JERUSALEM (JTA) — Reports that Egyptian authorities canceled High Holidays services this year at the 180-year-old Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue in Alexandria, Egypt, reportedly are erroneous.
Following reports in Israel and Egypt that prayer services were canceled at the synagogue, a member of the Jewish community quoted Yousef Gaon, the synagogue’s caretaker, as saying there would be services, but that they would be led by Gaon instead of an ordained rabbi or cantor, The Jerusalem Post reported Monday.
The rabbi who was scheduled to lead the services was denied entry to the country, the unnamed official said.
A few dozen elderly Jews remain in Alexandria, according to the newspaper, and there is some concern that the services will not have a minyan. In previous years, volunteers from Israel and other countries came to Alexandria to help make the prayer quorum, according to Ynet, but volunteers will not be coming this year due to security concerns.
