Dear Parents,
We have received many emails and calls from parents informing us about the calls that they received over the course of the day from New York City tracers, and we clearly understand the confusion that these calls have caused.
The Hanhala and Yeshiva administration have been hard at work throughout the day, engaged in thorough internal review of positive cases and constant communication with the DOH and government officials across the spectrum, seeking a way to resolve the situation as quickly and safely as possible. At this time, we must inform you that we are forced to be closed through Yom Kippur. As of now, we hope to resume with at least two days of in-person classes between Yom Kippur and Sukkos.
As of tonight, of the 110 classes in the Yeshiva, we have confirmed positive cases in the following 8 classes: NC, 7H, 7Z, 8L, 9S, 11EI, 12S, BM. All parents of these classes have previously been notified.
Although there has been no official quarantine order, the DOH has informed us that New York City tracers have been contacting the parents of all YDT students to recommend quarantine. While we have been receiving many medical questions from parents, the yeshiva is not in a position to provide medical advice. If anyone has individual health questions, they are encouraged to consult with their pediatricians.
Finally, we want to be very clear and direct that the health and safety of every student, all of our staff and the entire extended community weighs heavily on our minds and the minds of the entire hanhala and administration of the yeshiva. Since last March, when YDT was the first to close, this was and continues to be at the forefront of our minds when making the tough decisions the Yeshiva has had to make. We will continue to follow these guiding principles as we fully cooperate with City officials and the Department of Health first and foremost to keep our students and staff safe and healthy and to get them back to the classroom as soon as possible.
This year, it is more important than ever to remember what Chazal tell us, that we should daven for the health and wellbeing of our families on Yomim Noraim. K’siva vachasima tovah!
P.S. We have tried to keep up with the volume of emails but it has been difficult given the many internal discussions. Thank you for your understanding.
Rabbi Yaakov Bender
Reopening Committee
Yehuda Biber
Rabbi Eli Biegeleisen
Elisha Brecher
Alon Goldberger
Joel Kaplan
Lloyd Keilson
Pinkus Mayer
Baruch Rothman
Elie Schwab
Yeshiva Darchei Torah
257 Beach 17th St
Far Rockaway,
