CORONAVIRUS

Tech will change shul life for ever

CHAZAN Alby Chait, of United Hebrew Congregation, Leeds, has embraced technology during the pandemic.

When told that the synagogue had to remain shut to congregants, he took his weekday services online.

He now streams daily to thousands of people using Facebook Live.

The 34-year-old, married to Gila, said: “With the synagogue doors closing, it's opened other doors of opportunity.

“This is something we never thought would ever happe n — even during the Second World War, people got together to pray.

“To be able to bring Judaism into the homes of people is an opportunity people never had before, and it's a true honour.”

Chazan Chait's normal morning services, which might have had up to 50 people attending, now have more than 500 people tuning in, while his Friday night service — which stops just before the prayer for accepting Shabbat is recited — has had 2,500 viewers at its peak.

“Synagogue life will change forever,” he explained. “I've been an advocate for shuls to move into the next stage of tech, and I think people now realise how much more you can achieve with tech.

“One guy messaged me, who didn't live close to the shul, saying he had bought a siddur online so he could follow my services.

“He said that I’d brought the synagogue to him, and didn't want me to take it away when this is finished.”

Chazan Chait’s Thursday morning shiur normally has seven people attending. He is now bringing his teachings to more than 100 people online.

He added: “I want to maintain this in some way when this is all over.

“There is no reason whatsoever, certainly in the summer, that we can't continue this service, perhaps enhancing it with instruments etc.”

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