Pupils in grades seven and eight in the non-hassidic, haredi (ultra-Orthodox) sector returned to classes on Monday, along with some students in their mid-teens, on a limited basis following instructions from the community’s rabbis.
The two most senior non-hassidic, haredi rabbis, Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky and Rabbi Gershon Edelstein, appointed a three-man committee consisting of Dr. Meshulam Hert and two rabbis. It recommended that students return to school on a restricted basis.
The rabbis ostensibly have given yeshivot ketanot, generally for students ages 14-17, the go-ahead to open. But in adherence to the Health Ministry’s coronavirus guidelines, not all were ready to do so.
More of the schools likely will complete their preparations to conform with the guidelines and procedures required to open by next week, and pupils will return once this process is completed.
The directives set out by Hert and his committee require that pupils come to school with masks and gloves and sit two meters apart, with a maximum of 17 pupils per classroom.
The situation in the hassidic sector differs from community to community.
In the Gerrer community, studies have not resumed because COVID-19 presents a danger to life.
Schools in the Viznitz community have not reopened, although they likely will in the coming days.
The Belz community, which in many instances initially ignored social-distancing orders, has had a high rate of infection. Some of its schools are expected to open this week, but not in Jerusalem since the lockdown of some haredi neighborhoods makes it impractical.