De Wever then threatened to close the synagogue in question, which The Algemeiner understands is affiliated with the Belz Hasidic community. “I never imagined that I would be the mayor who would still be closing synagogues in the 21st century: I imagined my term as mayor differently,” he declared. “But that’s what we’re heading for, and it’s dramatic. It’s extremely regrettable.” Antwerp’s Jewish community of 25,000 is served by 50 synagogues. Under COVID-19 restrictions, no more than 15 people are allowed to attend synagogue services at one time, including the ten adult males necessary for a minyan. The community is regarded as more vulnerable to the pandemic because its members frequently travel to London and Manchester in the United Kingdom, where they retain strong family and religious ties with the various Hasidic communities in those cities.