O pinion
KVETCH ’N’ KVELL
Unity Is the Answer for
My Haredi Israeli Town
BY CAROL UNGAR
LATELY, THE MEDIA has
been flooded with stories of
Orthodox Jews who are derelict
in following pandemic proto-
cols. This sort of behavior runs
contrary to the Torah values
which command us to protect
life above all else.

In my home community of
Kiryat Yearim, a small haredi
Orthodox town of 6,000 just 15
minutes outside of Jerusalem,
we take COVID-19 seriously.

Our local government
dispatched a hazmat-suited
crew to clean our streets and
parks. They set up testing and
contact tracing. They also
embarked on a public relations
drive to urge us to take this
seriously. People listened. It wasn’t
long before the media hailed
our triumph.

While there have been some
close calls since, including
several confirmed cases in the
past week, my only explanation
for how we have been largely
able to beat back this virus
when others have not is unity.

Here, our rabbis, doctors and
local government officials are
all on the same page.

Now, the virus is back in our
country with a vengeance. Like
most Israelis, we are tired of
living this way, but we realize
that we have no choice. The
Torah, which informs all areas
RBG Chose Burial
shade. They now have Torah
scrolls, borrowed from the
shuttered indoor congrega-
tions, and improvised arks to
store them in.

We have adapted, limiting
the number of men called to
the Torah in the name of social
distancing. This Sukkot, our
synagogues will pare down
the hakafot, the ritual circling
ceremony, to the bare basics,
transforming the usually festive
parade into a socially distanced
procession of worshipers. A
few congregations will skip the
whole thing, having the men
recite the verses that accom-
pany the ceremony while
standing still. We received a
robocall informing us that on
Simchat Torah, there should
be no dancing and no kissing
Torah scrolls. And of course,
we must wear masks and keep
social distance.

Simchat Torah is just
MUCH HAS ALREADY BEEN SAID about Justice Ruth Bader
Ginsburg, and much more will be said in the days — indeed,
years — to come (“Jewish Philadelphia Remembers Iconic Jurist
Ruth Bader Ginsburg,” Sept. 24). She has earned her place as a
political and cultural icon.

For Jews, she was the very face of Jewish liberalism. For that
reason, it is noteworthy that Ginsburg, with all her progressive
ideals, chose to be buried, rather than cremated.

Although it is a biblical mitzvah to be buried, we find that
growing numbers of Jews, particularly liberal Jews, choose
cremation, believing it to be somehow more “progressive” than
traditional burial. But there is a difference between true liber-
alism and mere fashion, and we can be certain that a mind as
reasoned as Ginsburg’s discerned that difference.

The decisions she authored impact every American, but it is
Ginsburg’s final decision that Jews — across the political spectrum
— should take to heart when considering their own plans.

Ginsburg was a liberal icon, but she was also Yita Rochel bat
Tzirel Leah. She was born a Jew, she died a Jew, and she chose
burial, because that’s what Jews do.

Rabbi Elchonon Zohn | National Association of Chevra Kadisha
Not a Good Comparison
In discussing some people’s discomfort with Ruth Bader
Ginsburg z”l lying in state and in repose before her burial, Rabbi
Lisa Silverstein (“There’s No Singular Jewish Way to Mourn or
Grieve,” Oct. 1) points to the halachic precedent, places in Jewish
law, where delayed burial is permitted. I do not believe there is
similar leniency for cremation and, therefore, she made an unfair
comparison. Shiva rituals may differ depending on one’s custom, but it’s
simply not at all the Jewish way to cremate. Instead of holding
In my home community of Kiryat Yearim, a small haredi Orthodox town of
onto years-old guilt when she persuaded a family to bury rather
6,000 just 15 minutes outside of Jerusalem, we take COVID-19 seriously. than cremate their loved one, I hope Silverstein will consider that
she did a good thing.

While it is sad and emotional, shoveling scoops of earth on
top of our loved ones in the cemetery is one of the most Jewish
Come for a walk. You will of our existence instructs us to a day away, and it will look things a person can do. To deny that to any Jew is a tremendous
see men, women, even small take great care in preserving very different. Plans aren’t yet loss and disconnect from our peoplehood. May we know no
children wearing masks over our lives. “We err on the side complete, but one local rabbi more sorrow and live biz hundred un tzvantzik (until 120). l
their noses and mouths.

of strictness,” says our Mayor I spoke to floated the idea of
Rachel Steinerman | Bala Cynwyd
In our town, COVID-19 hit Rabbi Yitzhak Ravitz.

no procession, just one man
us early and hard.

Now we have been forced to carrying the Torah scroll.

STATEMENT FROM THE PUBLISHER
Back in March, we experi- increase our vigilance.

One thing is for sure — the
We are a diverse community. The views expressed in the signed opinion columns and let-
ters to the editor published in the Jewish Exponent are those of the authors. They do
enced an outbreak after a Purim
Even though we are in the traditional kiddush, the after
not necessarily reflect the views of the officers and boards of the Jewish Publishing
party attended by an overseas middle of the Sukkot holiday, services collective snack of
Group, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia or the Jewish Exponent. Send
guest who had the virus. A few every synagogue in town is cake and Schnapps, is canceled.

letters to letters@jewishexponent.com or fax to 215-569-3389. Letters should be a
maximum of 200 words and may be edited for clarity and brevity. Unsigned letters will not be
dozen residents got sick and shuttered. Worship services
All of this puts a damper on
published. thousands went into quaran- have moved to parks, parking this holiday, which is meant to
tine. No one died, but one lots and backyards.

be a time of joy. With inter-
woman, a much-beloved old
Because this is our second city visits banned due to the
timer, nearly lost her life. Thank town-wide lockdown, the lockdown, not much social-
G-d, after many months, she’s outdoor shuls are now well izing is going on for many of us.

Tell us what you’re thinking and interact
almost completely recovered. organized. Some of them even The only guests in our Sukkot
with the community at jewishexponent.com
For a brief moment, our sleepy have names (Ginat HaBitan, or are the metaphysical ushpizin,
Connect with us on
town achieved public notoriety the Garden Lean-to, and Ginat our Jewish matriarchs and
as the COVID capital of the Esther, Esther’s Garden). They
See Ungar, Page 29
Jewish state.

also have erected awnings for
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