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Coronavirus in New Jersey: What concerts, festivals and shows have been rescheduled, canceled. (3/24/20) – NJ.com

Posted By on March 25, 2020

Well gladly refund your money, but

Adding to the sting of not being able to present their spring season productions, nonprofit and not-for-profit professional and community theaters throughout the state are faced with scripting ways to deal with the loss of box office revenues.

Many are relying on patrons who have bought tickets to now-postponed productions to donate their ticket cost instead of asking for refunds.

George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick -- which has canceled performances of what would have been its current production, Conscience, and moved its next planned play, A Walk on the Moon, to next year issued this appeal on its website, georgestreetplayhouse.org:

Converting your ticket purchase to a donation supports our nonprofit organization's future in this uncertain time. If you are able, please consider making a donation to George Street Playhouse in support of our mission to bring the highest caliber of work to New Jersey audiences.

Suspending performances saddens us and causes severe financial strain to our staff and artists; your contribution means more now than ever.

Ticket holders can instead opt to receive an on-account credit toward a future GSP performance.

Neighboring Crossroads Theatre cites on its website crossroadstheatrecompany.org that ticket holders to its postponed April 9-19 production of Freedom Riders who are unable to attend any of the world premieres rescheduled dates Sept 10-20 will be able to exchange those tickets for a future show in the 2020-2021.

But it also urges theatergoers to consider a donation instead.

Crossroads appreciates individuals and organizations support over the years, and particularly now when the arts and other nonprofit organizations and businesses are inordinately compromised by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Donations and contributions can be made via the Crossroads website at crossroadstheatrecompany.org/donate.

Small arts organizations like ours are hugely impacted by the current crisis, notes Luna Stage of West Orange on its web page If youre financially able, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Luna at lunastage.org.

Luna, which was created in 1992 and became a professional theater group in 1995, has postponed its spring productions of Hooray for Ladyland! Gay History for Straight Peopel and Shruti Gupta Can Totally Deal, as well as Luna Conservatory classes.

We will reschedule when it is safe to do so. the website promises. We are so grateful to all of you for supporting our work, and for being part of our community. It is a privilege to make plays that matter to our audience, and to come together to explore how we navigate the most pressing issues of our time.

Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn not only has canceled its May-June world premiere production of The Wanderer, a musical about rock idol Dion, it also has pulled the plug on its annual fundraising gala, which was scheduled for May 15.

It is offering ticket holders a choice of full refund, refund issued as a gift card, on-account credit toward a future Paper Mill production or, the option to make a donation.

Converting your ticket purchase to a donation supports Paper Mills future in this very uncertain and unsettling time. If you are able, please consider making a contribution in support of our not-for-profit mission to produce world-class musical theater, nurture inclusion, and provide access for all.

Suspending performances pains us and causes severe financial strain to our staff and artists; your contribution means more now than ever.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey in Madison reported it is exercising apt caution by postponing its April gala and its April 28 unveiling ceremony honoring Gov. Thomas H. Kean. The companys annual gala, which will honor artistic director Bonnie J. Montes 30 years with the company, is now scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3. A new date has yet to be set for the unveiling ceremony at STNJs Kean Theatre Factory in Florham Park.

In the meantime, the theater vows to move forward with plans for its 2020 season, set to kick off on May 20 with Matthew Barbers Enchanted April. Updates can be found at shakespearenj.org.

Passage Theatre in Trenton, passagetheatre.org, bumped its March 20-22 Solo Flights production of Mother (and Me) to June 19-21 and is offering refunds or credit to ticket holders, but hope that you will consider donating your purchase to support Passage.

Smaller community theaters also are counting on patrons to help ease the financial losses created by their darkened stages.

The Players Guild of Leonia, which is based at the Civil War Drill Hall Theatre in Leonia, makes this appeal on its website leoniaplayers.org: During this challenging time for the performing arts, please consider donating your tickets. The value of your ticket(s) will be acknowledged as a charitable contribution and we will send you a tax receipt for your gift. Thank you for your consideration and support.

Established in 1919 and considered New Jerseys oldest continuing community theater group, the Guild has pushed back the May 1 opening of its next production, Follies, to June 12. It notes it will refund, exchange or credit current ticket holders who arent in the position to make a donation. It also has postponed its 100-year gala celebration until further notice.

The Somerset Valley Players in Hillsborough has canceled performances of Sweet Charity and Dont Dress for Dinner, with hopes of raising its curtain again for the July production of Harvey.

We will be working to refund all patrons for the canceled performances. Please be patient as we work through the process. As the Somerset Valley Players work through this period of a dark stage, we are asking patrons to help us by accepting gift certificates for future shows at SVP in lieu of a credit refund. However, credit card refunds will be made if you prefer. Additionally, tickets purchased on a gift certificate will be reloaded and the complimentary ticket codes will be restored.

Please contact us at reservations@svptheatre.org or at our box office at 908-369-7469 and let us know how you would like your refund processed.

Having canceled the rest of its season, Villagers Theatre in Franklin Township posted this on its website villagerstheatre.com: In the coming days any patron that has tickets to any canceled shows will be contacted. We are offering the choice to either donate your ticket, exchange your ticket for a future production or a full refund.

As a nonprofit all-volunteer organization, we rely completely on ticket sales and donations from our many patrons. This time will be testing to our organization, but fear not, we will return next season with an amazing line up of shows (to be announced soon).

Studio Playhouse in Montclair, which has canceled all performances and auditions until further notice, is working on notifying ticket holders of their options and notes it can be reached at boxoffice@studioplayhouse.org or by leaving a message at 973-744-9752.

It adds with a ray of optimism: This is not goodbye, but a momentary farewell. Weve been here since 1937 and we will be back. We look forward to entertaining you again as soon as it is safe to do so.

We wish you and your loved ones well.

Heres a rundown of arts and entertainment events that have been canceled or rescheduled throughout the state to date.

STATEWIDE

Rutgers University announced all public events scheduled at the university through the month of May are suspended, including Rutgers Day and commencements at all campuses. Visit rutgers.edu for more information.

ATLANTIC COUNTY

Murphy has ordered the indefinite closing of all Atlantic City casinos.

Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City has postponed events at least until its May 9 Mothers Day concert with Fantasia and Keith Sweat. Visit boardwalkhall.com/events.

The Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival at the Atlantic City Convention Center has been moved from April 3-4 to Aug. 7-8. Visit acbeerfest.com for details.

The Stockton University Performing Arts Center on the Galloway campus has erased its schedule of all events through April 5, including the Aunt Mary Pat show at Dante Hall Theatre of the Arts in Atlantic City. For more information contact 609-652-9000 or visit stocktonpac.org.

The African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey has rescheduled the opening reception for its latest exhibit Talking about HERstory, at Noyes Arts Garage in Atlantic City, to April 11. Visit aahmsnj.org or call 609-350-6662.

BERGEN COUNTY

Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood has canceled, postponed or rescheduled 12 shows through April 19, some of which already have secured new dates later this year. Due to the large volume of events that have been postponed or canceled, bergenPAC requests ticket holders wait to be contacted regarding their purchase. The Box Office windows will be temporarily closed but open via phone Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The Box Office can be reached at 201-227-1030.

The Hackensack Performing Arts Center in Hackensack is canceling all events through April 16. Tickets purchased for PAC the House, James Maddock, Palisades Virtuosi and Rufus Reid, the Italian Chicks and The Tea Interview with the Stars will be automatically refunded to credit card accounts through Eventbrite. For more information visit hacpac.org.

The Belskie Museum of Art and Science in Closter is closed until further notice. Visit belskiemuseum.com or call 201-768-0286.

The Mahwah Museum in Mahwah is closed through March and aims to resume exhibits and programs in April, though lectures for April 2, April 4 and May 7 have already been postponed. Visit mahwahmuseum.org or call 201-512-0099.

BURLINGTON COUNTY

The Roebling Museum in Florence has suspended all public programming through April 8. Visit roeblingmuseum.org.

CAMDEN COUNTY

The Adventure Aquarium in Camden has suspended operations through March 27, but assures proper staffing will be maintained to care of the aquatic life and animals on site. Visit adventureaquarium.com or call 844-474-3474.

The Scottish Rite Auditorium in Collingswood has postponed or rescheduled its scheduled concert dates through at least April 24. For information visit scottishriteauditorium.com or call 856-858-1000.

CAPE MAY COUNTY

The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities in Cape May has canceled or postponed all public programming, including tours of the Physick House Museum, the Cape May Lighthouse, the World War II Lookout Tower, and all Trolley Tours through Thursday, April 2. It hopes to resume regular schedule of tours, events, and activities that conclude before 8 p.m., on Friday, April 3, at least until further notice. Its cooperative event with local nonprofit and business partners, the April 3-5 Negro League Baseball Weekend also has been canceled.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

The Landis Theater in Vineland has opted to to postpone all shows and gatherings of any sort on theater property until further notice. Visit thelandistheater.com for updates.

The Levoy Theatre in Millville has rescheduled or postponed its slate of shows through May 15. Visit levoy.net or call 856-327-6400.

Wheaton Arts and Culture Center and the Museum of American Glass in Millville have suspended public programming until further notice. Keep tabs at wheatonarts.org or call 856-825-6800.

The Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts in Millville has canceled all workshops and its planned May 30 spring fundraiser. The galleries will remain open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Call 856-327-4500 or visit rrcarts.com.

ESSEX COUNTY

The Prudential Center in Newark has closed its facilities, offices, the Grammy Museum Experience and the RJWBarnabas Health Hockey House. New Jersey Devils games and events scheduled for the month of March and concerts until April 24 have been postponed. For questions, email guestservices@prucenter.com. For the up-to-date information, visit http://www.prucenter.com or http://www.newjerseydevils.com.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark has suspended all performances through June 1. All NJPAC arts education and community engagement programming also is canceled. For information call 888-466-5722 or visit njpac.org.

South Orange Performing Arts Center in South Orange has halted all shows through May 14. For information, call 973-313-2787, email boxoffice@sopacnow.org or visit sopacnow.org.

Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn has postponed its April production of Sister Act to a date yet determined, canceled three March childrens stage productions and suspended classed for eight weeks. It also announced it was putting its May world premiere production of The Wanderer on hold and canceling its May 15 fundraiser. Visit papermill.org or email boxoffice@papermill.org.

Luna Stage in West Orange has postponed its spring productions of Hooray for Ladyland! Gay History for Straight People" and "Shruti Gupta Can Totally Deal until further notice. Visit lunastage.org.

Wellmont Theater in Montclair has postponed six shows on its schedule through May 15 including Southside Johnny, Guster and Fetty Wap. For information visit wellmonttheater.com or call 973-783-9500.

Peak Performances April 2-5 world premiere of Kate Sopers opera The Romance of the Rose at Kasser Theater on the Montclair State University campus in Montclair has been postponed and the May 7-10 staging of Familie Flozs Hotel Paradiso is bumped to next season. For updates, visit peakperfs.org.

Outpost in the Burbs, based at the First Congregational Church in Montclair, has postponed three concerts through April 4 and expects to turn the lights back on for the April 17 Alejandro Escovedo concert. Visit outpostintheburgs.org.

The Puffin Cultural Forum in Teaneck has canceled all March events. Visit puffinculturalforum.org or call 201-836-3499 for updates.

The Newark Museum of Art in Newark is closed until May 28. Visit newarkmuseumart.org or call 973-596-6550.

The Montclair Art Museum in Montclair is closed until further notice. For updates, visit montclairartmuseum.org or check social media pages.

The Jewish Museum of New Jersey in Newark has canceled its Reinventing Eve exhibit and is closed to the public. Visit jewishmuseumnj.org.

The Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center in Montclair is shut until further notice. Look for updates at yogiberramuseum.org.

The Nutley Museum in Nutley has canceled all events through April. Call 973-667-1528 or visit nutleyhistoricalsociety.org

GLOUCESTER COUNTY

Broadway Theatre of Pitman has closed its doors through May 15. Call 856-384-8381 or visit thebroadwaytheatre.org.

Rowan University College of Performing Arts has canceled the March 28 Cashore Marionettes performance at Pfleeger Concert Hall on its Glassboro campus. Visit rowan.edu.

The Heritage Glass Museum in Glassboro will be closed until further notice. Contact heritageglassmuseum.com or call 856-881-7468.

HUDSON COUNTY

The Liberty Science Center in Jersey City is closed through March. Those who purchased advance tickets will have the option of a refund or donating the ticket price to the center. Visit lsc.org or call 201-200-1000.

HUNTERDON COUNTY

Music Mountain Theatre in Lambertville has put its productions on hold, aiming to raise its curtain again for the June 12 opening of Anything Goes. The April 11-May young audience production of Disneys the Lions King Experience Kids to a date to be determined. Visit musicmountaintheatre.org for more information.

Stangl Stage in Flemington has canceled its March 28 The THE BAND Band concert. It reports it will be in touch with ticket holders to arrange refunds. stanglstate.com.

The Hunterdon Art Museum in Clinton is closed until further notice but has posted three Virtual Exhibitions online: Explorations in Felt in collaboration with Fiber Art Network; Yael Eisner -- Member Highlight" and Young Arts Showcase. Visit hunterdonartmuseum.org.

The Red Mill Museum Village will be closed at least through the end of March. Visit theredmill.org.

The ACME Screening Room in Lambertville is closed but has made virtual screening of its bill of films available online. A $12 ticket makes the selected film available for five days. Visit acmescreeningroom.org/upcoming-events.

MERCER COUNTY

McCarter Theatre in Princeton has suspended all performances, classes and other events through March. For information, visit mccarter.org or call 609-258-2787.

Passage Theatre at the Mill Hill Playhouse in Trenton has pushed its production of Mother (and Me from March 20-22 to June 19-21. Look online at passagetheatre.org.

The New Jersey State Museum in Trenton is closed until further notice. Visit state.nj.us/state/museum.

The 1719 William Trent House Museum in Trenton has suspended operations through April 1. For information visit williamtrenthouse.org or call 609-989-0087.

Old Barracks Museum in Trenton is closed through March 30 but has opened a new online exhibit titled When Women Vote: The Old Barracks and the Anti-Suffrage Movement. For more information visit barracks.org/whenwomenvote.

Mercer County has shut down activities at the CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, forcing the cancellation of Disney on Ice later this month. Next event tentatively scheduled for the venue is the Adam Sandler show on April 23. For information visit cureinsurancearena.com.

The Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie is closed until April, postponing the opening of Ellarslie Open 37. Visit ellarslie.org.

The Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market at Roebling Wire Works in Trenton has been moved from April 4-5 to May 30-31. Visit trentonprfm.com or email trentonpunkrockfleamarket@gmail.com

The Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton is closed through March 29. Programming has been canceled through May 5. For information, visit groundsforsculpture.org or call 609-586-0616.

All Princeton University public events are suspended and the Princeton University Art Museum is closed through March. Visit Princeton.edu for updates.

Kelsey Theatre on the Mercer County Community College campus in West Windsor has canceled Chicken Dance," 33 Variations and Parade." The theater notes it will contact ticket holders to make further arrangements. Visit kelsey.mccc.edu for more.

1867 Sanctuary in Ewing has postponed all events through April 5. For information visit 1867sanctuary.org.

Rider University Arts has canceled on- and off-campus Westminster Choir College and Rider events through April 15. Visit rider.edu/arts.

Morven Museum and Garden in Princeton is closed to April 1. Visit morven.org.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY

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Coronavirus in New Jersey: What concerts, festivals and shows have been rescheduled, canceled. (3/24/20) - NJ.com

NYPD Raids Sleeping Truckers In Brooklyn, Tows Trucks Needed To Haul Supplies – Blue Lives Matter

Posted By on March 25, 2020

Brooklyn, NY New York Police Department (NYPD) officers conducted a raid Monday morning on a group of long-haul truckers who were sleeping in their cabs on a residential street in the 66th Precinct.

NYPD Deputy Inspector James King, the commanding officer of the 66th Precinct, tweeted about the operation right after it happened, but has since deleted the post in which he bragged about having illegally parked tractor trailers towed in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic emergency.

The tweet was captured by retired NYPD Detective David Chianese and published on his Advocacy for LEOs blog on Tuesday.

Our traffic safety officer was out on Bay pkwy towing these illegally parked trailers, the NYPD 66th Precinct tweeted on Monday morning. Please remember commercial vehicles cannot be parked on residential blocks.

The incident occurred just before dawn on March 23 when a number of over-the-road truck drivers were sleeping in the cabs of their trucks on a mixed use street in Brooklyn, according to the Advocacy for LEOs blog.

Officers from the 66th Precinct and the NYPD Traffic Enforcement Division descended on the block to wake up the out-of-state truck drivers, most of whom were catching a nap while they waited for their trailers to be reloaded for another trip, Advocacy for LEOs reported.

On Monday, instead of waking up and returning to pick up their goods to haul, the truckers were forced to deal with the impound lot to retrieve the trucks, leaving much needed supplies on pallets inside parked trailers.

NYPD sources told Blue Lives Matter that what happened in the 66th Precinct was utterly disgusting and mirrored the rest of the behavior that has been going on in the prominently Jewish Hillside community ever since the emergency shutdowns were announced.

On source said that NYPD went after the truckers because Jewish leaders in the area complained that the trucks were blocking their parking.

The largely Orthodox and Hasidic Jewish communities in Brooklyn have continued to hold large gatherings such as weddings despite orders to stay at home and observe social distancing when in public amidst the threat of the coronavirus pandemic, the New York Post reported.

The NYPD source explained to Blue Lives Matter that the Orthodox and Hasidic communities are a politically powerful voting bloc in that area and elected officials usually try hard not to raise their ire.

Its awful. If theres any disagreement between the Hasidic community and NYPD officers, the city almost exclusively sides with the Jewish community there, the source complained. It doesnt matter how right the police officer is. A lot of the laws get flouted and a blind eye is turned because that community votes as a block and what they say goes with the mayor.

He said the raid on the sleeping truck drivers never should have happened during the state of emergency.

This is a situation where the precinct commander didnt have the balls to tell the community leaders that theyre being ridiculous, the NYPD official told Blue Lives Matter. Why would he send officers to mess with these truckers who need to deliver supplies, effectively exposing all of the officers and the truckers to each other for no reason? Its just inexcusable.

Truck drivers across the United States have been working furiously to deliver supplies across the nation to refill the shelves stripped by panicked shoppers going into self quarantine as the coronavirus pandemic spreads across the country.

Many rest stops are closed along highways, and thats where most of the truckers do their overnight stays on long hauls, according to KRNV.

There have been numerous reports of police departments across the country helping out the truckers by running their orders through restaurant drive-thrus because the trucks are usually too big to fit.

In Eufaula, Alabama, the police department announced they wanted to help the hungry truck drivers, AL.com reported.

To that end, if you are a truck driver, and need to take time off the road in Eufaula, we will assist you in getting food, the Eufaula Police Department posted on their official Facebook page. With more and more restaurants limiting their dining room access, it is becoming harder for our truck driving friends to find places to eat. We will either go get something for you, or give you a ride to the nearest drive through (if you dont mind riding in the back seat).

If manpower is such that we cannot assist, we will secure someone that can, the police department promised.

In Nevada, residents have been delivering warm meals to the drivers stuck in their rigs, KRNV reported.

"We are working non-stop, but it's to make sure people get what they need," Ronda Aucoin, a truck driver from Kentucky, said. "Nevadans have been especially nice, since a few places are closed and not allowing us to stay the night when we're done working."

Neither NYPD nor New York City Mayor Bill de Blasios office responded to Blue Lives Matters request for comment.

More:

NYPD Raids Sleeping Truckers In Brooklyn, Tows Trucks Needed To Haul Supplies - Blue Lives Matter

Coronavirus in New Jersey: What concerts, festivals and shows have been rescheduled, canceled. (3/23/20) – NJ.com

Posted By on March 24, 2020

STATEWIDE

Rutgers University announced all public events scheduled at the university through the month of May are suspended, including Rutgers Day and commencements at all campuses. Visit rutgers.edu for more information.

ATLANTIC COUNTY

Murphy has ordered the indefinite closing of all Atlantic City casinos.

Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City has postponed events at least until its May 9 Mothers Day concert with Fantasia and Keith Sweat. Visit boardwalkhall.com/events.

The Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival at the Atlantic City Convention Center has been moved from April 3-4 to Aug. 7-8. Visit acbeerfest.com for details.

The Stockton University Performing Arts Center on the Galloway campus has erased its schedule of all events through April 5, including the Aunt Mary Pat show at Dante Hall Theatre of the Arts in Atlantic City. For more information contact 609-652-9000 or visit stocktonpac.org.

The African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey has rescheduled the opening reception for its latest exhibit Talking about HERstory, at Noyes Arts Garage in Atlantic City, to April 11. Visit aahmsnj.org or call 609-350-6662.

BERGEN COUNTY

Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood has canceled, postponed or rescheduled 12 shows through April 19, some of which already have secured new dates later this year. Due to the large volume of events that have been postponed or canceled, bergenPAC requests ticket holders wait to be contacted regarding their purchase. The Box Office windows will be temporarily closed but open via phone Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The Box Office can be reached at 201-227-1030.

The Hackensack Performing Arts Center in Hackensack is canceling all events through April 16. Tickets purchased for PAC the House, James Maddock, Palisades Virtuosi and Rufus Reid, the Italian Chicks and The Tea Interview with the Stars will be automatically refunded to credit card accounts through Eventbrite. For more information visit hacpac.org.

Rutherfurd Hall in Allamuchy has suspended operations through April 1 and issued this statement: All activities, programs and museum hours will be postponed. ... We will update the website and contact all current ticket holders for each event as new dates are determined. Visit rutherfurdhall.org for more information.

The Belskie Museum of Art and Science in Closter is closed until further notice. Visit belskiemuseum.com or call 201-768-0286.

The Mahwah Museum in Mahwah is closed through March and aims to resume exhibits and programs in April, though lectures for April 2, April 4 and May 7 have already been postponed. Visit mahwahmuseum.org or call 201-512-0099.

BURLINGTON COUNTY

The Roebling Museum in Florence has suspended all public programming through April 8. Visit roeblingmuseum.org.

CAMDEN COUNTY

The Adventure Aquarium in Camden has suspended operations through March 27, but assures proper staffing will be maintained to care of the aquatic life and animals on site. Visit adventureaquarium.com or call 844-474-3474.

The Scottish Rite Auditorium in Collingswood has postponed or rescheduled its scheduled concert dates through at least April 24. For information visit scottishriteauditorium.com or call 856-858-1000.

CAPE MAY COUNTY

The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities in Cape May has canceled or postponed all public programming, including tours of the Physick House Museum, the Cape May Lighthouse, the World War II Lookout Tower, and all Trolley Tours through Thursday, April 2. It hopes to resume regular schedule of tours, events, and activities that conclude before 8 p.m., on Friday, April 3, at least until further notice. Its cooperative event with local nonprofit and business partners, the April 3-5 Negro League Baseball Weekend also has been canceled.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

The Landis Theater in Vineland has opted to to postpone all shows and gatherings of any sort on theater property until further notice. Visit thelandistheater.com for updates.

The Levoy Theatre in Millville has rescheduled or postponed its slate of shows through May 15. Visit levoy.net or call 856-327-6400.

Wheaton Arts and Culture Center and the Museum of American Glass in Millville have suspended public programming until further notice. Keep tabs at wheatonarts.org or call 856-825-6800.

The Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts in Millville has canceled all workshops and its planned May 30 spring fundraiser. The galleries will remain open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Call 856-327-4500 or visit rrcarts.com.

ESSEX COUNTY

The Prudential Center in Newark has closed its facilities, offices, the Grammy Museum Experience and the RJWBarnabas Health Hockey House. New Jersey Devils games and events scheduled for the month of March and concerts until April 24 have been postponed. For questions, email guestservices@prucenter.com. For the up-to-date information, visit http://www.prucenter.com or http://www.newjerseydevils.com.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark has suspended all performances through June 1. All NJPAC arts education and community engagement programming also is canceled. For information call 888-466-5722 or visit njpac.org.

South Orange Performing Arts Center in South Orange has halted all shows through May 14. For information, call 973-313-2787, email boxoffice@sopacnow.org or visit sopacnow.org.

Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn has postponed its April production of Sister Act to a date yet determined, canceled three March childrens stage productions and suspended classed for eight weeks. It also announced it was putting its May world premiere production of The Wanderer on hold and canceling its May 15 fundraiser. Visit papermill.org or email boxoffice@papermill.org.

Luna Stage in West Orange has postponed its spring productions of Hooray for Ladyland! Gay History for Straight People" and "Shruti Gupta Can Totally Deal until further notice. Visit lunastage.org.

Wellmont Theater in Montclair has postponed six shows on its schedule through May 15 including Southside Johnny, Guster and Fetty Wap. For information visit wellmonttheater.com or call 973-783-9500.

Peak Performances April 2-5 world premiere of Kate Sopers opera The Romance of the Rose at Kasser Theater on the Montclair State University campus in Montclair has been postponed and the May 7-10 staging of Familie Flozs Hotel Paradiso is bumped to next season. For updates, visit peakperfs.org.

Outpost in the Burbs, based at the First Congregational Church in Montclair, has postponed three concerts through April 4 and expects to turn the lights back on for the April 17 Alejandro Escovedo concert. Visit outpostintheburgs.org.

The Puffin Cultural Forum in Teaneck has canceled all March events. Visit puffinculturalforum.org or call 201-836-3499 for updates.

The Newark Museum of Art in Newark is closed until May 28. Visit newarkmuseumart.org or call 973-596-6550.

The Montclair Art Museum in Montclair is closed until further notice. For updates, visit montclairartmuseum.org or check social media pages.

The Jewish Museum of New Jersey in Newark has canceled its Reinventing Eve exhibit and is closed to the public. Visit jewishmuseumnj.org.

The Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center in Montclair is shut until further notice. Look for updates at yogiberramuseum.org.

The Nutley Museum in Nutley has canceled all events through April. Call 973-667-1528 or visit nutleyhistoricalsociety.org

GLOUCESTER COUNTY

Broadway Theatre of Pitman has closed its doors through May 15. Call 856-384-8381 or visit thebroadwaytheatre.org.

Rowan University College of Performing Arts has canceled the March 28 Cashore Marionettes performance at Pfleeger Concert Hall on its Glassboro campus. Visit rowan.edu.

The Heritage Glass Museum in Glassboro will be closed until further notice. Contact heritageglassmuseum.com or call 856-881-7468.

HUDSON COUNTY

The Liberty Science Center in Jersey City is closed through March. Those who purchased advance tickets will have the option of a refund or donating the ticket price to the center. Visit lsc.org or call 201-200-1000.

HUNTERDON COUNTY

Music Mountain Theatre in Lambertville has put its productions on hold, aiming to raise its curtain again for the June 12 opening of Anything Goes. The April 11-May young audience production of Disneys the Lions King Experience Kids to a date to be determined. Visit musicmountaintheatre.org for more information.

Stangl Stage in Flemington has canceled its March 28 The THE BAND Band concert. It reports it will be in touch with ticket holders to arrange refunds. stanglstate.com.

The Hunterdon Art Museum in Clinton is closed until further notice but has posted three Virtual Exhibitions online: Explorations in Felt in collaboration with Fiber Art Network; Yael Eisner -- Member Highlight" and Young Arts Showcase. Visit hunterdonartmuseum.org.

The Red Mill Museum Village will be closed at least through the end of March. Visit theredmill.org.

The ACME Screening Room in Lambertville is closed but has made virtual screening of its bill of films available online. A $12 ticket makes the selected film available for five days. Visit acmescreeningroom.org/upcoming-events.

MERCER COUNTY

McCarter Theatre in Princeton has suspended all performances, classes and other events through March. For information, visit mccarter.org or call 609-258-2787.

Passage Theatre at the Mill Hill Playhouse in Trenton has pushed its production of Mother (and Me from March 20-22 to June 19-21. Look online at passagetheatre.org.

The New Jersey State Museum in Trenton is closed until further notice. Visit state.nj.us/state/museum.

The 1719 William Trent House Museum in Trenton has suspended operations through April 1. For information visit williamtrenthouse.org or call 609-989-0087.

Old Barracks Museum in Trenton is closed through March 30 but has opened a new online exhibit titled When Women Vote: The Old Barracks and the Anti-Suffrage Movement. For more information visit barracks.org/whenwomenvote.

Mercer County has shut down activities at the CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, forcing the cancellation of Disney on Ice later this month. Next event tentatively scheduled for the venue is the Adam Sandler show on April 23. For information visit cureinsurancearena.com.

The Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie is closed until April, postponing the opening of Ellarslie Open 37. Visit ellarslie.org.

The Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market at Roebling Wire Works in Trenton has been moved from April 4-5 to May 30-31. Visit trentonprfm.com or email trentonpunkrockfleamarket@gmail.com

The Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton is closed through March 29. Programming has been canceled through May 5. For information, visit groundsforsculpture.org or call 609-586-0616.

All Princeton University public events are suspended and the Princeton University Art Museum is closed through March. Visit Princeton.edu for updates.

Kelsey Theatre on the Mercer County Community College campus in West Windsor has canceled Chicken Dance," 33 Variations and Parade." The theater notes it will contact ticket holders to make further arrangements. Visit kelsey.mccc.edu for more.

1867 Sanctuary in Ewing has postponed all events through April 5. For information visit 1867sanctuary.org.

Rider University Arts has canceled on- and off-campus Westminster Choir College and Rider events through April 15. Visit rider.edu/arts.

Morven Museum and Garden in Princeton is closed to April 1. Visit morven.org.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY

State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick has canceled or postponed programming through April. Ticket holders will be notified by email and phone of their options. For more information visit stnj.org or call 732- 246-7469.

Crossroads Theatre Company in New Brunswick has pushed back its opening for Freedom Rider from April to Sept. 10. Visit crossroadstheatrecompany.org or call 732-545-8100.

George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick has suspended the remaining performances of Conscience" and has shifted its April 21-May 17 performances of A Walk on the Moon to next season. Contact 732-246-7717 or georgestplayhouse.org.

The Avenel Performing Arts Center in Avenel has Bodiographys April 3-5 performances to Oct. 2-4. Contact 732-314-0500 or avenelarts.com.

East Jersey Old Town Village and the Cornelius Low House Museum in Piscataway are closed until further notice. Season opening weekend scheduled for April 4- 5 and the Liberty Base Ball Club home opener on April 4 have been canceled. For updates, text CULTURE to 56512.

MONMOUTH COUNTY

Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank has postponed performances through mid-April, with some events already rescheduled for later this year. Ticket holders unable to make any new dates should contact our box office at 732-842-9000 to make alternate arrangements. The April Count Basie Center Teen + College FilmFest screening have bee shifted to a free online streaming. Visit thebasie.org for updates.

Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal has suspended all productions through April 20, including Matilda the Musical, Satchmo and Friends in New Orleans and Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater. For information call 732-531-9106 or visit axelrodartscenter.com.

The Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan has postponed shows through May 17. Visit algonquinarts.org for updates.

Monmouth University Center for the Arts in West Long Branch has postponed scheduled events through April 10. Visit monmouth.edu/mca for updates.

The Garden State Film Festival, scheduled for March 25-29, will resort to live streaming of its films for ticket holders through its private servers. Physical festival events such as industry activities, workshops and panels have been canceled. Visit http://www.gsff.org.

The Asbury Park Boardwalk issued this announcement on Tuesday, March 17: Effective immediately we are temporarily closing venues along the Asbury Park waterfront, which include The Stone Pony, Wonder Bar, Convention Hall, and Paramount Theatre. This temporary closing also encompasses the Grand Arcade (the passthrough located between the Paramount Theatre and Convention Hall) and its retailers, restaurants and public restrooms. For all other establishments along the boardwalk, please refer to that business website and social platforms for their policies and updates. For information, visit apboardwalk.com.

Spring Lake Theatre Company has postponed the planned March 20 opening its production of Monty Pythons Spamalot at the Spring Lake Community House to some time in mid-April. Call 732-449-4530 or visit springlaketheatre.com.

Two River Theater in Red Bank has suspended all performances through May 10. Look online at tworivertheater.org for updated information.

The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County has suspended all programming through April. Visit jhmomc.org.

The Monmouth Museum in Lincroft is closed until further notice. Visit monmouthmuseum.org or call 732-224-1995.

The Monmouth Civic Chorus has canceled its March 29 concert at First Presbyterian Church of Freehold in Freehold. For information contact monmouthcivicchorus.org or 732- 933-9333.

MORRIS COUNTY

Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown has suspended performances through April. All ticket holders will be contacted with more details. For information, call 973- 539-8008 or visit mayoarts.org.

Drew University in Madison has canceled its public events through March. Visit drew.edu for more information.

The Spring CraftMorristown scheduled for March 27-29 at the Morristown National Guard Armory has been postponed to a date to be determined. For information, visit artider.com or call 845-331-7900.

The Morris Museum in Morristown will be closed to the public until further notice. All upcoming ticketed events have been postponed and will be rescheduled for later dates. For information, call 973-971-3700 or visit morrismuseum.org.

Macculloch Hall Historical Museum in Morristown has canceled programming and will remain closed until March 31. Visit macculloughhall.org or call 973-538-2404.

The Museum of Early Trades and Crafts has postponed public programs and plans to issue daily updates at metc.org.

The Folk Project has canceled its April slate of weekly concerts and will reassess its plans for May. Visit folkproject.org or call 973-335-9489.

Roxbury Arts Alliance has rescheduled the March 28 The Music of John Denver and the Great American Country concert with Charlie Zahm and Friends at Investors Bank Theater in Roxbury to May 29. All other events through May 16 and have been postponed with new dates to be announced. Visit roxburyalliance.org or call 862-219-1379.

Morristown National Historical Park in Morristown announced the park visitor center, museum and historic buildings are closed until further notice. Where it is possible to adhere to the latest health guidance, the park grounds, parking lots and restroom facilities in Jockey Hollow remain open. More information and online exhibits can be found at nps.gov/morr.

The Boonton Historical Society and Museum in Boonton is closed until further notice. Visit boonton.org or email boontonhistory@boonton.org.

Brundage Park Playhouse has rescheduled its March 29 Rocking With the Oldies fundraiser to Sept. 20. brundageparkplayhouse.org

OCEAN COUNTY

The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts on the Ocean County College campus in Toms River has postponed its lineup of shows through April 2, plus it April 4 The Amazing Max show. Visit http://www.grunincenter.org/events or call 732-255-0500.

See more here:

Coronavirus in New Jersey: What concerts, festivals and shows have been rescheduled, canceled. (3/23/20) - NJ.com

It’s time to ask: What happened to Israeli left? – The Jewish Star

Posted By on March 24, 2020

By Caroline Glick

Knesset member Ofer Shelah of Israels Blue and White Party is the architect of his partys current efforts to form a government with the support of the Joint Arab List. If Shelah succeeds, he will have formed a radical, post-Zionist minority government entirely dependent on 15 Arab lawmakers, who reject Israels right to exist, just to stay afloat.

As Shelah blazed forward in his efforts, political philosopher Yoram Hazony recalled an earlier bid by Shelah to force the public to accept post-Zionist positions hostile to the very right of the Jewish people to self-determination.

In February 2001, the Yitzhak Rabin Center convened a meeting of Israels elites from across the political spectrum to compose a document that would set out the Jewish goals of the State of Israel. The meetings led to the drafting of the Kinneret Charter, which in later years served as the basis for the 2018 Basic Law: Israel, the Nation-State of the Jewish People.

The Rabin Center was spurred to action by three dramatic events. First, in July 2000, PLO chief Yasser Arafat rejected Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Baraks offer of statehood and peace at the Camp David summit, effectively ending the Oslo peace process. In September, Arafat ordered his forces to initiate a campaign of terror against Israel the likes of which hadnt been seen since the 1930s. And in October 2000, the Arab Israeli community joined the Palestinian onslaught. In two weeks of violent riots, Arab Israelis throughout the country assaulted their Jewish neighbors and countrymen and called for the destruction of the state.

The third event the Arab Israeli riots shook Israeli society to its core because it called into question the very survival of the state as a coherent political unit.

As a well-known journalist, Shelah was invited to participate in the inaugural meeting. Hazony recalled that the politician now pushing the hardest to form a government reliant on the Joint List which rejects the legitimacy of the Jewish state, stood up and announced that he refused to participate in a Jewish-only forum and demanded that Arab Israelis be invited to participate.

Prof. Ruth Gavison, perhaps the most influential intellectual on the left at the time, responded that Jews have a right to convene to discuss their future just as Arabs do. Most of the participants, including some on the far left, like former Education Minister Yuli Tamir of Peace Now, agreed with Gavison.

With his demand rejected, Shelah walked out. A handful of participants joined him.

This week, with the liberal mass media providing wall-to-wall support for Blue and Whites efforts to form a post-Zionist government dependent on the anti-Zionist Joint List, it appears that over the past 19 years, Shelahs post-Zionism has moved from the margins to the mainstream. The medias energetic attempts to defend Blue and Whites efforts show that post-Zionism is the predominant position of the Israeli left.

How did this happen?

Dozens of leading lights of Israeli society signed the Kinneret Charter in July 2001. The next month, the ideals they embraced were bludgeoned by the international community. In late August 2001, the United Nations convened its anti-racism conference in Durban, South Africa. At Durban, U.N. member states and the most prominent non-governmental organizations in the world came together to libel and criminalize the Jewish state and people with unprecedented brutality.

Just ten years before, in 1991, the United States used its post-Cold War clout at the United Nations to repeal U.N. General Assembly Resolution 3379 from 1975. Resolution 3379 defined Zionism, the Jewish national liberation movement, as a form of racism. At that time, it was still taken for granted in the Western world that it is anti-Semitic to deny the Jewish peoples right to self-determination in their homeland.

Two conferences were convened at Durban a conference of U.N. member nations and a conference of non-governmental organizations. In both, Resolution 3379 was not merely brought back from the dead, it was transformed into the cri de coeur of the United Nations and the international NGO community. The NGO conference produced a shocking resolution that called for Israels destruction as a Jewish state and accused Israel of being a Nazi, apartheid regime that was committing genocide and other war crimes. U.N. member states and NGOs were directed to enact a total boycott of Israel.

The international boycott campaign against Israel was initiated shortly thereafter.

One of the groups most responsible for the diplomatic pogrom at Durban was an Israeli Arab legal advocacy organization called Adalah. The heads of Adalah played leading roles in drafting the resolution. Adalah, which is funded by the European Union and anti-Israel foundations in the United States, set about organizing the Israeli Arab community around the NGO resolution. Arab MKs all parrot the language of hatred and rejection of Israel and Jewish peoplehood that was so violently expressed in the Durban resolution.

Together with other subversive, anti-Zionist NGOs, Adalah works through Israels post-nationalist Supreme Court to block elected officials in the government and Knesset from enforcing the laws of the state towards Arab Israelis. In accordance with the Durban NGO resolution, they demand that Israeli Arabs be accorded communal rights, and so effectively undermine Israels ability to operate as a democracy governed by the rule of law.

Internationally, Adalah is actively involved in boycott efforts against Israel whose goal is to criminalize Zionism, Israels supporters abroad and Israels very existence. The anti-Israel portion of the Black Lives Matter charter was reportedly written by Adalah.

Among Israeli Jews, views like Adalahs have long been dominant in many universities. Already at the outset of the Palestinian terror war against Israel, professors from Israels premier universities signed petitions calling for Israeli soldiers to refuse to serve in Judea, Samaria and Gaza, and for the economic boycott of Israel.

Over the past generation, inspired by retired Supreme Court president Aharon Barak, these positions have come to dominate the legal fraternity as well. Barak is the father of Israels legal revolution, which gave unchecked powers to the Supreme Court and state prosecution. Baraks morally relativist, post-modern world view holds that every nationincluding Israelhas the potential to act like Nazi Germany.

Baraks view ignores the plain fact, borne out by hundreds of years of German history before World War II, that Nazism was not alien to Germany, but in many ways, intrinsic to it. So too, his view discounts thousands of years of Jewish history and heritage, as well as the character of contemporary Israeli society, which all negate the prospect of Israel ever adopting the characteristics of Nazi Germany.

Aside from its historic and sociological inanity, Baraks view is also problematic from the perspective of anti-Semitism.

Like most Western democracies, Israel embraces the definition of anti-Semitism conceived by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. According to the IHRA definition, Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis, is an example of anti-Semitism.

So by claiming that Israel can potentially become a Nazi state, members of the Barak-influenced Israeli legal fraternity have embraced perceptions of Israel that are substantively anti-Semitic.

Perhaps the most problematic place where echoes of the Durban conference are heard is the Israel Defense Forces officer corps. These echoes are heard loudest in IDF discussions of the lessons of the Holocaust.

In 1993, then education minister Shulamit Aloni, from the post-Zionist Meretz Party, joined then prime minister Yitzhak Rabin at the newly inaugurated March of the Living, which brings Jewish groups to Auschwitz. Aloni remarked that she believed the trip would be destructive to Israeli schoolchildren, who would go to Auschwitz and come home as right-wingers.

Over the past decade, distressing signs appeared that the IDF senior brass shares Alonis position on Auschwitz and the right wing.

On the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day in 2016, then IDF deputy chief of staff and current Meretz MK Yair Golan gave a speech at an official ceremony. There, he explicitly drew a comparison between contemporary Israel and Nazi Germany. Golan alleged that nauseating trends that occurred in Europe generally and in Germany specifically back then70, 80 and 90 years agoare now present among us.

When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded that then-defense minister Moshe Yaalon instruct Gen. Golan to retract his remarks, Yaalon refused. Yaalon (who now prefers forming a minority coalition with Meretz backed by the pro-Hezbollah Joint List to forming a unity government with Likud), insisted that Golans straightforward defamation of Israeli society had been distorted and taken out of context. He then attacked his fellow politicians for having the temerity to criticize Golans scandalous remarks.

In his words, The attacks on [Golan] which stem from deliberately distorted interpretations of his remarks are yet another attempt in the worrying and irritating campaign to politically harm the IDF and its officers. Woe to us if we permit this to happen.

Yaalon then claimed that it is the duty of IDF commanders to shape the values of their soldiers, and to serve as their compass and conscience.

The storm of controversy that Golans slander of Israeli society provoked came in the midst of another public outcry, over the brutal treatment that Yaalon and his fellow generals meted out against IDF Sgt. Elor Azaria for killing a wounded terrorist in Hebron. Yaalon and his generals castigated Azaria as a criminal before the IDF even investigated the allegations raised against him by a video taken by anti-Israel activists from the radical BTselem group.

The widespread sense of the public was that Yaalon and his generals rushed to side with radical leftists who seek to criminalize IDF soldiers against Azaria, a young conscript who claimed he acted out of fear that the terrorist was about to detonate an explosive vest.

Two years ago, a mid-level IDF career officer who had just returned from an IDF delegation to the March of the Living told me that the post-modern, anti-Israel views that Golan gave voice to in his 2016 speech were among the central themes of the lessons he and his colleagues received from the Education Corps before and during their trip to Poland.

In other words, put lightly, post-Zionism, which views Israel as atavistic at best and xenophobic at worst, is not unfamiliar to IDF commanders.

Gantz, Yaalon and Gabi Ashkenazi, the three former IDF chiefs of staff who lead Blue and White, (together with Shelahs friend Yair Lapid), were at the helm of the IDF when these events occurred.

We dont know how Israels political Gordian knot, the product of yet another inconclusive election, will be cut. But what is clear enough is that Blue and Whites eagerness to form a coalition dependent on lawmakers who reject Zionism and support terrorists is the consequence of a decades-long process that led to the post-Zionist takeover of the Israeli left. This process will not be reversed by the simple formation of a government, regardless of who leads it, and who supports it.

Excerpt from:

It's time to ask: What happened to Israeli left? - The Jewish Star

What Happened to the Israeli Left? – The Jewish Voice

Posted By on March 24, 2020

By: Caroline Glick

MK Ofer Shelah from the Blue and White party is the architect of his partys current efforts to form a government with the support of Joint Arab List. If Shelah succeeds, he will have formed a radical, post-Zionist minority government entirely dependent on 15 Arab lawmakers, who reject Israels right to exist, just to stay afloat.

MK Ofer Shelah from the Blue and White party is the architect of his partys current efforts to form a government with the support of Joint Arab List. If Shelah succeeds, he will have formed a radical, post-Zionist minority government entirely dependent on 15 Arab lawmakers, who reject Israels right to exist, just to stay afloat. Photo Credit: Wikipedia.com

As Shelah blazed forward in his efforts, political philosopher Yoram Hazony recalled an earlier bid by Shelah to force the public to accept post-Zionist positions hostile to the very right of the Jewish people to self-determination.

In February 2001, the Yitzhak Rabin Center convened a meeting of Israels elites from across the political spectrum to compose a document that would set out the Jewish goals of the State of Israel. The meetings led to the drafting of the Kinneret Charter, which in later years served as the basis for the 2018 Basic Law: Israel, the Nation-State of the Jewish People.

The Rabin Center was spurred to action by three dramatic events. First in July 2000, PLO chief Yassir Arafat rejected Ehud Baraks offer of statehood and peace at the Camp David summit, effectively ending the Oslo peace process. In September, Arafat ordered his terror forces to initiate a campaign of terror against Israel the likes of which hadnt been seen since the 1930s.

And in October 2000, the Arab Israeli community joined the Palestinian onslaught. In two weeks of violent riots, Arab Israelis throughout the country assaulted their Jewish neighbors and countrymen and called for the destruction of the state.

The third event the Arab Israeli riots shook Israeli society to its core because it called into question the very survival of the state as a coherent political unit.

As a well-known journalist, Shelah was invited to participate in the inaugural meeting. Hazony recalled that the politician now pushing the hardest to form a government reliant the Joint Arab List which rejects the legitimacy of the Jewish state, stood up and announced that he refused to participate in a Jewish-only forum and demanded that Arab Israelis be invited to participate.

Prof. Ruth Gavison, perhaps the most influential intellectual on the Left at the time, responded that Jews have a right to convene to discuss their future just as Arabs do. Photo Credit: YouTube

Prof. Ruth Gavison, perhaps the most influential intellectual on the Left at the time, responded that Jews have a right to convene to discuss their future just as Arabs do. Most of the participants, including some on the far left, like former Education Minister Prof. Yuli Tamir from Peace Now, agreed with Gavison.

With his demand rejected, Shelah walked out. A handful of participants joined him.

This week, with the liberal mass media providing wall-to-wall support for Blue and Whites efforts to form a post-Zionist government dependent on the anti-Zionist Joint Arab List, it appears that over the past 19 years, Shelahs post-Zionism has moved from the margins to the mainstream. The medias energetic attempts to defend Blue and Whites efforts show that post-Zionism is the predominant position of the Israeli left.

How did this happen?

Dozens of leading lights of Israeli society signed the Kinneret Charter in July 2001. The next month, the ideals they embraced were bludgeoned by the international community. In late August 2001, the UN convened its anti-racism conference in Durban, South Africa. At Durban, UN member states and the most prominent non-governmental organizations in the world came together to libel and criminalize the Jewish state and people with unprecedented brutality.

Just ten years before, in 1991, the US used its post-Cold War clout at the UN to repeal UN General Assembly resolution 3379 from 1975. Resolution 3379 defined Zionism, the Jewish national liberation movement as a form of racism. At that time, it was still taken for granted in the Western world that it is anti-Semitic to deny the Jewish peoples right to self-determination in their homeland.

Two conferences were convened at Durban a conference of UN member nations and a conference of non-governmental organizations. In both, Resolution 3379 was not merely brought back from the dead. It was transformed into the cri de coeurof the UN and the international NGO community. The NGO conference produced a shocking resolution that called for Israels destruction as a Jewish state and accused Israel of being a Nazi, Apartheid regime that was committing genocide and other war crimes. UN member states and NGOs were directed to enact a total boycott of Israel.

The international boycott campaign against Israel was initiated shortly thereafter.

One of the groups most responsible for the diplomatic pogrom at Durban was an Israeli Arab legal advocacy organization called Adalah. The heads of Adalah played leading roles in drafting the resolution. Following the conference, Adalah, which is funded by the EU and anti-Israel foundations in the US set about organizing the Israeli Arab community around the NGO resolution. Arab MKs all parrot the language of hatred and rejection of Israel and Jewish peoplehood that was so violently expressed in the Durban resolution.

Former Education Minister Prof. Yuli Tamir from Peace Now. Photo Credit: YouTube

Together with other subversive, anti-Zionist NGOs, Adalah works through the post-nationalist Supreme Court to block elected officials in the government and Knesset from enforcing the laws of the state towards Arab Israelis. In accordance with the Durban NGO resolution, they demand that Israeli Arabs be accorded communal rights, and so effectively undermine Israels ability to operate as a democracy governed by the rule of law. Internationally, Adalah is actively involved in boycott efforts against Israel whose goal is to criminalize Zionism, Israels supporters abroad and Israels very existence. The anti-Israel portion of the Black Lives Matter charter was reportedly written by Adalah.

Among Israeli Jews, views like Adalahs have long been dominant in many universities. Already at the outset of the Palestinian terror war against Israel, professors from Israels premier universities signed petitions calling for IDF soldiers to refuse to serve in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza and calling for the economic boycott of Israel.

Over the past generation, inspired by retired Supreme Court president Aharon Barak, these positions have come to dominate the legal fraternity as well. Barak is the father of Israels legal revolution, which gave unchecked powers to the Supreme Court and state prosecution. Baraks morally relativist, post-modern world view holds that every nation including Israel has the potential to act like Nazis. Baraks view ignores the plain fact, borne out by hundreds of years of German history before World War II that Nazism was not alien to Germany, but in many ways, intrinsic to it. So too, his view discounts thousands of years of Jewish history and heritage, as well as the character of contemporary Israeli society which all negate the prospect of Israel ever adopting the characteristics of Nazi Germany.

Aside from its historic and sociological inanity, Baraks view is also problematic from the perspective of anti-Semitism.

Like most Western democracies, Israel embraces the definition of anti-Semitism conceived by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. According to the IHRA definition, Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis, is an example of anti-Semitism.

So by claiming that Israel can potentially become a Nazi state, members of the Barak-influenced Israeli legal fraternity have embraced perceptions of Israel that are substantively anti-Semitic.

Perhaps the most problematic place where echoes of the Durban conference are heard is the IDF officer corps. These echoes are heard loudest in IDF discussions of the lessons of the Holocaust.

Together with other subversive, anti-Zionist NGOs, Adalah works through the post-nationalist Supreme Court to block elected officials in the governmen

In 1993, then education minister Shulamit Aloni, from the post-Zionist Meretz party joined then prime minister Yitzhak Rabin at the newly inaugurated March of the Living, which brings Jewish groups to Auschwitz. Aloni remarked that she believed the trip would be destructive to Israeli school children who would go to Auschwitz and come home right-wingers.

Over the past decade, distressing signs appeared that the IDF senior brass shares Alonis position on Auschwitz and the right-wing.

On the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day in 2016, then IDF deputy chief of staff and current Meretz MK Yair Golan gave a speech at an official ceremony. There, he explicitly drew a comparison between contemporary Israel and Nazi Germany. Golan alleged that nauseating trends that occurred in Europe generally and in Germany specifically back then 70, 80 and 90 years ago are now present among us.

When Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded that then-defense minister Moshe Yaalon instruct Gen. Golan to retract his remarks, Yaalon refused. Yaalon (who now prefers forming a minority coalition with Meretz backed by the pro-Hezbollah Joint Arab List to forming a unity government with Likud), insisted that Golans straightforward defamation of Israeli society had been distorted and taken out of context. He then attacked his fellow politicians for having the temerity to criticize Golans scandalous remarks.

In his words, The attacks on [Golan] which stem from deliberately distorted interpretations of his remarks are yet another attempt in the worrying and irritating campaign to politically harm the IDF and its officers. Woe to us if we permit this to happen.

Yaalon then claimed that it is the duty of IDF commanders to shape the values of their soldiers, and to serve as their compass and conscience.

The storm of controversy that Golans slander of Israeli society provoked came in the midst of another public outcry over the brutal treatment that Yaalon and his fellow generals meted out against IDF Sgt. Elor Azaria for killing a wounded terrorist in Hebron. Yaalon and his generals castigated Azaria as a criminal before the IDF even investigated the allegations raised against him by a video taken by anti-Israel activists from the radical Btselem group. The widespread sense of the public was the Yaalon and his generals rushed to side with radical leftists who seek to criminalize IDF soldiers against Azaria, a young conscript who claimed he acted out of fear that the terrorist was about to detonate an explosive vest.

Two years ago, a mid-level IDF career officer who had just returned from an IDF delegation to the March of the Living told me that the post-modern, anti-Israel views that Golan gave voice to in his 2016 speech were among the central themes of the lessons he and his colleagues received from the Education Corps before and during their trip to Poland.

In other words, put lightly, post-Zionism, which views Israel as atavistic at best, and xenophobic at worst is not unfamiliar to IDF commanders.

Benny Gantz, Yaalon and Gaby Ashkenazy, the three former IDF chiefs of staff who lead Blue and White, (together with Shelahs friend Yair Lapid), were at the helm of the IDF when these events occurred.

We dont know how Israels political Gordian knot, the product of yet another inconclusive election, will be cut. But what is clear enough is that Blue and Whites eagerness to form a coalition dependent on lawmakers who reject Zionism and support terrorists is the consequence of a decades-long process that led to the post-Zionist takeover of the Israeli Left. This process will not be reversed by the simple formation of a government, regardless of who leads it, and who supports it.

(Originally published at Israel HaYom)

Read the rest here:

What Happened to the Israeli Left? - The Jewish Voice

Fight Your Illness by Fighting Your Fears – A letter from the Tzemach Tzedek – Chabad.org

Posted By on March 24, 2020

R. Shlomo Freides daughter was married to a son of the third Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel, known as the Tzemach Tzedek. R Freides had fallen ill and was consumed with worry over his health.

It seems likely that this letter followed a response by Freides to the letter posted here, in which the Tzemach Tzedek wrote that the worry itself was hurting his health. Freides, it seems, responded that he is praying to Gd to take away his fear and worry. The Tzemach Tzedek is not at all satisfied with this response, and makes the point that overcoming ones fear is something that Gd gives man to achieve.

Yes, its true that we have to ask Gd for joy, as the Psalm goes, Rejoice the soul of your servant! Similarly, in our prayers, Remove grief and moaning from amongst us.

Nevertheless, there is also the panic that a person brings upon himself, and every person has the choice and the control to prevent himself from doing so.

Theres a clear proof ofThe Torah prohibits a person from panic and fear at a time of war. Proof that we are capable. this. The Torah prohibits a person from panic and fear at a time of war. [When an army went out to battle to defend the nation, the kohen would stand before them and say,

Hear, O Israel! You are about to go to battle with your enemy. Dont let your hearts be frail. Do not fear, nor panic,] nor be in dread of them.

Both Maimonides and the Sefer Mitzvot Gedolot count this as one of the 613 commandments of the Torah.

This appears quite astonishing. What should a person then do if nevertheless his heart leaps and he panics when he sees the blood of battle? The Torah, after all, can only command you to do something thats within your volition to choose to do or not do, as Maimonides writes in his Eight Chapters.

But this is how it works: Every persons soul is clothed within three external layers: Thought, speech and action. This is where the persons conduct takes place, and it is in these three layers that a person can exercise his free will. Every person can consciously choose what to think about, speak about or do.

Which means that even if youEven if you are terrified in your heart, you can remove your thought, speech and action from that fear. are terrified in your heart, you can remove your thought, speech and action from that fear. The main thing is not to think about it or speak about it at all, but rather about the opposite, like I said earlier. This is what it says in Likutei Amarim (Tanya), chapter 14.

So this is what it means when we are commanded, Do not let your hearts weaken etc.dont think about things that will cause fear. And thats precisely what Maimonides writes as halachah, Anyone who brings himself to panic and terror by thinking such thoughts transgresses a prohibition.

As soon as a person stops pondering these things, instantly the feeling of dread disappears. At the very least, the fear immediately fades, with no physical manifestation, as though it were sleeping. Then, within a few days, it will be completely gone, to the point that it wont fall into the mind even as an involuntary thought.

Thats what the Torah is telling you when it says, Dont allow your hearts to weaken.

How does it work? Why does fear disappear when thought is no longer engaged?

This is because all emotional responses are sustained by the awareness of the mind, which is the mental faculty called daat. The Zohar calls daatawarenessthe key to six doors, meaning that it can activate all six emotions. But this awareness only engages the emotions through active mental articulation, which serves as the intermediary between mind and emotion. Once you stop articulating these troubling thoughts in your mind, the mind is disengaged from the emotion. The emotion is no longer awake and is as though it never was.

An even greater concept is stated in the Talmud, that even natural human lust cannot be aroused without one consensually engaging his thought, and one is then culpable for his sinful desire, as Maimonides rules. This is also the implication of the Talmud in Berachot, 60a, that it is up to a person to fear or not to fear.

But the main way to remove your mind The main way to remove your mind from any troubling subject is by engaging it in other mattersfrom any troubling subject is by keeping it engaged in other matters. These could be even worldly matters that are necessities and bring happiness. And certainly in thoughts of Torah, for they rejoice the hearteach day, something particular for that day, with a fixed schedule for studying Torahespecially if you can do this with a partner.

(It could be in the revealed parts of Torah, for example in Orach Chayim, the laws of the morning blessings and reading the Shema, and prayer, and such. And in the inner Torah, in the hand-copied teachings that we have, etc.)

Another thing: Dont speak of any depressing matters, heaven forbid. On the contrary, always act joyfully, as though you are filled with joy in your hearteven though its not there in your heart at the time. Eventually it will be.

Theres reasoning behind this: When you makeWhen you consistently behave in a certain way, you eventually integrate that into your personality. it a consistent habit to behave in a certain way, you eventually integrate that into your personality. Maimonides writes this at the end of chapter one of Hilchot Deot:

And how may a man acquire these attitudes so that they are permanent with him? He should do once, repeat, and do again the things he is called upon to do in harmony with the attitudesand repeat the practice continuously until the doing it will be accomplished with slight effort, and they will not be burdensome upon him. Then will these attitudes be a fixed part of his personality.

He writes similarly in the fourth chapter of his Eight Chapters. The quote above, however, is within the context of healing the illnesses of the soul. In Sefer Hachinuch, mitzvah 16, you will find the same idea, and so too in many other places in their works.

Although none of their words require support or proof, nevertheless, there is proof according to the Kabbalah as wellin Pardes Rimonim, the Portal of Colors, chapter 1 [where he writes that a person should choose the colors of his clothes according to the disposition he wishes to channel from above]. He cites support for this from the Zohar, as well, that teaches that everything depends on the way you behave.

All this leads to one point: You need to control your thought, speech and action so as not to mull over worrisome matters that weaken the heart, and so that, on the contrary, you speak and act as a happy person. Then these dispositions will become an integral part of your personality, and once they are, so too Gd will pour His spirit upon you from above with joy and a good heart.

So I heard from my grandfather, teacher and master, may his memory be for a blessing. When we were in Pienna, on the night of his passing, I began to pray the evening prayer with a sad melody. But he stopped me from doing so.

After I had finished my prayer, he told me, So I heard from my teacherAccording to the attitude a person displays below, so he is shown from above. and master, the Magid, on the verse, As the appearance of a man upon it from above: According to the attitude a person displays below, so he is shown from above.

The appropriate thing for a person of your stature to wean yourself from all sadness. If a person can remove dread from his heart even in a situation in which there is something to dread, as I pointed out, all the more so in your case, that, thank Heaven, you have nothing to fear whatsoever, neither in terms of your bodys health nor in matters of income.

After all, there was a thread of divine kindness extended over you this past summer. And there is a well-known statement of our sages, Anyone who is favored, not so quickly etc.

Really all this is just the seduction of human urges. You need to cast it aside like any unsolicited thought, as evil mamesh. Its written, Dont stray after your hearts, etc. That means to turn your mind away from negative thoughts that are related to sins, as Maimonides writes (Hilchot Avodah Zarah, 2:3). In precisely the same way, you need to distance yourself from these pessimistic thoughts.

If, nevertheless, you wish to fulfill the mitzvah of worrying, then give it its proper place As the saying of the sages goes, Secrets of Torah are shared only with one whose heart worries within him.

What type of worry? The distance of their soul from the Light of the Infinite, may He be blessed.

And what is the answer to that worry? That which the verse tells you, This was my consolation in my povertythat Your words of Torah gave me life

Originally posted here:

Fight Your Illness by Fighting Your Fears - A letter from the Tzemach Tzedek - Chabad.org

From Proust to puzzles: The coronavirus is shifting the focus of France’s star rabbi – JTA News

Posted By on March 24, 2020

(JTA) Delphine Horvilleur, Frances most famous female rabbi, normally spends significant portions of her day analyzing the Talmud and the writings of Marcel Proust. In addition to having published several books on theology and appearing frequently in French media, she is the editor-in-chief of the prestigious Tenoua Jewish magazine.

But on Monday, the government closed all schools in France to stop the spread of the coronavirus. President Emmanuel Macron said all of France would be placed under lockdown. Anyone caught in the street without a valid reason an emergency, a doctors appointment or a letter from a place of work deemed vital risked fines, detainment and arrest. Public transportation was halted and parks were locked up.

Horvilleur, a mother of three children aged 7, 11 and 14, and her husband began spending a lot more time doing puzzles and board games.

I cook more. Its an interesting experience, Horvilleur said.

When shes not with the children, Horvilleur, 45, is busy creating an online version of activities formerly held at the synagogues involved with her Judaism in Movement group, an umbrella of liberal Jewish groups.

Activity at Horvilleurs synagogue in Paris, which draws about 350 congregants to its weekly events, stopped Sunday, along with all other houses of worship in France, where about 500,000 Jews live.

France had about 11,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus by Friday and about 370 deaths slightly more than its neighbor, Germany. In that country, the government imposed a shutdown of all non-essential commerce and public gatherings, though it has not announced a lockdown as strict as the one in France.

Separated from her parish at least physically Horvilleur is enjoying the extra time with her family.

Its a moment for reflection, she said.

Over breakfast, as she sliced bread for her children, she told them these pieces of bread are separate but together belong to the same unit, the same thing. And theres a lesson in that for us.

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From Proust to puzzles: The coronavirus is shifting the focus of France's star rabbi - JTA News

How to fulfill the Torahs commandment for optimism in the darkest times – Forward

Posted By on March 24, 2020

There is a lot of confusion and doubt in these coronavirus days. Thats especially the case within the Jewish community, where optimism has always played a large role in how we live even in the face of some of the harshest realities.

Synagogues, mikvehs, schools and yeshivas have suspended all activities, going against our natural instinct to be optimistic and soldier on in the face of adversity. Jews are naturally optimistic and for many it can be a challenge to follow instructions and concede that, yes, the situation is dire.

The Talmud tells of two sages who exemplified this trait of always having a bright outlook in life despite it not necessarily being self-evident: Rabbi Akiva and Nachum Ish-Gamzu.

In fact, Nachums last name came from a phrase he would always use: Gam zu letovah this too is for the best. He always trusted in G-d, and even when things seemed dire he believed that it would all turn out well in the end.

Rabbi Akivas phrase was, All that G-d does is for good.

While similar on the surface, it carried a different message than Nachum Ish-Gamzus saying.

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The difference between the two is that while Nachum found the silver lining in every situation, even when things did not seem good, Rabbi Akiva never even saw the bad; everything that occurred to him was always good in his eyes. Where Nachum saw good within the bad, Rabbi Akiva only saw good.

In this current situation, is it possible for either of those forms of optimism to exist, especially since we are not anything like these great sages?

People often associate optimism with denial. How can we be optimistic when reality is so clearly telling us the opposite? How can someone claim that all is well when the world is facing a raging pandemic, poised to take so many lives, G-d forbid? What right do we have to be optimistic?

Of course, we must take all the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the virus and to follow government guidelines. Dont be smarter than the experts and dont ignore their warnings. Everyone should stay home, especially older people and those that are immuno-compromised. But at the same time, we have the ability to form our own attitudes, and attitude is what leads to action.

The Jewish attitude should always be to help others. Those that are young and healthy should do whatever they can to prevent older and more vulnerable people from catching the virus. This means avoiding congregating in groups, dont go out unless it is for essentials, and wash your hands often. We should make ourselves available to help those that cannot help themselves at this time.

In addition to their risk of catching the virus due to age or vulnerability, living alone can lead to them not being up to date on the ever-evolving information coming out from the CDC and other sources. Call or text them to see how they are managing in isolation and update them on the precautions they should be taking. Offer to pick up groceries and other vital needs, and see if there is any other way you can help.

And most importantly, dont forget that you can do all this even after the virus passes. We are very good at being there for each other in times of tragedy and loss, but wouldnt it be great if we did the same even when everything was good?

Or, to use the above two sages as an example: We can and should be like Nachum Ish Gamzu, and whenever there is negativity about, find the silver lining and make the best of it.

But we should also be like Rabbi Akiva and not wait for there to be a tragedy, G-d forbid.

Our attitude should be that we must always be there for others, always be prepared to reach out and lend a hand. Gemilut chassadim acts of kindness is one of the foundations upon which the world depends, and it should not be limited to times of tragedy and pandemics.

Of course we need to be ready to help then. But we have the ability and the responsibility to make the world a good place all the time, even when everything seems just fine. Pick up the phone and call someone you havent spoken to in a while, offer to pick up medications or dry cleaners for someone who has a hard time leaving the house. Cheer someone up by dropping in for a visit, bring over a home cooked meal for Shabbat, or even for a regular Tuesday.

Know someone out of a job due to current events? Offer to help them in as dignified a way possible.

Jewish optimism means that we still believe in G-d despite all that is going on. There is uncertainty in the world, but was anything ever really certain, other than that G-d is in charge? We dont know why G-d does what He does, but we do know what He expects us to do.

We are blessed with many opportunities to help others. So if we are going to turn this pandemic into a blessing for the future, let us resolve to continue bringing out the best in ourselves and our communities every single day.

May G-d continue to bless all of humanity with health, peace, and prosperity. Today and always!

Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov is co-director, along with his wife Chanie, of Chabad of Northwest Indiana. They are proud parents of seven children, ages 2 through 16. He is also a member of Chabad.orgs Ask the Rabbi and social media teams.

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How to fulfill the Torahs commandment for optimism in the darkest times - Forward

Religions are embracing live-streaming and conference calls – Quartz

Posted By on March 24, 2020

At this years Purim service at Romemu, a progressive synagogue on New Yorks Upper West Side, a lay reader addressed an absent congregation of more than 500 remote watchers: This is where you get your graggers out, he said, looking up from the scroll. So, wherever you have them hidden in your home

On what is ordinarily one of the noisier Jewish holidays, synagogues abound with children in costumes and the rat-a-tat of graggers, noisemakers more commonly known as ratchets, drowning out the name of the villainous Haman. This year, synagogues sat mostly empty on the holiday, with some capping attendance at the door and livestreaming to a wider congregation, while others closed altogether to protect the health of congregants.

Anxious people under lockdown around the world are turning to religion for solace and distraction, forcing governing bodies to place stringent restrictions on churches, temples, and mosques alike. To fill in the gaps and provide spiritual guidance in a time of crisis, ancient religions have been forced to turn to distinctly modern technologies to hold services and communicate with the faithful.

For congregations that had embraced digital tools and live-streaming, the switch was easy. Others have struggled to translate sacred ritual into digital experienceparticularly as scripture understandably gives few clues as to what high-tech tools do, or do not, pass muster.

Sofia Abasolo, an English teacher and translator in Genoa, Italy, has had to skip Catholic mass for weeks, with churches unable to host services. On a recent Sunday, she dressed up her two sons, aged two and three, as if they were going to church, and put on a televised service, streamed live from the Vatican.

With the actual service, I was still standing and kneeling at all the times where you would do that, she said in an interview. Obviously the kids were going wild. And while live-streaming was better than nothing, she says, worshipping at distance was a struggle, not least because her elder son was left disappointed after misunderstanding live-stream for the far more exciting ice-cream.

An especially heavy weight is not being able to enter Communion, she says, and instead make do with spiritual communion, a practice recommended by the Pope only when it isnt possible to receive the sacrament. For Catholics, theres particular theological importance in attending mass in person and receiving Holy Communion, which is understood as the literal blood and body of Jesus Christ.

Worshipping from home, meanwhile, simply isnt the same as being in the church itself, she says. For Catholics, the Eucharist is there. I am with Christ physically when Im there, for me, I really feel that difference. While Abasolo recognizes the public health need to self-isolate, equally, it is a tragedy, she says.

In tweets, Pope Francis encouraged Catholics to gather together remotely, inviting them to direct their voices together toward Heaven, reciting the Our Father at noon on March 25. He issued official statements from the Vatican, meanwhile, reminding bishops and other preachers of their right to grant general absolution to the faithful, without prior individual confession, in emergencies such as these.

All over the world, priests continue to hold masses in their empty churches. Some have found ingenious solutions: In the Lombardy town of Robbiano di Giussano, local priest Don Giuseppe Corbari called upon his congregants to send him selfies. These he printed out and taped to the churchs pewschildren in the front benches, the altar boys on the altar, and all the adults in the other places, he told a local Milanese publication, Wanted in Milanso that the church was full of faces once again. (He eventually received so many pictures that the church printer ran out of toner.)

Most mosques around the world have closed, with Muslims advised to say Friday prayers at home. In Finland, however, Ramil Belyaev, an imam from the Finnish Islamic Community in Helsinki, led prayers via a Facebook Live broadcast. Ordinarily 100 people might show up in person; for the initial Friday prayer, around 60 devices tuned in, he said.

Sikh gurdwaras customarily have a langara community kitchen that serves free vegetarian meals to any visitor. In a time of social distancing, some communities have instead turned to delivering free food instead: In Melbourne, Australia, a group of Sikh volunteers are delivering meals on order to families in the city. People facing hard times due to the virus can text or call in their orders for meals such as vegetable kormas or matar mushroom, which will then be dropped off at their homes. On the sixth day of the project, volunteers delivered some 505 meals.

A similar initiative is underway in Scotland, with the Sikh Food Bank. On March 21, Scottish volunteers launched the initiative, which will deliver food parcels and essentials and provide advice and support to those in need.

Meanwhile, Jewish temples around the world have wrestled with questions of halakha, or Jewish law, including what technology is appropriate to use on the Sabbath, or how to establish a minyan of ten Jewish men older than 13 in one place, as is ordinarily compulsory for certain prayers.

In light of the unusual circumstances, some Orthodox synagogues have chosen to accept a real-time Zoom call, where participants have their cameras on, as a temporary solution or a digital minyan. How to access streams or calls on a day when many eschew technology is another question. The Rabbinical Assembly, the international association of Conservative rabbis, issued some temporary guidelines, including that the stream should be activated only by someone who was not Jewish, or done automatically ahead of time: Individuals linking to the stream should activate their equipment before Shabbat or have it activate automatically because a many-to-many video connection, such as Zoom, often requires each participant to log in, a problematic practice on Shabbat.

For the most part, synagogues have closed, though getting the message through to more isolated communities has been more of a challenge. Certain Orthodox communities in New Jersey and New York alike have resisted a ban on large gatherings, with police in Lakewood, New Jersey, called in to break up at least four weddings last week. In London, hazy government advice has led to some synagogues in Stamford Hill, in north-east London, remaining open. Only women, children and elderly and weaker men with health disabilities have been explicitly told to stay away.

Since closing its doors, the leadership team of Beth Shalom, a Conservative synagogue in Pittsburgh, has made calls to some 600 member families, telling them not to attend services. Were trying to make the best decision we can make, says Rabbi Jeremy Markiz, a rabbi at Beth Shalom, a Conservative synagogue in Pittsburgh. Going ahead, he said, loneliness and isolation are going to be our major tasks. The hardest challenge was connecting members who do not have access to a computer, he said: I dont know what the right answer is. For those particular individuals, its going to be really isolating.

Already, the synagogues leadership has set up a selection of digital programs to bring the community together. Some of these are not so different from those introduced by many workplaces suddenly thrust into a remote-only environment, including setting people up with virtual workout buddies or invigorating the somewhat underused community Slack. He is also working to bring people together for study, art projects, or Jewish ritual, often over Zoom, he said. Almost none of the programming is limited to synagogue members only. Theres a benefit of serving our people as best we can, anyway, Markiz said, and there might be other people who want to join us while were doing these projects.

These efforts build upon projects and initiatives the synagogue had already begun to put in place before the crisis, including a Monday morning Talmud class Markiz has live-streamed for the past two years. Weve been developing the tools and resources for exactly a moment like this, he said. We are a very nimble place and we have adapted as quickly as we could.

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Religions are embracing live-streaming and conference calls - Quartz

WATCH IT DESPICABLE ANTI-SEMITISM: Hasidic Jew Denied Service At Toyota YOU ARE SPREADING THE VIRUS – Yeshiva World News

Posted By on March 24, 2020

Once again, as has happened throughout our history when there have been pandemics, Jews have been blamed for it. We knew it would only be a matter of time, but it happened, and thanks to this brave man, it was captured on video.

A Hasidic man had an appointment on Monday morning to service hsi vehicle at Toyota in Goshen, NY, But instead of being serviced like the rest of the customers, he was told to leave because he was spreading the virus.

The man says that he called Johnstons Toyota if he can bring his vehicle in for maintenance. He was told it was not a problem, as they are open. He was given an appointment for 9:30AM. The Hasidic man arrived and pulled into the garage. A minute later, he was told by an employee to leave as they are closed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The man was suspicious, and pulled away and watched as one vehicle after the next was allowed into the business for service. He began video-recording the vehicles going in after being told they had closed. He the called Toyota dealership again and said I missed my appointment, is there any time slot still available for today? Toyota told him sure, come at 10:15 this morning.

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He pulled in again, and a female employe told him to leave. He got out of his car and approached a male employee possibly a manager and questioned him why he was not being serviced. The manager simply responded you are spreading the virusyou gotta go buddy The man then saw he was being filmed, refused to answer any questions, and quickly walked away.

Say hello to anti-Semitism 2020.

WATCH THE VIDEOS BELOW

(YWN World Headquarters NYC)

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WATCH IT DESPICABLE ANTI-SEMITISM: Hasidic Jew Denied Service At Toyota YOU ARE SPREADING THE VIRUS - Yeshiva World News


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