This is 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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Culture Why Carl Reiner was the dreamiest boss I ever had
“My secretaries stay a long time,” Carl Reiner said as he greeted me at the start of the job interview, “so I don’t know what I’m supposed to ask.” Okay, I was plotzing to get the job. Though at 26 I’d worked in show business long enough to know that celebrities were often nothing like…
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Community Coronukkah: Commemorating coronavirus as a Jewish holiday
What would’ve happened if the ancient Israelites had endured the coronavirus pandemic? If they were told to stay inside and completely alter their daily lives: no visits to markets, temples or anywhere else? This would have challenged them, no doubt, but would we, their descendants, still be talking about it today? Every year, we remember…
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Community A Juneteenth Haggadah for a new ritual meal
As Black Lives Matter demonstrations are being held across the globe with unusually large numbers of participants of different colors and ages, we are also witnessing an increasing awareness of the continuing impact of our shared histories of slavery and colonialism and their aftermaths. Ignited by the police brutality against persons of color, many people…
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Fast Forward Cyberattack disrupts Israel Philharmonic Orchestra virtual concert
A free virtual concert featuring the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) was disrupted on Sunday by a suspected cyber attack, preventing tens of thousands of viewers worldwide from watching and participating in the event. Hosted by actress Helen Mirren and featuring some of Israel’s world-renowned soloists — including Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zuckerman and Yefim Bronfman —…
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Fast Forward I got married during the pandemic — and my wedding was perfect
NEW YORK (JTA) — On March 16, the man I was dating asked me to become his wife. At the time, social distancing was a relatively new phenomenon and Lysol wipes were still available for purchase at my local drugstore. However, the fear and uncertainty had begun to spread, and only about 15 people attended…
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News Criticizing Cuomo, de Blasio, judge loosens COVID restrictions on religious gatherings
A federal judge in Syracuse issued a preliminary injunction Friday preventing New York officials from enforcing different coronavirus restrictions for houses of worship than for secular nonessential businesses. Senior U.S. District Judge Gary L. Sharpe wrote that Governor Andrew Cuomo, Attorney General Letitia James and Mayor Bill de Blasio had made decisions that led to…
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Community How I hired Jackie Hoffman to be my pandemic celebrity Cyrano
What’s your pandemic guilty pleasure? My wife is cooking up a storm, my son is binging all 222 episodes of “Phineas and Ferb” and my daughter is posting dances to TikTok. Me? I’ve hired actress and comedian Jackie Hoffman ($20) as my personal avatar. You know how it is: My cousin graduates and we can’t…
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Life Is this the right time to move or change jobs? Our columnists weigh in
From its start in 1906, A Bintel Brief was a pillar of the Forward, helping generations of Jewish immigrants learn how to be American. Now our columnists are helping people navigate the complexities of being Jewish in 2020. Send questions to [email protected]. Do you need to move? I’m looking for a new home or apartment…
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Opinion It’s time for the pro-Palestinian movement to make a radical change
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News Should synagogues remove the Israeli flag from bimahs now? How a New York shul made the decision
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News An Israeli restaurant chain said it closed due to boycotts. Protesters are celebrating.
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Film & TV What the new season of ‘Nobody Wants This’ gets right — and very wrong — about Judaism
In Case You Missed It
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Culture Leonard Bernstein wrote a love song to the White House; now it’s an elegy
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Fast Forward As 1000+ rabbis sign anti-Mamdani letter, others decry mounting ‘red lines’ in Jewish communities
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News Mamdani has created ‘great fear,’ and Jewish voters are ‘more motivated than I have ever seen,’ Cuomo says
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Fast Forward The World War II origins of the White House East Wing, now demolished
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