Israel sounds alarm over measles outbreak Since December, 18 people have been diagnosed with the contagious disease. Feb. 14, 2024
Agudath Israel of America fails New Jersey on measles’ vaccines What made it join anti-vaxxers in their campaign to frustrate efforts to introduce New York State-style legislation—on the dubious claim that it would curtail religious freedom—causing the bill to eventually collapse? Dr. Andrew Lowy Jan. 17, 2020
Israeli medical experts head to Samoa to combat measles epidemic The United Nations and WHO appealed to Israel for aid after the Island nation’s health-care system was overwhelmed by an outbreak of the highly contagious disease. Abigail Klein Leichman Dec. 9, 2019
El Al flight attendant dies four months after contracting measles Blood tests showed that Rotem Amitai, 43, had received only one of two required vaccination shots against the highly contagious disease, of which there have been nearly 4,300 cases in Israel this year. Aug. 14, 2019
New York enacts law ending religious exemptions for immunizations The State Assembly passed the bill 77-53, while the State Senate tally was 36-26. Gov. Andrew Cuomo immediately signed it. June 14, 2019
Another Jewish school shuttered amid worst US measles epidemic in 25 years The ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, N.Y., has become the epicenter of the disease, with nine schools being shuttered since the outbreak began. June 12, 2019
Jews aren’t the only victims of anti-vaccine conspiracy theories While haredi Jews have become the face of a flat earth-style campaign that’s behind a deadly measles outbreak, other communities can be just as misguided. Jonathan S. Tobin May 15, 2019
Anti-vaxxer doctors put Israel at risk The Israeli Health Ministry continues to put out small fires without addressing the big picture, which is going up in the flames of ignorance. Ran Reznick May 15, 2019
As the measles outbreak continues, Jewish community steps up education and vaccination efforts “The medical consensus, which halachah [Jewish law] demands that we follow, unambiguously supports the safety and efficacy of vaccines as a first-line defense against measles,” Rabbi Efrem Goldberg, the religious leader at Boca Raton Synagogue in Florida. Faygie Holt May 3, 2019