President Donald Trump called on governors in the United States on Friday to reopen synagogues, mosques, and churches that were closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump warned that he would override the authority of governors who do not do so. He noted that synagogues and houses of worship provide essential services and therefore should be opened immediately.
At a spontaneous press conference at the White House, the president said: "Governors should do the right thing and allow essential and important places of worship to open immediately, as early as this weekend. I recognize churches, synagogues, and mosques as places that provide essential services.".
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The president added: "Some governors are defining liquor stores and abortion clinics as essential. That's not right, and I want to right that wrong and define houses of worship as more essential. These are places that keep it safe and keep our society united.".
After President Trump's press conference, and in light of the decision at a meeting of 70 synagogue treasurers in the Crown Heights neighborhood along with senior doctors, it was decided to open the Beit Midrash at the Chabad World Center-770 for Shabbat prayers for the Desert.
At this stage, limited prayer services were held to acclimate the place and the worshippers.
