On March 11th, 2020 the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic, affecting an exceptionally high proportion of the population over a wide geographic area. This declaration signaled that the original goal of containment to affected areas has now shifted to slowing down the spread of the disease in order to ease the burden on overstretched healthcare institutions.
Author: David Freidenreich (Page 19 of 22)
COVID-19 is changing the way the world interacts and the church is not immune to those changes. Amid social distancing and shelter in place orders, many churches have either canceled worship or moved to a virtual form of worship. Pastors and sessions are looking for creative ways to be the church in a quickly changing landscape.… Read the rest
The following material is an extract from a message posted to the Utah Diné Bikeyah (Navajo) mailing list, circulated prior to March 17.
- Prayer: “The earth probably needs us talking to it right now,” says Jonah Yellowman (Diné), UDB’s Spiritual Advisor.
Dear Friends,
Whenever faced with a personal or national crisis, it is my custom to go “back to the sources” for comfort and inspiration. Allow me to share with you a number of biblical and rabbinic insights about the current crisis.… Read the rest
[undated, before March 17]
Salaamun Alaykum!
From the Resident Alim’s Desk
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Stay Calm & Be Smart
I pray this message reaches all of you in the best of health and spirits. We are currently undergoing some very difficult times and are facing unprecedented uncertainties due to the Coronavirus; and so I felt a duty to send a message to the entire community to ensure that we are following the prescriptions that Islam has set out for us; and in-sha Allah together we can overcome these tests.
… Read the rest
Please find below a letter from Rabbi Elliot Dorff, CJLS Chair, and Rabbi Pamela Barmash, CJLS Co-Chair, providing guidance for communities affected by COVID-19. Thanks to Rabbis Joshua Heller, Daniel Nevins, and Avram Reisner for contributing to earlier drafts and the CJLS as a whole for giving input.… Read the rest
Our dear community members,
We are all aware of the enormous strain on businesses during these times. We direct your attention specifically to our caterers, restaurants and food providers such as our kosher supermarkets. Their “sit down” business has been reduced to zero with the cancellation of events and mandatory reductions in or elimination of public events.… Read the rest
Dear Members and Friends of the Westwood Village Synagogue,
We wanted to reach out to you again regarding the status of community efforts to combat the coronavirus outbreak, and to detail ways in which you can be a part of this effort.… Read the rest
The victims of Coronavirus pandemic are multiplying exponentially. Mosques, schools, restaurants and many other public places are being closed. The state authorities are considering complete lockdowns. The prospects are really terrifying. This pandemic may not be over by summer. We need to beseech Allah’s forgiveness, protection and mercy.… Read the rest
The World Health Organization on Wednesday declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. The NBA has suspended its season. President Trump has suspended travel from 26 European countries to US and declared a state of emergency in America. This devastating pandemic is spreading like a bush fire and affecting lives of millions.… Read the rest
