Special Considerations Regarding the Pandemic

 

Nothing is more important than our commitment to the safety of our community members and guests. Given the information currently available, we will need to take certain precautions because of the pandemic, including limiting the number of men who can daven at the shul in accordance with state guidelines. 

 

We expect to be able to accommodate all visitors, but since the number of visitors allowed in the shul will be changing over the summer as the County opens up, we can not know for certain in the event that there is a large influx of visitors.  

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Therefore, we are asking all men who want to daven at the shul to make advance reservations. Please text Yaacov Notis at 848 459 6264 and tell him which services you would like to attend and how many are in your party. Yaakov will text you back a confirmation.  

 

If demand is high, we will have to schedule more than one minyan. 

 

We will be using the main upstairs shul only so that there is adequate space for social distancing. Do not sit within six feet of anyone else.  All visitors to the shul must wear masks. There is hand sanitizer available at the entrance of the upstairs shul.  All visitors must use the front main door (nearest to Columbia Avenue).  

 

In addition to Degel Israel, Lancaster is home to Yeshiva Meor David under the leadership of Rabbi Avremel Notis. A number of the bochurim have been “isolated in place” and living in the dormitory at Degel Israel during the entire pandemic. However, we will make sure they are seated in a special section in the front of the shul during davening to maintain some isolation.  We ask all visitors to sit in the rear of the shul, preferably behind the glass mehitza.  

 

Regular Daily Minyan Schedule

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Weekday

Shacharis - 7:45 AM

Mincha - 3:15 PM

Maariv - 9:45 PM

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If there is sufficient demand,  we  will have a Mincha / Maariv at twenty minutes before sunset.

 

Shabbos

Friday night Mincha / Maariv  - 7:00 PM

Shabbos morning - 9:00 PM

Mincha - 30 minutes before sunset

Maariv - 50 minutes after sunset

 

 

General Issues

 

Mikvah

 

We have a mikvah available for use by men and women.  The mikvah is open for men between 7:00am – 9:30am.   In order to maintain social distancing, all men are limited to five minutes in the Mikvah and you will not be permitted to use the showers. 

 

Women who wish to use the Mikvah should call 717 990 7412 so that appropriate arrangements can be made. You can leave a confidential message at that number.

 

 

Hotels

 

There are many hotels in Lancaster.  The following hotels are the closest to the shul, about 1.5 miles away:

• Lancaster Arts Hotel, 300 Harrisburg Ave., Lancaster, 717 584 9786

• Holiday Inn Lancaster, 26 E. Chestnut Street, Lancaster, 717 394 0900

• Travelodge by Wyndham, 2101 Columbia Ave., Lancaster,  717 397 4201

• Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square, 5 South Queen St., Lancaster, 717 239 1600

 

In addition, there are guest suites available at the local Chabad, which is about one mile from the shul.  See https://www.kosherpa.com/guest

 

There are a number of AirBNB rentals available within walking distance of the shul.

 

 

Eruv

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Unfortunately, our very limited eruv does not encompass any of these hotels nor any AirBNB rentals that we are aware of.

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Food

 

The shul has a limited number of items for sale including packaged food items and dairy including chalav yisrael milk, yogurt and ice cream.  Kosher meat and chicken are available at:

 

• Weiss Markets, 1700A Fruitville Pike, Lancaster

• Wegman’s, 2000 Crossings Blvd, Lancaster (off Harrisburg Pike)

 

Chalav Yisrael (Kreider Farms) milk is available at:

 

• Giant Food Store (at Stone Mill Plaza), 1360 Columbia Ave., Lancaster

• Weiss Markets (Kendig Square) 2600 Willow Street Pike, Willow St, PA

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Questions

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Further questions can be directed to