Read on Twitter
I’m afraid to say that this behaviour may have been triggered in part by bogus advice going round the ultra orthodox Jewish community about how to get round the Covid restrictions. I have tweeted about it before https://twitter.com/bbcdaniels/status/1352556331316740098
I have tried repeatedly to communicate with Rabbi Teitelbaum (whose leaflet I understand has gone to thousands of homes) as I guessed his constituents are not my followers on Twitter. I achieved some success in a leaflet being amended but not enough sadly
Anyone reading the leaflets (and I don’t think they have been updated for the lockdown) would think that it was fine to organise large weddings in private venues with very minimal restrictions so no surprise this has been happening.
This is precisely the point I made to Rabbi Teitelbaum in my emails. I did try to set up a call too. I am sorry I didn’t have the time to follow it up more - it’s not just about getting the law right it’s a general attitude problem in some parts of the community (not just UK) https://twitter.com/legalclaret/status/1352576583995940864
And before people pile in, I think as with all thing Covid, better to try and bring community leaders on board than rely on shaming and punishment. It’s a pretty cut off community so I expect bringing the leaders onboard will achieve more success than media shaming
I feel personal shame and responsibility as this is ‘my’ community (though my Jewish life is in reality a world away from Stamford Hill Ultra Orthodox). I have been pretty shocked at some attitudes given that I was always taught that saving lives trumps all in Jewish law.
But also important to appreciate this is the ultra orthodox part of a community and even that part is very divided into sects etc. Many ultra Orthodox Jews acting responsibly as are modern orthodox and other progressive streams (such as my own where synagogues are shut etc)
