Welcome to the Forward’s coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and its affect on Jewish communities around the world.
COVID-19
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News Rabbi vaccinated at clinic under investigation says he asked if shot was legal
Hershel Schachter, a leading Modern Orthodox rabbi who received a COVID-19 vaccine Thursday at a clinic now under investigation for improperly administering the vaccine, said he was led to believe that the vaccination was above board. Schachter and Rabbi Mordechai Willig, both head teachers at Yeshiva University and major authorities on Jewish law, were photographed…
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Community Death over Zoom: a rabbi reflects on a year of loss
The call came from the family, asking me to visit their relative at a suburban hospital. I knew the congregant well and was devastated to learn she was dying. I was even more devastated to learn it was from COVID. Visiting would be out of the question. The woman, who was 98, died the next…
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News Germany’s pandemic protests are mainstreaming antisemitic conspiracy theories
Read this article in Yiddish. In the last months, neo-Nazis have become more brazen, demonstrating openly in public, particularly at anti-coronavirus rallies – or Anti-Corona-Demos, as we call them in German. The rallies aren’t just anti-lockdown, they tackle everything which has to do with the virus, including denying that it exists. Most of these demonstrations…
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Community A prayer for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine
Several doctors and nurses reached out to me to ask if I would compose a prayer for them to recite at the moment they received their COVID-19 vaccinations. It didn’t occur to me to write this prayer, but instantly I realized that it is a holy step, a blessing and a miracle of science. We…
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Community Perfume before Zoom, I presume
I’ve always loved perfume: the final touch of preparation for a day of work or an evening out. My habit is rooted in memories of my mother and the sweet scent of her beloved Miss Dior. She kept the bottle on her dresser, near a photograph of the woman who protected and inspired her during…
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News A year like none other, in 20 unforgettable headlines
The year 2020 has truly been one for the history books. It’s with that thought in mind that we’ve chosen to try and sum up the past 12 months in 20 unforgettable headlines, presented chronologically below. We can’t lie: They make for sobering reading. But there are glimmers of joy to be found even so,…
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Yiddish World The 20 best Yiddish words for discussing 2020
Click to hear this article read aloud. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought us many challenges. But ironically, it’s also helped make 2020 a great year for learning Yiddish. The annual YIVO Yiddish summer program had so many registrants this summer — 60% more than last year — that administrators had to scramble to schedule more…
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Opinion The right demonized journalists. Now they’re turning on scientists.
I am no longer shocked when I receive an email with a photo of my face super-imposed on an image of crematoria; like many other Jewish writers, and many other women journalists, disgusting harassment is the norm. But now, it’s scientists who are becoming a primary target; a chilling new article in The Boston Globe…
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News Dutch Jews grapple with ‘weaponization’ of their fear following attack on Israelis
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News What a Secretary of State Marco Rubio would mean for American Jews and Israel
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Fast Forward Trump AG nominee Matt Gaetz has left a trail of antisemitic comments
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News Your complete guide to Trump’s Jewish advisers and pro-Israel cabinet
In Case You Missed It
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Fast Forward Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a Jewish Democrat, launches bid for New Jersey governor
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Fast Forward Pete Hegseth, Trump’s defense secretary nominee, has multiple Christian and Crusades-inspired tattoos
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Looking Forward How a cup of coffee keeps one man feeling close to the hostages in Gaza
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Fast Forward The Jewish Sport Report: Lindsay Gottlieb’s historic win and other Jewish sports highlights from this week
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