[rwest]

I worked for a city that had a large Jewish population and there was an issue with them having to pick up a lobby phone to get police help. I did a little bit of research and my basic understanding is that it comes from an ancient idea of not “moving the flame” they can leave lights or appliances on during the sabbath, but can’t turn them on or off.

Motion sensing lights are a bit problematic for them.

We literally put a bell above the ceiling of the dispatch room with a pull cord out in the lobby for them to pull.

They did have reasonable exceptions like if it was an emergency, they could use their phone to call the police, fire or ambulance.