Jewish and Israeli Holidays
This Rosh Hashanah is like no other. Masks, gloves and social distancing are the norm. Families are apart. Children are restless, and seniors are sad. Still, there is a collective coming together.
Some will spread out congregants for social distancing, some will go ahead with abbreviated prayer sessions, and some will arrange for online programs, keeping folks at home.
Rabbi Jonathan Markowitz has overseen two decades of extensive educational and social activity in the Ukrainian city, which only grew once coronavirus hit.
“We are investing almost $296 million in immediate assistance for sectors in distress; we want it to reach them, and reach them quickly,” says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) letter’s to the U.S. secretary of state, co-signed by 25 congressional colleagues, highlighted the fact that Ukraine’s travel ban has some exemptions.
The tradition that was “inspired by our ancestors” provides a safe way to connect to others when many have been socially isolated and when stereotypes abound.
“You all are on the front lines ... people will heed your advice in ways they won’t mine as surgeon general,” Dr. Jerome Adams told Jewish leaders.
Former Californian and now Israeli Robert Weinger reveals his personal Jewish journey from Devil Mountain to the Jericho Valley.
“This year our responsibility is not to gather in large groups around the family holiday table,” stressed Yuli Edelstein.
“We knew that although we can’t gather physically for the High Holidays, we wanted to create something special to help people find meaning and connection, and I think also a little bit of levity, too,” said the synagogue’s communications manager Michelle Eider.
Popular musician-educator Joey Weisenberg’s new video master classes for would-be prayer leaders fuse the ancient and the modern.
A large percentage of High Holiday congregants do not own their own Machzor for Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur, and would instead rely on their local synagogue to supply one for them.
