Prominent rabbi Chaim Kanievsky reportedly orders Haredi boys schools to reopen tomorrow, though they continue to be prohibited from doing so under nationwide lockdown measures meant to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Rabbi Kanievsky, who is himself infected with the coronavirus, handed down the order after no agreement was reached over the past week for reopening the schools, the Behadrei Haredim website says.
He calls for students to adhere to social distancing measures and limit the number of pupils per classroom, according to the Ynet news site.
Kanievsky, a leader of a non-Hasidic Lithuanian branch of ultra-Orthodox Judaism, ordered schools to reopen earlier this week but later reversed course.
Rabbi Gershon Edelstein, another prominent community leader, says students should continue to do distance learning, the news site adds.
Preschools and daycares, including in virus hotspots, will be allowed to reopen tomorrow as part of an initial rollback of the lockdown, but all other schools must remain closed.
Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky seen at his home in the city of Bnei Brak, on September 22, 2020. (Aharon Krohn/Flash90)
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