Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on August 15, 2021

RAMAPO A Hasidic Jewish wedding expected to attract thousands of guests on Tuesday will not be held at the Rockland Community College fieldhouse.

Concerns about spreading the deadly delta variant of the coronavirus led Rockland Health Commissioner Patricia Schnabel Ruppert to advise the college to cancel all rentals and large-scale events, officials said Thursday.

"It seems that theRockland County health commissioner has advised the college to refrain from large-scale events given the increase in cases and the dangers associated with the Delta variant," college spokesperson Risa Hoag said.

"So, effective immediately, RCC is suspending all fieldhouse rentals for the next 60 days and they will reconsider rentals after the suspension period based on the health and safety circumstances at that time," Hoag said.

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The Ger Hasidic Jewish wedding had been scheduled at the college fieldhouse on Tuesday after plans for a New Jersey location reportedly didn't pan out.The fieldhouse capacity is 5,025 people, according to the RCC website.

The college never executed an agreement with the partiesas it was determined that it would be inappropriatedue to the "dangerous delta variant,"said Susan Lyddon, vice president forInstitutional Advancement for RCC.

There was no indication on where the wedding will be held as representatives of the community werenot immediately available for comment.

Ramapo Supervisor Michael Specht said Thursday he was not aware of RCC's decision and has not been approached to rent out the Palisades Credit Union Park, the home of the New York Boulders.

Specht said while the ballpark is outdoors, if asked, he'd have to consult with the health department and other officials given the health issues.

The Ger Hasidim is the Jewish state's largest Hasidic sect. It is based in Israel but has a following in Rockland, where the rabbi has been staying.

The Ger Hasidim is aPolish Hasidic dynastyoriginating from the town ofGra Kalwaria,Poland.

Beforethe Holocaust during World War II, Ger followers were estimated at more than100,000. Ger had beenestimated at12,000 in Israel as of 2016.

John Lyon, a spokespersonfor County Executive Ed Day, said the government learned about the RCC event on Wednesday.

Lyon said significant concerns were raised about holding any type of large-scale event given the recent increases in local active COVID-19 cases and the presence of the delta variant in Rockland. Lyon said they "agree with ... and appreciate" RCC's decision.

The wedding organizers will pay for security and other costs by the Rockland Sheriff's Office, which is responsible for the college and county property.

Rockland Countys COVID dashboards show that there were 608 active confirmed cases on Aug. 11; on Aug. 5, there were 321, and on July 27 there were 156.

New York state laws were enacted to limit large gatherings due to COVID-19, though most restrictions have ended.

Hasidic weddings can draw thousands of people.

Thousands reportedlyattended a Satmar wedding in Brooklyn in November 2020, leading to a reprimand by city and state officials and a threat of a $15,000 fine.

The wedding, which lasted more than four hours, was held at the Yetev Lev DSatmar synagogue in Williamsburg and celebrated the marriage of Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum, the grandson of Satmar Grand Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum.

During the pandemic and earlier measles outbreak, larger crowds of people in Rockland, including amid the Hasidic communities, congregated for social events, funerals and burials, and other gatherings.

The county attempted to crack down on the large gatherings in violation of regulations and even asked the public to report incidents to the police and health department.

Steve Lieberman coversgovernment, breaking news, courts, police, and investigations.Reach him at slieberm@lohud.com. Twitter: @lohudlegal.Read more articlesandbio.Our local coverage is only possible with support from our readers.

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Rockland Hasidic wedding won't be held at community college amid COVID - The Journal News

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