OMIT Coronavirus | The Jewish Star | jewishstar.staging.communityq.com

Digital interaction with a professor is not the same — and should not replace — the yeshiva model, a one-on-one relationship with a mentor, argues Professor Abramson of Touro College.

Jewish colleges and universities and departments of Jewish studies may be guided by the core values of traditional religious texts, but their specific tools for survival in the post-COVID-19 era … more

By Henry Abramson | 5/20/20

Hadassah Professor Alon Hershko in protective anti-COVID-19 clothing.

A personal touch behind the mask at Hadassah

“Even in these complicated times, the connection with the patients is important — perhaps more now than ever,” says Professor Alon Hershko, director of Hadassah Ein Kerem Internal … more

Renee Young for Hadassah | 5/20/20

Speakers at Monday night's mikvah webinar.

Rabbis reassure women: Your mikvahs are safe

Women’s mikvahs are safe — and fear of COVID-19 should not block their use. Five-hundred viewers heard this message during a webinar on Monday night hosted by Mikvah USA and My Gift of … more

By Ed Weintrob | 5/20/20

The street artist Dede Bandaid began illustrating face masks on real Israeli bills.

Tel Aviv creatives make art out of corona crisis

TEL AVIV — Designer Yoav Gati was walking around his south Tel Aviv block in March when he saw a discarded latex glove on the street. A few meters later he spotted another one, and then … more

By Karen Chernick, JTA | 5/20/20

Marisa Sheff alongside one of her sock vending machines at Ryerson University.

Toronto Jews keep traditions going in pandemic

As the rate of new COVID-19 cases very gradually declines in Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, this city’s residents can see the light. Storefront retailers are preparing … more

By Ilana Belfer, JTA | 5/20/20

Men pray while keeping distance from each other outside their closed synagogue in Netanya, Israel, on April 23.

Rabbis mull return to shul

When Rabbi Moshe Hauer last week told Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top health adviser, that synagogues wouldn’t let congregants sit within 8 feet of each other once services resume, he was previewing a set of formal guidelines that the organization he helps lead, the Orthodox Union, would release just a day later. … more

By Marcy Oster, JTA | 5/13/20

A member of the medical team in the coronavirus unit at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv on May 4.

Hate virus hits life-saving Israel

While countries around the world struggle to get on top of the COVID-19 crisis, Israel’s achievement so far has been remarkable. Its mortality rate from the virus has been vastly smaller, … more

By Melanie Phillips | 5/13/20

Saying thanks at Parker Jewish

Friends and associates of the Parker Jewish Institute in New Hyde Park continue to express thanks for the dedication displayed during the coronavirus crisis by members of the Parker team. A boy … more

5/13/20

Conceptual illustration of the coronavirus as if it were observed from a microscope.

50 rabbis in Five Towns say the crisis may be over, OK outdoor minyanim 'under specific circumstances'

On Rosh Chodesh I'yar, we disseminated a letter addressing the numerous calls and requests that had been presented to all our community Rabbanim regarding the possibility of issuing clear guidelines, … more

5/11/20

Rabbi Zalman Wolowik of Chabad of the Five Towns, delivering an invocation at the opening of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem.

Chabad rabbi agrees that some outdoor minyanim can resume in Five Towns

Rabbi Zalman Wolowik of Chabad of the Five Towns distributed an email on Friday suggesting that “outdoor minyanim under specific circumstances” … could be safely conducted” in the … more

From Rabbi Zalman Wolowik | 5/10/20