Prohibited fellowship • Minimal prayer • And communities approaching the global era • Corona virus requires Jewish people around the world to reinvent themselves • Special project
A group of worshipers in the open air
Photography:
Oren Ben Hakon
The corona virus has suddenly changed the rules of the game around the globe, and alongside the human prices it has charged - it is challenging for each of us to rethink and identify the opportunities created in the shadow of the plague.
The foundation of the meeting and the gathering, one of the characteristics of the Jewish world and a source of strength in times of crisis since time immemorial, has suddenly become a disadvantage.
And this is just one expression of the flexibility and creativity that world Jewry required in the face of the unexpected, and this is exactly where the article project published on the Israel Today website and in the widget was born - to examine how the virus affects the Jewish world.
Naturally, the five core issues in which the project dealt are wide-ranging and require an overall vision.
For this purpose, the articles included, among other things, references by leaders of Jewish communities and organizations around the world, educators, politicians, officials from national institutions and Diaspora experts.
One of the clear signs of the spirit of the period is the increase in the power of the network and online activity, the result of social distance and the modes of communication that have changed at once.
Jewish education and identity
In the identity and educational context, the emphases of the expected educational dilemmas have sharpened even more, such as what should be the messages of a "world Jewish class" at the touch of a finger, and how, for example, Corona can be seen as an opportunity to exploit youth movements for value-educational purposes.
An interesting example whose implications still resonate is the effect of cancellation of summer camps in the US.
In general, questions about the identity of Jews around the world have been bubbling over the lack of a formative educational experience, which still requires flexibility and quick adjustments on the part of experienced educators.
"The aim is to increase the perception of belonging to the Jewish people and people and to strengthen the channels of connection between communities and educational organizations in the Jewish world," says Ami Infeld, CEO of Melitz (Jewish-Zionist Education Institute). "We select, build and define our circles at the click of a button "Therefore, the possibilities of expression and the ability to influence and bring about change are right in the palm of your hand."
The need for immediate change and almost revolutionary patterns of action was well summed up by a senior educator in France, who told me in our conversation: "We also undergo re-education - how many times do educators go out with an idea in the morning and implement it at noon?"
In addition to the heavy price per capita paid by some of the communities, and in particular the ultra-Orthodox, in general - Jewish life, based on meeting, was silenced and many communities suffered severe damage.
The essence of the meeting - whether for prayer or for social activity - has lost its validity with the growing transition to online activity.
In the wake of the plague challenges, the consciousness of the global village has also stood the test of the Jewish communities.
These soon internalized that the boundaries of the community should be demarcated in terms of the needs it could provide for itself, and gauge the degree of connection with outside communities.
The relationship with the state
At this point, the question of the level of connection with the State of Israel and its quality, in what may later be a crossroads in this relationship and in the crystallization of Jewish identity in all the communities, prominently emerged.
Suddenly a kind of "personality test" was imposed on quite a few communities, and just as every household became an autonomous unit, so every Jewish community realized that it could not rely on outside help.
"The internalization has grown that there are several circles in the concept of 'Jewish community'," explains Ilan Gal Dor, CEO of Gesher, "Each community builds its own human capital and community power, and in this corona it has intensified and taken on a new form that we have not yet known."
The ultra-Orthodox sector
No community or sector has been as deeply affected as the ultra-Orthodox.
Beyond the high rate of casualties from the virus, the characteristics of the community have been severely shaken - from the changes in the way of prayer, through the status of Torah scholars to the funeral and swearing-in procedures.
At the same time, the interface between the rabbinical-ultra-Orthodox leadership and the civic leadership, in Israel and in the Diaspora, must change.
In practice, a window is opened in the present and in the future to promote a more effective dialogue between the parties, and on the other hand - there is a risk of increasing tensions due to the explosiveness of disputes and its reliance on the "enclave" culture detached from the society around it.
"Surfing the web may reshape the boundaries of the 'enclave', which is why the change is so significant," says Dr. Gilad Malach of the Israel Democracy Institute, which implies that it means a leap forward for the ultra-Orthodox sector into Israeli society. At the same time, ultra-Orthodox websites have introduced "On the one hand, the corona in all its severity, as well as state guidelines and regulations, and on the other hand identified and promoted the ultra-Orthodox narrative of persecution." As a result, ultra-Orthodox exposed to the Internet were strengthened by the distinctive ultra-Orthodox identity.
The crisis era revealed the beautiful hour of Jewish-community philanthropy.
Even the veteran support organizations, which often receive criticism for their activities, have often created effective focal points for assistance and decision-making.
At the same time, in a broad account that includes damage to the human-social fabric, there is a need to rethink the organizations and institutions that are experiencing significant historical changes.
Thus, for example, the associations suffered severe damage, welfare conditions in the communities were harmed, and there were extensive staff cuts in Jewish organizations.
The scope of philanthropy
In hindsight, the question of the scope of Jewish-American philanthropy arises, and questions arise as to how it will be implemented as one of the manifestations of the relationship between the Jewish communities in the United States and the State of Israel.
The built-in tension is particularly evident in light of the need for immediate assistance on two separate fronts: the Jewish communities in the United States, some of which have suffered severe to fatal blows, and the State of Israel and its institutions that rely on this philanthropy since the beginning of the last century. After ", although many in the Jewish world estimate that the dynamics are being reshaped and will most likely be innovative models in giving.
Shira Ruderman, CEO of the Ruderman Family Foundation, estimates that philanthropy may develop a long-term partnership between Israel and the Jewish world, which may be a key point for the parties. "If we change the commitment to a fateful partnership, a revolution can be made here: the impact will be Immediately, and it will settle the long-term relationship, "she explains.
Rising anti-Semitism
Blaming Jews for the diseases of the world has been a hallmark of anti-Semitism since its earliest days, and as expected, the outbreak of the virus has given the anti-Semitic atmosphere a boost.
The fear of conspiracy theories, in which Jews are accused of spreading the virus, creams skin and tendons.
It is no wonder, therefore, that the Diaspora Ministry's report estimates that there is expected to be a sharp increase in cases of anti-Semitism in the coming year.
In fact, already in the first wave, "hygiene demonstrations" took place, which were a fertile ground for anti-Semites, Holocaust deniers and proponents of conspiracy myths - with the writing on the wall clear.
Felix Klein, the commissioner of Jewish life and the fight against anti-Semitism in Germany, said that "anyone who perceives himself as a victim and feels threatened may turn himself into a threat," and indeed the signs of old anti-Semitism have once again stood proudly.
With regard to the dramatic rise in the expression of antisemitic hatred, often across the network, Ilan Carr, in charge of the fight against antisemitism on behalf of the US State Department, confirmed the "accusation of the Jews for inventing this virus, deliberately spreading it, profiting from it as well as using it as a tool for global control." .
At the same time, the efforts of the information organizations to promote the fight against delegitimization, the boycott organizations and the "new anti-Semitism" stand out.
This is in addition to an attempt to preserve the power of pro-Israel organizations, some of which are in danger of closing.
This is the opportunity for the pro-Israel network to adapt to the changing reality - physically and mentally - and to shape the current campaign in a way that will make it difficult for delegitimization organizations to continue to engage liberal and progressive circles in anti-Israel activities.
These days, concrete proposals for a strategic fight against the phenomenon are being considered.
The initiatives include, among other things, an emphasis on education, extensive legislation and punishment alongside active safeguards.
