Maryland county’s corona guidelines put the kibosh on communion — and kiddush
Synagogues will be prohibited from holding kiddush receptions under new guidelines. Image by iStock
By Irene Katz Connelly May 28, 2020
A Maryland county issued an executive order that permits synagogues to reopen but effectively prohibits kiddush receptions.
As of May 29, houses of worship in Howard County may hold services with up to 10 people inside and 250 people outside. However, most forms of physical contact, from shaking hands to sharing food, are prohibited.
“No consumption of food or beverage of any kind is permitted during, before, or after religious services. This includes food or beverage that would typically be consumed as part of religious practices,” said a guidance flyer distributed by Howard County Executive Calvin Ball.
Beginning at 7am on May 29th, religious institutions may resume services assuming the following guidelines are met. The guidelines refer to churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, interfaith centers, and any other space where faith gatherings are held.https://t.co/XE0soDdV3l pic.twitter.com/NieG0MavCv
— Calvin Ball (@HoCoGovExec) May 26, 2020
While the resumption of prayer will be welcomed by many, those who attend synagogue for the sake of kiddush — the post-Shabbat morning receptions that allow congregants to mingle, gossip, and nosh — will be disappointed.
There are eight synagogues in Howard County that will be affected by the ban.
Other states have discouraged, if not directly prohibited, the sharing of food and drink as well. Guidelines for the state of California, which allows services with up to 100 attendees, asked houses of worship to “consider modifying practices that are specific to particular faith traditions that might encourage the spread of COVID-19,” including the sharing of common cups.
In New York, where religious services of up to ten people are permitted, some religious leaders have independently suspended rituals that require sharing of drinks. Guidelines for Catholic churches released by Cardinal Timothy Dolan said that churches would not initially distribute Communion, a ritual that involves sharing a common cup of wine.
Irene Katz Connelly is an editorial fellow at the Forward. You can contact her at connelly@forward.com.
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