This is the Forward’s coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and its affect on Jewish communities around the world.
COVID-19
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Community How a Silicon Valley mindset helped us host an epic Zoom bar mitzvah
“We could play a YouTube version of ‘Adon Olam’ to a really catchy tune!” “We could play personal messages for him from family all over the world!” “We could have an Israeli rock star sing him a song!” These were the “What ifs” that drove the conversation between me and my wife after we decided…
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Fast Forward DOJ letter argues NYC mayor is being unfairly strict with Orthodox Jews
(JTA) – A top Justice Department official sent a letter to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio last week that claims the mayor has enforced uneven social distancing rules that “favor certain secular gatherings and disfavor religious gatherings.” The letter, which was shared Tuesday by Agudath Israel, an organization representing haredi Orthodox Jews, specifically…
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Fast Forward Museum of Jewish Heritage cuts 40% of staff, saying pandemic threatens its survival
New York’s Museum of Jewish Heritage is laying off about 34 people — about 40% of its staff — and reducing hours across some remaining positions due to financial pressures posed by the coronavirus pandemic, museum CEO Jack Kliger announced Monday in a staff call. Kliger said that the coronavirus, which forced the museum to…
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Community I’m jealous of the pandemic bar mitzvah
Sweaty palms, fresh new shoes and a streak of Bubbie-red lipstick was smeared across my cheek. My bar mitzvah had arrived, the ultimate coming of age. Walking into the synagogue on Shabbat morning I recall a grab-bag of emotions, mostly felt in my stomach. The pews were the Who’s-Who of my life; family, close friends…
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Community Changing course in the middle of a pandemic
The sun rises in spite of everything and the far cities are beautiful and bright. I lie here in a riot of sunlight watching the day break and the clouds flying. Everything is going to be all right. — Derek Mahon Our world is drowning under the weight of pandemic as we fight toward the…
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Community With COVID, ‘it’s Groundhog day. Every day.’
My child wears the same shirt every day. Admit it. Yours does too. If it wasn’t during the COVID pandemic, I might admit to being lazy, to having ignored the fact that he took the shirt out of the hamper and wore it again. But that’s not the case. The shirt he wears every day…
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Culture From Basra to the Chelsea Hotel — My father’s journey
My father, George Chemeche, is 87 years old. I live with him here in the Chelsea Hotel. Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, I haven’t really seen him. For his safety, I occupy the bedroom of our apartment and he occupies the living room, TV room and kitchen. I order groceries for my father,…
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Community The only unnatural way to be is alone
Lo tov heyot ha-adam levado, it is not good for the earthling to be alone (Gen. 2:18). As the product of a traditional Jewish education, I have always heard this verse cited as an aphoristic observation about human nature and the need for companionship. No one wants to be alone their whole life. Life is…
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News Who was Horst Wessel, and why are people comparing Charlie Kirk to him?
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Culture Charlie Kirk kept a ‘Jewish Sabbath.’ What did he mean by that?
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Antisemitism Decoded Israel is being blamed for Charlie Kirk’s death. Here’s what that conspiracy theory says about the far right’s divide
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Fast Forward ‘Murdered for speaking truth’: Netanyahu and US Jewish leaders mourn Charlie Kirk
In Case You Missed It
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Opinion Yair Golan: On this Rosh Hashanah, Israel’s reckless government needs to hear the voices of Diaspora Jews
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Fast Forward ADL files new lawsuit against 8 terror groups tied to Oct. 7 attacks
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News Why does Andrew Cuomo have to keep clarifying his position on Israel and Gaza?
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News ‘No place for Zionism’: Why some vegans are starting beef with Israeli chefs
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