A Rav should be consulted for individual guidance.

5. Women’s mikvaos: The mikvah attendant should be under 40 if available. The attendant has to be capable of screening ladies coming in to determine if they should have access to the mikvah.

6. It has been suggested that communities who have cancelled minyanim have members daven together during the weekday over the phone. This is purely for the sake of achdus and a feeling of togetherness. It does not constitute a minyan according to halacha.

Aside from these guidelines it’s of the utmost importance to listen to your city and state guidelines.