Visiting Lancaster, PA & Congregation Degel Israel Summer 2020
Special Considerations Regarding the Pandemic - UPDATED 9/9/2020
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.
Everyone who comes for minyan must wear a mask, no exceptions.
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).
Regular Daily Minyan Schedule
Weekday
Shacharis - 7:45 AM
Mincha - 3:25pm
Maariv - 9:45pm
Click here to check for shkia times
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:
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Lancaster Arts Hotel, 300 Harrisburg Ave., Lancaster, 717 584 9786
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Holiday Inn Lancaster, 26 E. Chestnut Street, Lancaster, 717 394 0900
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Travelodge by Wyndham, 2101 Columbia Ave., Lancaster, 717 397 4201
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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
Unfortunately, our very limited eruv does not encompass any of these hotels nor any AirBNB rentals that we are aware of.
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:
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Weiss Markets, 1700A Fruitville Pike, Lancaster
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Wegman’s, 2000 Crossings Blvd, Lancaster (off Harrisburg Pike)
Chalav Yisrael (Kreider Farms) milk is available at:
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Giant Food Store (at Stone Mill Plaza), 1360 Columbia Ave., Lancaster
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Weiss Markets (Kendig Square) 2600 Willow Street Pike, Willow St, PA
Hersheypark
We had anticipated opening the Kosher Food Truck inside Hersheypark on August 1st.
However, the truck will NOT operate at all this season inside Hersheypark.
Questions
Further questions can be directed to