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PHILISSA CRAMER
Yair Bernstein has been posting jokes for his Chicago neighbors throughout the pandemic quarantine. (Courtesy of Bernstein/ via JTA)
June 5, 2020, 3:54 am
Israeli’s daily ‘dad jokes’ make Chicagoans laugh during dark times
Yair Bernstein wants to spread smiles, and his pandemic humor has really caught on among people sick of isolation
By PHILISSA CRAMER
Barriers called bollards in front of Chabad of Sherman Oaks installed last year are meant to prevent ramming attacks; they have been emptied of stones after rumors that they were intended to aid antifa riots. (Screenshot/ Facebook)
June 4, 2020, 12:23 pm
White House tweets rumor that an LA Chabad house is fueling antifa
Presidential social media account briefly posts, then deletes, misinformation that security barriers filled with rocks were meant to help rioters; 6,200 people ‘like’ it in an hour
By PHILISSA CRAMER and Ben Sales
A US demonstrator wears a face mask during a protest over the death of George Floyd, May 31, 2020, near the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
June 1, 2020, 5:28 am
‘We stand in solidarity’: What Jewish orgs are saying about George Floyd’s death
Many groups express solidarity with black community and the protests, condemn police brutality and systemic racism
By PHILISSA CRAMER
A member of the New Jersey National Guard directs traffic at the entrance to a drive-thru COVID-19 testing center in Paramus, N.J., Friday, March 20, 2020. The facility opened Friday in Bergen County which has been the state's hardest-hit area. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
May 25, 2020, 2:19 am
Services to resume in NJ county where rabbis were first to end communal prayer
Bergen County Rabbinical Association says it expects outdoor prayer quorums to be possible starting June 4, but ‘minyan hopping’ will be banned
By PHILISSA CRAMER
A man stops to read an announcement at Congregation Divrei Yoel in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, Tuesday, April 7, 2020 in New York. The synagogue is closed to gatherings due to the coronavirus. (AP/Mark Lennihan)
May 23, 2020, 5:55 am
US synagogues demur as Trump demands states let houses of worship reopen
Many Jewish leaders reject president’s entreaty as evidence shows group prayer conducive to outbreaks; debate over how to resume services divides some observant communities
By Josefin Dolsten and PHILISSA CRAMER
Illustrative: Rabbi Mayer Zarchi, left, shakes hands with Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker prior to the ceremonial lighting of a Hanukkah menorah at the Massachusetts State House in Boston on December 23, 2019. (Nic Antaya for The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
May 20, 2020, 6:21 pm
Massachusetts rabbis: Synagogues should not rush to reopen
With state order allowing places of worship to resume services, rabbinical body urges caution both among government officials and Jewish congregations
By PHILISSA CRAMER
A Hasidic man prays on his balcony in a Brooklyn neighborhood on April 25, 2020 in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images via JTA)
May 18, 2020, 7:57 am
New York may allow limited religious services by Shavuot, says Cuomo
Governor says guidance will be released this week and services would be limited in size, require social distancing
By PHILISSA CRAMER
New York City is making free meals available across the city. Some sites will now offer kosher options. (Rob Kim/Getty Images, via JTA)
April 23, 2020, 11:14 am
Kosher meals now available as part of New York City’s hunger relief efforts
New Yorkers have picked up 4.5 million free meals since COVID-19 crisis began
By PHILISSA CRAMER
Mark Cuban at Dallas Mavericks game at Madison Square Garden in New York, Nov. 14, 2019. (Mike Stobe/Getty Images via JTA)
April 9, 2020, 1:19 am
So Bernie won’t be the first Jewish president — here are 10 people who could be
With Sanders officially out of the running, a look at politicians and influential figures who could some day make a bid for the top US job
By PHILISSA CRAMER, Gabe Friedman and Ron Kampeas
Sudeep Agarwala is a yeast scientist and challah enthusiast whose guidance for home bakers has taken off online. (Courtesy of Agarwala/ via JTA)
April 2, 2020, 4:15 pm
Challah-tinkering yeast scientist helps pandemic bread bakers get a good rise
Hindu-raised Sudeep Agarwala has made the traditional braided loaves for his Jewish husband for 10 years. Now that there’s a shortage of leaven, he knows just how to help
By PHILISSA CRAMER
Followers of the Chabad movement dance on March 14, 2020, days before 770 Eastern Parkway's closure because of the coronavirus. (Youtube screenshot)
March 18, 2020, 8:30 pm
Coronavirus shutters 770 Eastern Parkway, HQ of Chabad, for first time ever
Celebration on Saturday night drew 100 followers, but then it became clear that Crown Heights was emerging as an NYC virus hotspot
By PHILISSA CRAMER
Illustrative: Jewish Agency head Isaac Herzog, center, at an event at Ben Gurion Airport to welcome some 300 new immigrants from France on a special flight organized by the Jewish Agency, July 23, 2018. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)
March 13, 2020, 8:27 pm
Jewish Agency sending teen emissaries home to Israel from US, and to quarantine
150 ‘shinshinim,’ working in the US during pre-army gap year and living with local Jews, prepare to head back
By PHILISSA CRAMER
Illustrative: People wearing face masks at the Ben Gurion International Airport on March 10, 2020. (Avshalom Sassoni/ Flash90)
March 12, 2020, 5:59 am
2,000 Israeli national service women to return from overseas amid virus outbreak
As alternative to serving in military, many post-high school Orthodox girls perform civic duties, including working with Jewish schools abroad; move taken to ensure their safety
By PHILISSA CRAMER and Ben Harris
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren speaks with members of the media after a Democratic presidential primary debate, Feb. 25, 2020, in Charleston, South Carolina. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
February 29, 2020, 3:50 am
Hundreds of US Jews sign public declaration of support for Elizabeth Warren
Letter marks latest bid to sway Jewish voters in the Democratic party primaries; signatories include prominent rabbis, community leaders
By PHILISSA CRAMER
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, speaks at the 2019 American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) policy conference, at Washington Convention Center, in Washington, Monday, March 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
February 25, 2020, 2:37 am
AIPAC shows off bipartisan support after being slighted by Sanders
Pro-Israel lobby says Democrats Chuck Schumer and Hakkem Jeffries to speak an annual policy conference next week, even if leading contender for presidential nod is not
By PHILISSA CRAMER
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