COPING WITH CORONA IN KARMIEL, GALILEE

It is said that a writer's duty is to 'bear witness'. The same may be observed of all art, be it penned, visual or aural, so it is no surprise that for many people, the biblical psalms are an intense part of the mental landscape that enriches their lives. Their spiritual value aside, the verses attributed to King David evoke the terrain of the countryside as he would have known it while a shepherd boy. I consider this, not only on learning of the vast amount of fine new writing triggered by Corona but also being aware that today, Sunday 10 May sees the opening of the 'digital edition' of the four-day Jerusalem Writers' Festival. As I wish those taking part every success, I hope  both celebrity speakers and audience will not miss the chance to discuss how the pandemic is affecting them and the best way they may offer their testimony to future generations. Those following the progress of this  'Coping with Corona' project may ask how

UK Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis has offered warm support to those of his community who have refrained from holding family celebrations due to the continuing Coronavirus lockdown regulations. In a video message "for those who should have had simchas (celebrations) at this time!", Rabbi Mirvis based his remarks on the current week's Torah reading and many viewers may interpret his words as criticism of those ultra Orthodox groups and individuals who have defied official regulations during Coronavirus lockdown. Below is the full transcript. "When can the performance of a great mitzvah bring our people into disrepute? The Torah, in Parshat Emor, gives us the mitzvah: ‘ vlo techalelu et sheim kodshei – you must not desecrate my holy name’. Here Hashem is telling us that none of our deeds should, God forbid, give a bad name to Hashem, to our Torah or to our people. Then the Torah continues with a second mitzvah , ‘ Vnictashti b’toch bnei Yisrael – and

I n barely three months of Coronavirus -forced worship via Facebook and Zoom it's clear that the era of virtual prayer has most precociously come of age. Tomorrow evening Friday 08 May,  for example, members of  Kehilat Hakerem Congregation, Karmiel may choose to join one of two Sabbath eve services in Jerusalem, surely dismissing the unused alternative as 'the one I don't go to'. But as the health news brightens and the Israeli authorities begin cautious preparations to lift the stiffest restrictions, perhaps it is time to discuss the virtual and actual treats being provided for the ever-culture-hungry public. At the depths of the crisis, those with no immediate work and education schedules were happy to 'binge-watch'  movies, plays, musicals and television shows round the clock. But a universal thirst for knowledge and high quality entertainment was  also slaked by a wide range of  generous charitable and commercial enterprises.

Magen David Adom , Israel's  'first responder' emergency service continues, with the Ministry of Health , to be in the vanguard of the state' s valiantly successful  fight against  Coronavirus . Yesterday, MDA announced via Facebook that more than 20,000 citizens had been tested for the virus while seated in their own vehicles during two round-the-clock shifts at its "test and travel" complex  in Tel Aviv.  This approach has also allowed many thousands of other citizens to be checked throughout the country each day. The first, and largest testing centre was set up in Ganei Yehoshua, Tel Aviv under the management of Mickey Segal , Deputy Director of the MDA. "About two months ago, when we were just setting up the complex, I didn't think we would reach more than twenty thousand people", said Segal.  "However, from the first moment, it was clear to us that the scope of the work would be wide and we needed to comple

Last night's official  statements from the  Prime Minister's Office and the Health Ministry   announced a full return to normal life from  Coronavirus  restrictions as of  Sunday 14 June .   WATCH: Israeli doctors, nurses dance with joy as corona wards close This relaxation, if there are no hiccoughs caused by an unexpected return of the virus, will mark exactly three months since the toughest rules were imposed. Further, I write this as the early May weather has reverted to being unusually cool and stormy and it seems unlikely that many citizens - no matter how restless - will make an immediate dash to the beaches, national parks, nature reserves and heritage sites as outlined by the linked news report. Meanwhile, Israeli hospital medical staff are showing their relief: dedicated Corona wards have been closed in several hospitals and some masked - therefore semi-disguised people - have been caught on a video clip (that I cannot verify as genuine) literally danci

The title of this blog update comes from  To Althea, from Prison by the English 17th century Cavalier poet, Richard Lovelace .  He lived at a time when the country was plagued by both physical pestilence and the Civil War between King Charles I's supporters and the republican Puritans. What words could be more appropriate, I wonder, as  today marks the 51st since the  moadon  - clubhouse -  of the  Karmiel English Speakers' Club  was formally shut late morning on Sunday 15 March. I pen this piece as the Israel Government  announces a further easing of lockdown restrictions and the Karmiel Municipality prepares to start a staged reopening of local educational facilities. Even last week, parts of the downtown BIG shopping centre were reopened along with suburban hairdressers and beauty parlours, while today -  officially sanctioned or not -  customers were seated outdoors at a cafe adjacent to the KESC premises. But the images above of the notice of the cl

MDA and IDF Throw Beam of Light on Corona In Jerusalem, there is a special station where Corona specimens are tested. The station, which was developed by the IDF and Magen David Adom, is intended to perform sampling on civilians when they arrive on foot, and without the need for a private vehicle.  The "beam of light" station can move from place to place and, thanks to its structure, may maintain order and distance between people. The station has been operated by MDA paramedics with the technical aspect being entrusted to the IDF's land-based technology division. ©CoronaFizz (03 May 2020) ENGLISH SPANISH ARABIC In Jerus alem, there is a special station where Corona specimens are tested. The station, which was developed by the IDF and Magen David Adom, is intended to perform sampling oncivilians