Philissa Cramer

By Philissa Cramer

Fast Forward
Massachusetts rabbis say synagogues should not rush to reopen

(JTA) — Rabbis in Massachusetts say they are not rushing to open their synagogues even though the state’s governor has said houses of worship may resume services. Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, included houses of worship in the first phase of Massachusetts’ plan to resume operations after bringing coronavirus infections under control. He announced Monday…

By Philissa Cramer May 20, 2020 | 3 min read
Fast Forward
Lag B’Omer is traditionally a day of weddings but now there’s social distancing

(JTA) — In late April, police in London and Chicago broke up splashy Jewish weddings that far exceeded the number of people allowed under social distancing rules. Since then, no weddings have made the Jewish news — but that could change in the next day. That’s because tonight begins Lag b’Omer, a holiday when observant Jews get…

By Philissa Cramer May 11, 2020 | 3 min read
Fast Forward
Kosher meals now available as part of NYC’s hunger relief efforts

(JTA) — New York City is now distributing kosher food through the meals program launched to keep city residents fed during the current coronavirus-induced upheaval. The city began giving out three meals a day to children and their family members after schools closed in mid-March. In early April, the city began offering the meals to…

By Philissa Cramer Apr 22, 2020 | < 1 min read
Fast Forward
Ramah in the Rockies avoids layoffs after receiving federal grant

(JTA) — The staff at Ramah in the Rockies got a rare bit of good news on Tuesday: Just days after applying for a grant designed to help small businesses weather the coronavirus-induced financial crisis, the Jewish summer camp had been approved. The organization had applied for the grant, made available as part of the…

By Philissa Cramer Apr 8, 2020 | 2 min read
News
Aron Halpern, 90, survived the Holocaust and thrived in the United States

Editor’s note: The Forward, in collaboration with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Jewish media outlets around the world, is sharing obituaries of people in the Jewish community who have died from the coronavirus or ensuing complications. Learn more here. (JTA) — Aron Halpern barely survived the Holocaust before making his way to the United States,…

By Philissa Cramer Apr 3, 2020 | 3 min read
Fast Forward
Headquarters of Chabad movement, iconic ‘770’ building, closes for first time

The international Chabad movement, one of modern Judaism’s most powerful forces for the dissemination of Jewish culture and practice, has closed its iconic headquarters for the first time, citing the spread of coronavirus and the illness of residents in its Crown Heights, Brooklyn neighborhood. The closure happened “in accordance with the order of the rabbis…

By Helen Chernikoff and Philissa Cramer Mar 18, 2020 | 2 min read
Fast Forward
In a reversal, Jewish Agency sending teen emissaries back to Israel, to quarantine

(JTA) — Earlier this week, the Jewish Agency for Israel said it was committed to keeping its emissaries in the United States, even as other groups brought theirs home amid the rising coronavirus crisis. But on Friday morning, with schools and synagogues across the country shuttering in an effort to curb the disease’s spread, the…

By Philissa Cramer Mar 13, 2020 | 2 min read
Fast Forward
Rome’s Jewish community: Coronavirus is the worst situation we’ve faced since WWII

(JTA) — Rome’s Jewish community is in a “state of complete uncertainty” amid Italy’s coronavirus crisis, according to its president. “We are a proud and ancient community in the midst of the worst situation we have faced since World War II,” the president of Rome’s Jewish community, Ruth Durgello, said in a press release distributed…

By Philissa Cramer Mar 12, 2020 | 2 min read

Explore

Philissa Cramer

By Philissa Cramer

Massachusetts rabbis say synagogues should not rush to reopen

Lag B’Omer is traditionally a day of weddings but now there’s social distancing

Kosher meals now available as part of NYC’s hunger relief efforts

Ramah in the Rockies avoids layoffs after receiving federal grant

Aron Halpern, 90, survived the Holocaust and thrived in the United States

Headquarters of Chabad movement, iconic ‘770’ building, closes for first time

In a reversal, Jewish Agency sending teen emissaries back to Israel, to quarantine

Rome’s Jewish community: Coronavirus is the worst situation we’ve faced since WWII

Most Popular

In Case You Missed It

Mamdani quoted Eugene Debs in his victory speech — there’s a long Jewish history there

The Jewish vote for NYC mayor went to Cuomo, but the Israel vote went to Mamdani, exit polls show

מאַמדאַניס נצחון באַזאָרגט אַ סך ייִדישע כּלל־טוערMamdani’s victory worries many Jewish leaders

Israel’s Oscar entry is, once again, about Palestinians

Philissa Cramer

By Philissa Cramer

Massachusetts rabbis say synagogues should not rush to reopen

Lag B’Omer is traditionally a day of weddings but now there’s social distancing

Kosher meals now available as part of NYC’s hunger relief efforts

Ramah in the Rockies avoids layoffs after receiving federal grant

Aron Halpern, 90, survived the Holocaust and thrived in the United States

Headquarters of Chabad movement, iconic ‘770’ building, closes for first time

In a reversal, Jewish Agency sending teen emissaries back to Israel, to quarantine

Rome’s Jewish community: Coronavirus is the worst situation we’ve faced since WWII

Most Popular

Why some Satmar Hasidic leaders endorsed Zohran Mamdani as mayor, stunning many Jewish voters

How Mamdani became New York’s next mayor, with Jews divided between fierce opposition and fiery support

I’m an Israeli who lives in New York. Here’s why I’m voting for Mamdani

It’s so cool that Sandy Koufax was there for that

In Case You Missed It

Mamdani quoted Eugene Debs in his victory speech — there’s a long Jewish history there

The Jewish vote for NYC mayor went to Cuomo, but the Israel vote went to Mamdani, exit polls show

מאַמדאַניס נצחון באַזאָרגט אַ סך ייִדישע כּלל־טוערMamdani’s victory worries many Jewish leaders

Israel’s Oscar entry is, once again, about Palestinians

Shop the Forward Store