Top ultra-Orthodox leader, himself sick with COVID, backtracks on ruling that defied national virus rules; reportedly came under pressure to rethink from Ponevezh Yeshiva head

Organizer say private initiative is saving lives, alleviating pressure on hospitals; 170 unregistered serious patients mean tally is at 1,000

Scant few in hotspot Borough Park seen wearing masks as they head to synagogues for Simhat Torah eve, apparently choosing to violate guidelines beyond sight of few cops on patrol

Agudath Israel spokesman says Brooklyn protests sparked by anger at New York authorities, who he says bullied Orthodox Jewish community instead of engaging with it

Haredi community gathers for second night of protests against New York coronavirus shutdowns that largely target the city's Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods.

20 synagogues said shut down in Bnei Brak ahead of holiday; pictures on social media appear to show mass gatherings going ahead with little police interference

Virus cases are spiking in some New York Orthodox communities, but various factors are preventing widespread adoption of a practice experts say can help keep COVID away

Police reportedly believe some demonstrations are a ploy to move between cities during coronavirus shutdown; rallies held in Jerusalem and Bnei Brak

Cops have received numerous appeals to okay rallies on Sunday evening, the end of Rosh Hashanah, TV report says, and are concerned it is being used to dodge travel restrictions

Netanyahu says experts concerned about likely spike in serious cases, deaths; claims cases have not been traced to rallies against him because demonstrators shut off phones