Online rabbinical seminary, live circumcision and concern for kosher food • Reporter "Israel Today" examined: How do dozens of Jewish communities deal with the Corona

• Food collections in Brooklyn // Photo: AP

The historic change, which is accelerating in the world as a result of the Corona virus, is already an accomplished fact. The world is required to make quick adjustments to the new and challenging situation. A tangible example of a lifestyle change at one time happened on Tuesday when the guidelines for full closure were announced in the UK. The disoriented public, who is still wandering in the parks this week and crowding the streets of the kingdom, has had to move to a state of great caution, vigilance and staying in homes.

"The Jewish community in the UK has reacted relatively quickly to the new situation, in tandem with increasingly stringent government directives," describes a conversation with "Israel Today" Philip Rosenberg, director of public relations at the Board of Deputies of British Jews. The synagogues and cultural centers are closed, along with most of the schools and "online prayers" have become widespread in all Jewish streams. In addition, a network of volunteers has been set up to help send food and help with the needs of senior citizens.

So far, 20 people from the Corona virus have died in the UK Jewish community. "This is about six percent of all the victims of the virus, which is a cause for concern. We attribute this to the relatively older and located Jewish community in London, where the significant outbreak of the virus occurred. However, there is no panic among the community, we see a significant challenge and we will have to take part in the struggle. In this invisible enemy. "

Photo: Jewish Communities, Oliver Bradley

In neighboring France, the Jewish community is in growing tension. This week, the director of the Jewish District of the 19th District passed away, and the president of the consistory is in serious condition. In addition, the chief rabbi of Strasbourg is infected with the virus (his condition is mild) and it is estimated that thousands more of the Jewish community were infected in Corona and not yet diagnosed.

Despite the danger, the community is furious at the closure of the borders with Israel, which cut it off from visits and family, especially in the context of impending Passover. At the local radio station "Peace Radio" in Paris this week, editor-in-chief Bernard Abouhb expressed harsh criticism that a person who is not an Israeli citizen cannot reach the country. "It is very shocking to the work of French Jewry. It is the foundation of the connection between the Jews of France, perhaps the most Zionist community in the world, who are now telling you - you are not like everyone else. What is really shocking for the Jews of France is to see all El Al's photographs going to bring The Israelis from Peru and all the people who clap the plane - we don't have a plane. " Robert Agnes, a senior official with the Crief Organization, also expressed regret over the situation: "We are keeping in touch with our relatives in the country, but we have a feeling of grief that Israel cannot be reached at this time. Hopefully this situation will soon become a bad memory."

Italy: "The most difficult community in the last century"

Meanwhile, in Italy, the tragedy of the Corona's victims is widespread all over the world, and does not overlook the Jewish community, eight thousand Jews. Rome's Jewish Community President Ruth Durglow said, "The community has been in the worst condition in the last century, except for World War II." In fact, one of the critical problems is the lack of medical equipment and nursing homes. In practice, the synagogues are closed, the cemeteries operate under heavy restrictions, the mikvahs are intermittently open. Community institutions help with food and services as well as a system of mental support (the Jewish Agency and the founding fund were committed to the Jewish community).

In Spain, which also suffers from the plague, there are about 40,000 Jews. Officially, members of the Jewish community in the state say that so far no Corona cases have been recorded. Jorge Rosenblum, director of Radio Spain (Radio Jewish Communities in Spain) expressed cautious optimism despite the worsening situation. "The community is extraordinarily organized: Even before the official government announcement, the three community schools (in Madrid, Barcelona and Malaya) have been closed and they are learning from afar."

The Foreign Ministry did not report a shortage of kosher food in Spain, with imports from France continuing in order despite the closure of land borders. Alongside this, general concern also affects community members. "The reasonable assumption is that the number of victims, and God forbid the victims, will increase significantly. We are about a week away from a significant outbreak expected here. We have a dedicated telegram group and is ready for any scenario that is expected to happen," Rosenblum said.

Austria: Raised € 350,000 to support the elderly and unemployed

Members of the Jewish community in Germany are taking advantage of the routine structure of the country in routine, which helps streamline emergency situations. The umbrella organization of the Jewish communities in the country, which leads the ten thousand Jews living in Berlin, supports about 100 other Jewish communities in the country - the most prominent of which are Munich and Frankfurt. "These are small, relatively mature communities, and therefore at risk, although excellent medical care and the amount of tests are high as indicated by official data on the Corona," notes Yaki Lopez, responsible for liaising with the Jewish community at the Israeli Embassy in Berlin. Lopez is in solitary confinement these days, like the rest of the embassy staff, after Israel's ambassador to the country and the deputy were diagnosed with Corona patients.

For Passover, the community will distribute kosher food to the needy and the elderly in the state, while at the same time educational activities have gone online, including schools, youth movements on Sundays and even a pilot for kindergartens. "Both Orthodox and Liberal prayers - on weekdays and Fridays, went to a Facebook page called" Friends "and are meant for mutual guarantee. People share their distress and receive a response."

In Vienna, the capital of Austria, there are about 8,000 Jews, of whom about 1,700 are over 65, but have not yet been discovered in Corona. Oscar Deutsch, president of the Jewish community in Vienna and the head of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Austria, emphasizes that the community is committed to contacting this risk population proactively to see if they need assistance. At the same time, the community and private donors have already earmarked, within the framework of an emergency fund, an amount of around 350,000 euros for support and assistance for adults as well as those who have lost their jobs.

"We knew that the Corona would be a significant challenge when we heard the Israeli government's response, which was one of the first to warn of the danger. So we went ahead to distribute a newsletter in German, Yiddish, Russian and English, which contains hygiene tips," Deutsche noted. He said, "The four Jewish community schools are closed and distance learning works well. Among other things, you can also log on to the Jewish Museum website." He further said, "We are trying to convince the devout religious population to stop holding ministries in the synagogues, yet without complete success."

In the spirit of the period, many congregations gather around rabbis and community leaders who deliver prayers, lessons, and other online content; For example, in Hungary, where about 100,000 Jews, the Central and Neologic community closed their institutions and synagogues. Chabad continues to work part-time, as does the Orthodox community, which closed the Great Synagogue but left only two active in quorum and distance.

Rabbi Shlomo Kovash, the chief rabbi of the "Amich" community in Budapest (Chabad), says that every night, a three-hour beit midrash is operated, while at the same time operating on the school network. This week, the community organizes food products for 400 Holocaust survivors and occupiers, adding that the community has close to a thousand pounds of matzo to be distributed among all. "We have no problem with the supply of milk, bread and meat that we produce here. On the other hand, there may be a problem with other products that are imported here and that require a border crossing." Today is expected to embark on an emergency flight to rescue Israelis who are stuck in Hungary. The flight was organized by a conqueror and carried out through Arkia Company, which has more than 250 students, including students and slaughterers who care for kosher meat.

Meanwhile in the Netherlands, Chief Rabbi Benjamin Jacobs sent an open letter to the community explaining how difficult situations allow a person to spend his or her good. Various communities run hotline or emergency groups in Wattsap to assist their friends in real time. "The Jewish community is well organized and organized," says the Israeli ambassador to the country, Hila Stern. Among other things, classes and conversations with the community at "Zoom" are launched and a website for Israeli products, including Kosher for Passover, is opened. "A representative of the Kadisha company in the state has requested the delegation to help locate and obtain protective suits for the treatment of the bodies of Jewish deceased in the country as a result of the Corona virus. The embassy in cooperation with the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Israel is engaged in the search for such suits."

In Croatia, the central community closed its doors and the Jewish school works from home; In Denmark, an unknown number of parishioners have been infected (the rabbi, too, seems to be). Chabad is open in a format adapted to government regulations. In Switzerland - the synagogues are closed and the community is preparing for assistance to the elderly and the elderly. In Estonia - the community offices are still open (closed on Sunday), the school and kindergarten are in the form of "remote control" and learning from home. The number of people in need is relatively high and community welfare institutions mainly help the elderly and the sick.

In Slovakia - Community and Federation offices have been closed when conflict between Chabad and the community in Bratislava is delayed, which delays providing assistance to people in isolation. In Belarus, there is no known distress, and the community is now supported by the Agency and the Joint. In Serbia, the supply of kosher food to those in need is made possible by volunteers, as there are difficulties right now in the arrival of kosher food from Hungary. A Chabad rabbi in the state canceled the central order.

In St. Petersburg - Patients are not yet known to members of the community. The central community closed its institutions, though the reform community continues to work as usual. In Bosnia and Herzegovina - schools and community institutions are closed. The Jewish community in Sarajevo has set up an emergency headquarters to assist Holocaust survivors and elderly community members - most of them in Sarajevo. Pina Kuklyansky, president of the Jewish community in Lithuania, where the average age of the population is high, said they are looking for sources to buy protective and sterilizing equipment for the older population as well as the family members who are eating them.

Atlanta: Circumcision in 'FaceTime'

Many question marks are also felt these days among the Jewish communities in New York, USA, which account for about half of the infections recorded in the United States - especially among ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods. Currently, there are more than 300 corona-verified carriers in the community, a fairly high proportion of their share of the general population, with the real numbers estimated to be much higher.

The New York Jewish Federation said it would allocate $ 23 million in emergency aid to the state's community. In fact, financial aid will be directed to the provision of food for Passover, as well as deliveries of ready-to-eat meals, which will be distributed to New York Jews who have been isolated or recently extradited as a result of the plague. "This first round of grants is a critical part of the Federation's extensive effort to support New Yorkers in need of assistance as a result of the severe crisis we are experiencing," said Eric Goldstein, Executive Director of the New York Jewish Federation (UJA). At the same time, against the plight of worshipers from all Jewish streams, a dedicated New York Federation site will offer a connection to Reformed, Conservative, Orthodox, and more virtual synagogues.

"There are currently about a hundred hospitalized in two hospitals here in the vicinity - Maymendis and Lutrin - from every area of ​​Brooklyn," says Rabbi Benjamin Barber, a resident of Brooklyn. "Most people did not go to only those who did not feel well. The difficult problem is that some people have it and are not even aware of it and because of the population concentrations are more contagious." He notes that people are very disciplined about prayers and do not go to synagogues. The Gemara lessons are done over the phone.

In various U.S. states, curfews and closures have been announced, and all community services have gone online. In San Francisco, for example, community members have established an emergency that helps the needy and even provides parental counseling services. In Los Angeles, fears of a collapse in large Jewish communities due to lack of ability to raise money and due Closing the gates: Campaigns are being held in front of elected officials to approve budgets as well as to secure social conditions.

Rabbi Peter Berg of Atlanta, the rabbi of Temple Temple, the oldest synagogue in the city, shares his intense personal experiences of recent days, following a significant increase in Corona carriers in the state of Georgia. "Everything changed quickly for us," he says. "Rabbis and community leaders encourage people to stay home except emergency services. All synagogues are closed and we are learning how to create holiness in the community in new ways. We have just finished calling all 1600 households and responding to urgent needs. In some cases, we helped collect medicines for the elderly."

"I made my first circumcision this week on Facebook. The mohel performed the circumcision personally and gave the Hebrew name in 'FaceTime'," he said. Rabbi Berg concluded. "We are guided by the value of mind control - which is more important than anything else. And that too will pass and come out even stronger," he concluded optimistically.

Central and South America: Emergency Wattsap and Online Passover Order

The Roof Organization of the Jews of Mexico has established a senior physicians committee to help formulate guidelines, with special attention being paid to the elderly population. The Israeli Embassy in the state has created an emergency group in Wattsap that includes all the community preparedness factors.

In Guatemala - the synagogues and study frameworks have been closed until a new announcement is made and the community is giving live daily prayers on Facebook. Chile - The community has opened a hot line for its members infected with Corona (few) and schools are closed. In addition, the community used the community center to accommodate Israelis if needed. In Colombia and Costa Rica, the synagogues work, but sometimes in limited form. In Nicaragua and Ecuador it is not yet known about the Corona infection.

In Venezuela - the Passover Seder will take place online. For now, no special requests for immigration have been registered and no particular hardship has been recorded, although the current estimate is that in a week to two weeks, as the situation deteriorates, there will be food and drug shortages. In Uruguay, preparations were underway in the Jewish community even before the first cases were discovered in the country. A community emergency team, including doctors, psychologists, security personnel and volunteers, was also established.

The community in Brazil has about 90,000 Jews, 70,000 of whom are in the San Paulo area. Community President Luis Kignel says that of the 42 synagogues in the site, only two or three remain, for quorum and religious purposes. All schools are closed and lessons are transmitted online, with the Zoom app becoming especially effective. "We held a colorful and special event when our friend uniquely formed a circumcision: about 200 people joined the Zoom and envisioned the event. This is undoubtedly a more unusual event that symbolizes our era," he added with a smile. One of the challenges of the community is to transport kosher food for Passover, due to lack of drivers.

In Manila, Philippines, there is a Jewish community of 2,000 people (over 50% of whom are Israelis). Dozens of community and synagogue workers were left unable to get to their jobs as a result of a public transportation stop and a government ban on traffic within the city. However, they managed to get organized with some interesting initiatives, most notably - allowing employees to stay in the community home, thus preserving their livelihoods. In addition, there is a small kitchen in the community that, after the outbreak of the crisis, began preparing Israeli food, baking bread and even selling fresh fruits and vegetables on a daily basis and offering free deliveries to the Israeli community in Manila - providing a source of income to the community and providing a solution to food shortages and stores.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry maintains continuous contact with Jewish communities around the world, assisting them as needed. "Israel's emissaries in various countries are in close contact with the communities, participating in emergency meetings (which, like the whole world, in the parallel universe of 'zoom') and even solving point problems," notes Hamutal Rogel, director of the Jewish Communities Department in the Foreign Ministry.

"Even during this period, when the Iron Curtain fell from one state to another, and air and sea continental spaces were shut down, the Jewish spirit and solidarity did not appear, and the warm connection between us and the Diaspora, even if not through visits and expeditions, or even through shared dinners, remained. Stable and sustainable. "