Phone ringing during davening? Lakewood found a solution

Rabbi of the synagogue, Williams Street Shul in Lakewood, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Cohen, has become tired of protesting against the hazard of ringing mobile phones during davening.

The Rabbi has been carried out dozens of speeches about the importance of prayer and the great damage caused by the ringing of phones, ringing a variety of melodies and sounds in the middle of davening. Even the requirement to turn off the phone at the entrance to the synagogue or set it to vibrate – did not help.

But recently a solution was found. Another of the shul members came up with the idea: 'lockers - small cells with locks for storing objects, such as cells that can be found in the gym. In each cell there is a plug for charging the mobile phone battery.

Thus, at the entrance to the synagogue a wardrobe with 36 cells was located, and a printed notice next to it requesting from anyone possessing a cell phone to put it in the cell.

Gabbai of the shul says: "Even if there are those who do not put their phone in the cell, they will at least remember to put their phone on vibrate mode. On the first day all cells were filled. The public accepted the initiative with enthusiasm. The fact that you can charge the phone while praying, also contributes to the matter. We hope other synagogues adopt the idea.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!