Vaccination drive for returning yeshiva students ahead of High Holy Days

A vaccination drive will be held for returning Yeshiva students ahead of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

The Hackney-based Jewish Community Council (JCC) has arranged the initiative with the local authority and public health groups, amid concerns that strictly-Orthodox men have not got the jab while studying overseas.

Working with Hackney Council, the NHS and Clinical Commission Groups, the drive will begin on 2 September ahead of the High Holy Days, which start on 6 September.

The JCC announced there will be a series of mobile and temporary vaccine clinics outside busy shuls and community halls in Stamford Hill – which will run throughout the month.

Following the lifting of restrictions, it is excepted that the Jewish new year, and Yom Kippur on 15 September, will include large gatherings of people.

It is estimated over two thousand Yeshiva students returning to London after studying oversees will participate in this drive.

Levi Schapiro, JCC Founder, said: “This drive is extremely important to ensure hundreds of Yeshiva Bocherim [students] who were away oversees studying during this latest year, are able to receive their vaccine.

“Many have been worried that they may have missed their opportunity, because those who left before April, at the time, were not eligible; and it only opened to over-18s in June, which is why this is now more important than ever.”

“This drive also helps encourage young people access the vaccine program without any fear, this is all about helping and ensuring everyone stays safe.”