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Faygie Holt

Faygie Holt

Faygie Holt is the columns editor and editor of the JNS Wire.

Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, the chief rabbi of Great Britain, has suggested that Jews take on an extra mitzvah in the merit of the hostages.
“‘Out of depth, I call you,’ ... those are very powerful words and remind us, especially when we recite the psalms, that we are not the first generation that faces adversity … and that many psalms express hope and confidence in the future,” said Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal, chief executive of the Rabbinical Assembly, the rabbinic arm of the Conservative movement.
One element that everyone agrees will be critical for Jewish organizations at the frontlines of providing assistance to their communities is some assistance from the federal government.
“This election garnered more than twice as many votes as the election in 2015 and the highest since the election opened up to the entire American Jewish community 30 years ago,” said Herbert Block, executive director of the American Zionist Movement.
Jewish federations, denominations, day schools, Hebrew classes and synagogues are adapting to weeks and possibly months of social distancing and quarantines due to the pandemic.
“We’re also going to use the National Guard in the containment area to deliver food to homes, to help with the cleaning of public spaces,” said New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Synagogues, day schools, Jewish community centers and other groups are deciding how they will celebrate what is perhaps the most festive Jewish holiday, especially for families.
There is a “virus” of hate right now in America, stated New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, acknowledging that “I thought New York would be immune from it.”
Concerns about a lack of supplies are battering industries worldwide as the coronavirus spreads and the shutdown in China continues.