The mayor of Ma'ale Adumim, Yehoshua Katz, called for women to be allowed to participate in prayers, and stated that it was not appropriate to ask them to vacate their seats for men - also due to the limitations of the corona.

• Rabbi of Ma'ale Adumim Yehoshua Katz /// Photo: The Ma'ale Adumim Religious Council

The mayor of Ma'ale Adumim, Yehoshua Katz, came out today with an unequivocal statement regarding the place of women in the prayer arrangements for the terrible days in the city's synagogues, and said that women should not be prevented from attending prayers due to corona restrictions, in order to allow more men to attend.

At a special Gabayim yeshiva in preparation for terrible days at the "Uniform Version" synagogue in the city of Ma'ale Adumim, a question arose before the city rabbi, Rabbi Katz, regarding the prayers of women on terrible days.

Rabbi Katz said on the subject that "in our public there are a large number of women who observe prayers not only on holy days and holidays but also on Saturdays, therefore it is not appropriate to require them not to participate in prayers on terrible days so that there are more options for men for women."

The rabbi added: "Women deserve to be involved in prayers in their place, as it has been all these years, and it should be noted that there is a special power for the prayers of the women and adult girls in the synagogue on terrible days.

In addition, Rabbi Katz recommended bringing children from the age of 10 and up to pray on terrible days. If there are children from a younger age, parents will pray with their children outside the synagogue.