Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis has restated his view that synagogues should remain closed, particularly in light of the “alarming” figures released by the Office for National Statistics, showing a greater death rate from coronavirus within the Jewish community than in the wider population.

In a new statement to rabbis and synagogue leaders, Rabbi Mirvis said he was responding to requests for clarification following a relaxation in restrictions allowing places of worship to reopen for private prayer.

A number of Charedi congregations have taken up this option, albeit with limits on numbers and attendance by appointment.

Rabbi Mirvis acknowledged “that we would all dearly love to be back in our shul buildings for communal prayer services and all the other wonderful activities that make our shuls powerful spiritual hubs and vital community centres”. Being unable to daven in a minyan for so long had been “incredibly painful”.

However, “since individual prayer in our shuls is not a feature of Jewish communal life, it is clear to me that our shuls must remain closed until the government permits places of worship to be open for communal prayer”.

If synagogues were opened now, “those present for individual prayer might be tempted to daven together in a minyan which would be a clear breach of the law and a desecration of Hashem’s name. It could also lead inadvertently to the government delaying the opening of places of worship for communal prayer.”

He thanked congregations for their "much-valued partnership during these challenging times. Together, we are providing a model of responsible Torah leadership for our communities, of which I am immensely proud.”

The Reform and Progressive movements have indicated that their synagogues will remain closed beyond the High Holy-Days.