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 Q & A: How can you make a small Seder special?
Lifestyle blogger Rebekah Lowin believes in hiddur mitzvah, the Talmudic idea that while doing a mitzvah is well and good, doing it beautifully is even better. From hamentaschen cocktail toppers to DIY latke bars, the creations Lowin shares can help you live your most aesthetically pleasing Jewish life — or make you seriously insecure about…
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News 81 years later, a Holocaust refugee’s Zoom bat mitzvah
Carefully, with great precision, Hilda Namm recited the Hebrew words from the 25th chapter of the Book of Exodus. Her daughter Evelyn sat closely beside her on the couch in Hilda’s home. The two were close together, their shoulders often brushing, Hilda in a white top with a wide collar, Evelyn wearing burgundy. Evelyn handed…
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Life Can we all just chill out this Passover?
As this crazy coronavirus Passover is upon us, I am reminded of a panicked Passover that changed the course of my religious observance: When I was a Modern Orthodox twenty-something living the Zionist dream in Israel, I went to be with my good friend’s family for Passover. She was Sabbath-observant and single, like me, and…
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Culture Daily distraction: Andrew Lloyd Webber, the Louvre and family game night
Welcome to your daily distraction, our recommendations for ways to stay engaged and entertained while we socially distance ourselves to combat the novel coronavirus outbreak. You can find our past recommendations here; many of the opportunities we’ve highlighted are ongoing. Shabbat shalom, we’re still staying at home. This week was interesting, nu? I finished watching…
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News Historic unemployment makes Jewish schools early victims of virus’ economic impact
Since the coronavirus outbreak, virtual cocktail parties between staff and parents have became a part of life at Charlotte Jewish Day School in North Carolina. Almost 10% of the school’s families have already said they’re not sure they’ll be able to keep paying tuition, and staff members are trying to keep communication open and soothe…
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News 5 tips: Coping with job loss in culture that assumes success
More than 10 million Americans lost their jobs in the past two weeks as a result of a coronavirus-related economic slowdown, which means that many are both struggling to provide for their families and also grappling with the social stigma and psychological ramifications of being unemployed. While a cultural emphasis on professional success is widespread…
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Life What happens when your bar mitzvah is canceled?
The celebration of a Bar or Bat Mitzvah has always played an extra-special role in my family. My father was unable to celebrate his Bar Mitzvah since he spent his 13th year in Auschwitz. That fact and the family history that comes with it was central in my upbringing, my own Bar Mitzvah, and my…
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Life Advice on fear, family, art and help in this pandemic
From its start in 1906, A Bintel Brief was a pillar of the original Forverts newspaper, helping generations of Jewish immigrants learn how to be American. In 2020, we are reviving the signature advice column, helping people navigate the complexities of being Jewish in this digital age. Send your questions to [email protected]. A Time…
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Opinion Outrage over Nicholas Kristof’s op-ed on sexual assault of Palestinians is missing the point
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News They texted about Torah and mitzvahs. Feds say they were insider trading
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Culture At Eurovision, Israel’s near triumph shows the limits of tolerance
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Opinion I run The Jewish Theological Seminary. Here’s the real story about President Isaac Herzog speaking at our commencement
In Case You Missed It
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Yiddish World Interviews with Holocaust survivors reveal the richness of Yiddish
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Opinion The San Diego imam defended Oct. 7. His mosque still deserves our help
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Sports An op-ed compared an NBA team to Israel as underdog success stories. Then the threats poured in.
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Theater In ‘Waiting for Godot,’ the tragedy and comedy of the Jewish experience