As the corona pandemic forces people homebound, those without support systems are worried. How they will procure basic daily necessities–as well as provisions for the upcoming Passover holiday–under the restraints of quarantine? In response, Chabad shluchim are mobilizing wherever possible. In Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, Rabbi David Okunov has distributed 2,000 pounds of potatoes in a […]
Social distancing dictate prompts novel options
Due to the coronavirus, virtually all congregations and organizations in the Tampa Bay area have canceled in-person events for the near future and are monitoring the situation regarding events beyond that. Many synagogues are livestreaming their services. Most Chabad centers and Reform and Conservative synagogues are also offering – or making plans to offer – […]
West Island rabbi turns to tech to ensure son’s bar mitzvah goes on
Without a congregation to lead following the coronavirus outbreak, Dollard-des-Ormeaux Rabbi Leibel Fine wasn’t about to deny his eldest son, Menachem Mendel, his bar mitzvah celebration. With social gatherings prohibited in an effort to stop COVID-19 from spreading, Fine, the rabbi at Chabad of Dollard, postponed his son’s celebration slightly more than a week ago. […]
Italian Artist Depicts ‘Jewish Ritual Murder’ of Christian Child
On March 24, an Italian artist unveiled a new painting, featuring Jews killing a Christian child. The Jerusalem Post reported that Giovanni Gasparro’s “The Martyrdom of St. Simon of Trento in accordance with Jewish ritual murder” depicted “a group of hook-nosed Jews with peyot and yellow, uneven teeth strangling the child and draining his blood.” […]
Chabad of Peoria offers Seder to go meals for Passover
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — This year, many people will celebrate Passover and host their Seder dinners in a different way due to COVID-19 restrictions. This year, people can order Seder to go boxes from Chabad of Peoria that have all the essentials needed to celebrate at home. Passover, an eight day celebration, begins on the […]
The Poor Rabbi and the Passover Gift
In a village deep in Poland, there lived a rabbi who couldn’t remember the last time he was paid. He led a congregation of poor peasants, for whom their rabbi’s salary was their children’s portion of bread, and so, the rabbi and his family lived in poverty themselves, unable to escape the gnawings of hunger. […]
Are Peanuts Kosher for Passover?
On Passover, Jews of Ashkenazic descent (and some Sefardic communities as well) do not eat anything that is considered “kitniyot.” But before we get to peanuts, let’s give a bit of background. What Are Kitniyot? “Kitniyot” is generally translated as “beans” or “legumes.” However, in this context, it is not an exact translation. The Code […]
Tenafly Chabad Middle School Continues Remote Learning
Special El Al flight brings Israelis home from Colombia
A chartered El Al flight from Bogota evacuated nearly 70 Israelis from Colombia on Thursday morning as most flights were canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.Foreign Minister Israel Katz specifically ordered his ministry to organize the flight to help Israeli backpackers who were unable to find flights out of the country. The flight is expected […]
Keeping faith close – even from afar
Religious communities on campus are using alternative methods to continue worship during the COVID-19 pandemic Just as buildings across campus are desolate and all but abandoned, so too are the churches, synagogues and temples that surround the University of Minnesota community. Dozens have canceled sermons or moved to online services in response to the coronavirus […]