Jews will cautiously come together to celebrate Rosh Hashana next month with mask mandates, coronavirus testing and vaccination requirements in place.
The Jewish New Year celebration — which starts the night of Sept. 6 — begins the High Holy Days and is typically the most crowded service of the year at synagogues. The coronavirus pandemic forced many synagogues last year to switch to online-only observances.
This year it is the COVID-19 Delta variant forcing some last-minute changes.
B’nai Jeshurun, a large Upper West Side synagogue, announced this week that worshippers will need a negative COVID-19 PCR test to attend indoor services. It’s even bringing a testing van outside its sanctuary for members to get the tests ahead of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which begins the night of Sept. 15.
Members will have the option to watch the services on a livestream outdoors where the synagogue will also hold family and children’s services.
At the Orthodox Lincoln Square Synagogue on the Upper West Side, services will be “normal” this year compared with last year’s truncated and socially-distanced worship, said Rabbi Shaul Robinson.
“More people are choosing to try get space at our outdoor service than we initially anticipated,” Robinson said. “So there’s no question about it, the Delta [variant] was a setback to everybody’s sense of confidence.”
Worshippers have to submit proof of vaccination and must wear a mask indoors.
Temple Emanu-El, the large Reform synagogue on Fifth Avenue, is also requiring proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test and for the first time holding a Yom Kippur service for members at Central Park’s SummerStage.
Demand for its online services has increased and the temple has created a new website to stream them.
“These services will be free and open to anyone, anywhere in the world. Everyone is welcome,” said Rabbi Joshua Davidson.