18 | JUNE 18 • 2020 

Should Synagogues
Reopen?

Jews in the D

P

erhaps it’
s because pikuach nefesh, the 
saving of life, is the ultimate Jewish 
value — overriding all other com-
mandments except the prohibitions against 
murder, idolatry and sex crimes — that few 
synagogues and temples in the Detroit area 
are reopening for services.
And perhaps it’
s because Orthodox 
congregations have not, in general, held 
services using Zoom or other remote access 
programs — certainly not on the Sabbath 
or holidays when they do not use electrici-
ty — that they have been the first to restart 
in-person services.
Michigan’
s Orthodox Vaad HaRabonim, 
or rabbis’
 council, issued a letter May 21 
providing guidelines congregations can use 
to safely start minyanim — assemblies of at 
least 10 — for services, noting that specifics 
should depend on the size and layout of 
each synagogue and the age and risk factors 
of members.
All minyanim, whether indoors or out-
doors, must, according to the Vaad’
s guide-
lines, include the maintenance of social dis-
tancing and the wearing of masks. Anyone 
over 65 should not participate without 
permission from a physician. Services inside 
homes are not permitted. Each congrega-
tion should appoint a monitor to ensure the 
guidelines are being followed.
With these guidelines in mind, Dovid Ben 
Nuchim, an Orthodox synagogue in Oak 
Park, resumed daily services on May 27. 
Children under 13 are not permitted, and 
there is no open women’
s section. Everyone 
must wash or sanitize his hands upon entry. 
Those wanting to participate need to request 
a spot in a particular minyan and fill out a 

form agreeing to abide by the 
guidelines.
Keter Torah, the Sephardic 
synagogue in West Bloomfield, 
started holding morning ser-
vices on Memorial Day week-
end. The first Shabbat they had 
about 15 men; on Shavuot, 19 
men and two women attended, said Rabbi 
Sasson Natan.
The congregation is not allowing chil-
dren or anyone over age 70 at services. All 
congregants must wear masks and gloves 
and sit so there are at least three empty seats 
between individuals. Windows and doors 
are kept open in the synagogue to encourage 
air circulation.
Rabbi Sasson reads the Torah, and anyone 
honored with an aliyah stands at the back of 
the bimah so he can see — but not touch — 
the scroll.
The rabbi sees a benefit unrelated to the 
coronavirus in the mandate to wear masks. 
“Now we have a reminder that tells us do 
not talk in the sanctuary unless it is really 
necessary,
” he said. 
Rabbi Yechiel Morris of Young 
Israel of Southfield says his 
congregation may try to reopen 
in mid-June. “The Orthodox 
Union has suggested waiting 14 
days after any reopening date 
suggested by the governor to see 
if there’
s an uptick (in COVID-
19 cases),
” he said. “We will wait 
to see how things play out in Michigan.
”
Conservative and Reform congregations 
are in no hurry to reopen. Most have been 
doing daily and Shabbat services online, and 
many see a higher attendance at the virtual 

minyanim than they experienced 
in person. Rabbi Aaron Starr 
of Conservative Congregation 
Shaarey Zedek in Southfield said 
their average daily minyan atten-
dance has nearly tripled. 
Rabbi Robert Gamer of 
Conservative Congregation 
Beth Shalom in Oak Park also 
said daily minyan attendance 
has increased. The congregation 
started doing Sunday through 
Friday evening services by 
Zoom in March and added daily 
morning minyanim in mid-
May. The congregation has been 
live-streaming Shabbat morning 
services for almost five years, and in mid-
May they returned to doing so from the 
synagogue’
s bimah; only the rabbi, Cantor 
Sam Greenbaum and Torah reader Howard 
Marcus are present.
At Reform Temple Beth El in Bloomfield 
Township, the clergy and lay leaders are 
evaluating a number of possibilities, includ-
ing allowing private events such as b’
nai 
mitzvah starting in August, holding outdoor 
services on Friday night and having clergy 
lead Friday night virtual services from the 
temple, rather than from home. Temple 
Israel in West Bloomfield’
s building is closed 
to the public but the temple hosts a number 
of services and educational programs on 
Zoom, Facebook Live and YouTube.
Starr spoke for many community rabbis 
when he noted, “We are more than our 
building …We are the family that truly cares 
for one another, stands with one another, 
works with one another and who looks for-
ward to a bright future together.
” 

Rabbi Sasson 
Natan

Some congregations are moving ahead slowly — 
with caution — while others plan to wait.

BARBARA LEWIS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

KETER TORAH

The sanctuary at Keter Torah, which began holding 
morning services on Memorial Day weekend with 
strict guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Rabbi Yechiel 
Morris 

Rabbi Aaron 
Starr

Rabbi Robert 
Gamer

