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How Rosh Hashanah Celebrations are Adapting in the Age of Coronavirus

September 21, 2020/in header, Latest News, News /by Jersey City Times Staff

Online and outdoor services have been prepared and will dominate this holiday season to mitigate COVID-19 risks.

This story was written and produced by NJ Spotlight. It is being republished under a special NJ News Commons content-sharing agreement related to COVID-19 coverage. To read more, visit njspotlight.com.

Full story link – HERE.

By Michael Hill

At the Chabad of Bayonne, Rabbi Yisrael Bennish took NJTV News on a tour to show what COVID-19 era preparations and adjustments are being made for the Jewish new year celebration Rosh Hashanah, that starts Friday night at 7 p.m.

“We’re doing nothing indoors, we’re doing everything in this tent, so half outdoor, half indoor. It meets the guidelines of the Bayonne Health Department,” said Rabbi Yisrael Bennish, the director of Chabad of Bayonne.

Montclair State University epidemiologist Stephanie Silvera says outdoor and online services are the best way to respect the coronavirus and practice one’s faith.

“I know that in some of the reform communities, for example, they’re broadcasting their services via Zoom, which is another option. I know that’s more challenging for our conservative and orthodox community members, so in those cases if there’s a way to have an outdoor celebration, our outdoor services,” Silvera said.

Rabbi Dan Selsberg of Temple Sholom in Bridgewater says the loss of 11 people in his community has put a great weight on his shoulders, so holiday services will be online and outdoors with face coverings and social distancing.

“We have to respect where people are at. It’s important to take precautions,” Selsberg said. “Judaism, of necessity, has been built for hard times. And for better or worse, we’ve been through worse than this, so it’s designed to help carry us through periods when life isn’t ideal.”

COVID-19 realities have made Selsberg philosophical.

“Jews have been gathering at these holy days for thousands of years, literally since the dawn of civilization. I’ve had moments of fear that will this practice of thousands of years end on my watch?” he said. “God willing, we’re resilient enough that we will get through this hard time and we can make it to a period where we can flourish again and we can reinvent ourselves for whatever the world looks like post-pandemic.”

 

Header: Photo by Igal Ness on Unsplash

News Briefs

Mayor Steven Fulop and the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation (JCEDC) have launched the latest round of emergency funding to provide over $2.5 million in direct aid and support to Jersey City’s neediest residents, regardless of immigration status. The city will partner with  York Street, Women Rising, United Way, and Puertorriqueños Asociados for Community Organization (PACO). 

Darius Evans, age 45, of Jersey City was arrested  on Monday by The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in connection with the stabbing death of 39-year-old Tyrone Haskins early New Year’s morning. The charges include Murder and two counts of Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purposes.

Mayor Steven Fulop is joining forces with Uber to announce a new agreement that will expand residents’ access to COVID-19 vaccinations with free Uber rides to and from Jersey City vaccination sites. Phase 1B includes essential frontline workers and seniors 75 years old and over.

According to a report in the Jersey Journal, Jersey City received its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines Monday and plans to begin vaccinating eligible residents later this week at the Mary McLeod Bethune Center.

The federal Paycheck Protection Program, which offers businesses loans that can be forgivable, reopened on January 11th. The revised program focuses first on underserved borrowers – minority- and women-owned businesses.

Jersey Art Exchange (JAX) has merged with Art House Productions effective January 2021 to help improve and expand arts education and opportunities for the Jersey City community. JAX Founder Jacqueline Arias will remain Director of the program at Art House.

Christmas trees will be collected citywide every Wednesday night throughout the month of January. Pickup resumes this Wednesday January 13th.

Keep abreast of Jersey City Covid-19 statistics here.

Governor Murphy has launched a “Covid Transparency Website” where New Jerseyans can track state expenditures related to Covid.  Go here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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