Welcome to the Forward’s coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and its affect on Jewish communities around the world.
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Fast Forward Amid coronavirus pandemic, Holocaust survivors at special risk — and getting extra help
(JTA) — Earlier this year, when the coronavirus pandemic began to unfold in Asia and appeared destined to hit the United States, the Jewish agencies that deal with America’s most vulnerable Jewish populations decided they had better get ready. Holocaust survivors, whom many consider to be the most vulnerable of the vulnerable, were of grave…
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Culture The Dead Sea Scrolls are in self-isolation — but they mean more than ever
In the weeks since the Israel Museum temporarily closed due to the coronavirus, Hagit Maoz, a curator there, has been dreaming of the Dead Sea Scrolls. In one of her dreams, the Great Isaiah Scroll, the oldest full version of the Book of Isaiah, has somehow come loose from its case. The parchment, free, flies…
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Community It’s okay — Anne Frank had “first world problems” too
It was a post I read on Facebook, meant to comfort those of us struggling with being stuck at home for so many weeks: “Anne Frank was forced to stay in a space that measured about 450 square feet. With seven other people. For over two years. You can get through this.” On the one…
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Community A Holocaust survivor’s lesson in exhaling and fighting on
Asya Seredenko was six years old when the Nazis came to her city — Kharkov, Ukraine. That’s when she started holding her breath. Her Jewish father was off on the front lines for the Soviets, and the Germans patrolling the streets knew Asya’s home belonged to a Jewish soldier. Asya’s Russian-born mother hid her in…
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Life Everyday Heroes: She took her activism online
The Forward asked readers to tell us about the “everyday heroes” in their lives, people extraordinary things in this extraordinary time. If you know someone acting heroically right now, let us know — we’ll be adding to the collection in the coming days. Name: Judy Mark, Disability Voices United, President How she started: In early…
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Breaking News NYC breaks up one secret yeshiva operating in violation of coronavirus rules
New York City officials have halted an underground yeshiva that was operating in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, despite coronavirus social-distancing restrictions, a spokeswoman from Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office said. “As soon as we found out, we worked with community leaders and this particular school to immediately stop this reckless practice,” said the spokeswoman, Olivia Lapeyrolerie. She…
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Fast Forward With services online, many synagogues are seeing greater attendance
(JTA) — Mike Finesilver started attending daily services for the first time since his bar mitzvah shortly after joining Congregation Beth El in 2012. Praying every day with the same small group of people was “a wonderful experience” for the 62-year-old paralegal, and he enjoyed being deeply involved with the Conservative synagogue in South Orange,…
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Fast Forward Zalman Kossovsky, Former chief rabbi of Zurich, US Marines chaplain, dies at 80
(JTA) — Rabbi Zalman Kossovsky, a former chief rabbi of Zurich who led congregations on three continents during a career that spanned decades, has died. Despite German language media reports, Kossovsky’s synagogue in Boynton Beach, Florida, stressed that he passed away Sunday of natural causes unconnected to the coronavirus pandemic. He was 80. Born in…
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Fast Forward Trump says Jews would deserve much of the blame if he loses
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Culture Hitler is trending on TikTok again — and they’re trying to make him seem like a nice guy
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Opinion This GOP candidate has always been antisemitic — so why are Republicans only panicking about him now?
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Fast Forward Sitcom star encourages non-Jews like her to hang mezuzahs on their homes
In Case You Missed It
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News Analysis: Netanyahu will address the United Nations. Here’s why it’s his favorite stage.
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Fast Forward What Eric Adams’ Jewish supporters and critics are saying after his indictment
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Fast Forward Laura Loomer, Jewish activist who flew on Trump’s plane, says her ties to antisemites shouldn’t undercut her advocacy
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Opinion He’s a Muslim Israeli who was close with Hersh Goldberg-Polin. Now he’s mourning his friend — and seeking change
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