Welcome to the Forward’s coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and its affect on Jewish communities around the world.
Welcome to the Forward’s coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and its affect on Jewish communities around the world.
COVID-19
The Latest
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Opinion I’m a statistician. Closing camp because of corona is a huge mistake
When the Reform movement announced that it would be shutting its camps for the summer, a rabbi friend broadcast on Facebook that he thought the decision, while regrettable, was nevertheless “prudent.” I disagree. A considered, well thought out decision has to think through both risks and rewards. It must grapple not just with possibilities but…
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Fast Forward NYC mayor Bill de Blasio still apologizing for Hasidic funeral tweet, one week later
Nearly a week after his tweet about a Hasidic funeral drew ire from Jews across the religious spectrum, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is still apologizing for his words — and defending his actions. In a conference call with multiple Orthodox media outlets Monday, de Blasio called the tweet — which was directed…
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News How LA’s Orthodox Jews averted the worst of the pandemic
Pandemic life in the Orthodox neighborhoods of Los Angeles for the most part resembles that of observant Jewish enclaves across the country. The shuls and schools are closed indefinitely, with Torah study and social programming held on Zoom. Synagogues post lists tracking the sick for misheberach blessings on Google spreadsheets and share them through WhatsApp….
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Community ‘By learning how to keep loving camp, I learned how to keep loving my broken, messy, beautiful country’
In February 2020, rising Counselors In Training at URJ camp Harlam attended the RAC’s L’Taken Social Justice Seminar, the Reform movement’s flagship social justice program that takes high school students to lobby on Capitol Hill. Dear Camp Harlam L’Taken Participants of 2020, Just a few weeks ago, in another world, I was sitting with you…
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News In Minnesota, an ancient Jewish mandate gives impetus to rent breaks
When coronavirus shut down Minnesota, Aaron Berc kept hearing story after story about people that could no longer pay their rent if they wanted to feed their families. As a community organizer for the St. Paul-based social justice organization Jewish Community Action, he had also been exploring how Jewish text study could bolster his organizing…
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News Love online in the time of quarantine is oddly old-fashioned
The Facebook post opens like this: “I present to you: your bubbie’s wet dream.” He’s a nice Jewish boy over six feet tall. He’s crushing it at his hedge fund. He volunteers in his spare time. And he will make you the best pancakes you’ve ever had — if you sleep over. If you’re ever…
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Community ‘In all of the pain I am reminded why I became a rabbi in the first place’
“Like I told you, it’s an honor.” With these words, Jimmy Breslin concluded his famous New York Herald Tribune column after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. While every other journalist covered our nation in mourning, Breslin wrote about Clifton Pollard, the gravedigger who prepared President Kennedy’s grave. He made the small big, told…
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Fast Forward Synagogue jumps to revise slogan slammed as sexist for linking women and whining
A synagogue in Florida revised a slogan for an all-male panel after a tagline linking women and whininess drew criticism from feminists who are trying to address what they see as a lack of gender equity in Jewish communal work, such as education, philanthropy and the pulpit. As part of a ramped-up slate of online…
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News Your complete guide to Trump’s Jewish advisers and pro-Israel cabinet
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Fast Forward Trump AG nominee Matt Gaetz has left a trail of antisemitic comments
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Opinion Trump’s first picks are die-hard Israel supporters, mocking the pro-Palestinian protest vote
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Fast Forward Why neo-Nazis marched in Ohio this weekend, and almost every weekend in the US
In Case You Missed It
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News Texas schools want to add Queen Esther to the curriculum. Why Jews (and many Christians) are opposed.
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Opinion Congress is voting on a bill targeting pro-Palestinian groups. Israel’s example proves it’s a terrible idea
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Fast Forward Progressive Jewish groups back Senate resolutions against arms sales to Israel
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Fast Forward Sotheby’s to auction a Ten Commandments tablet with a disclaimer: Israel always wanted it to be put on public display
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