Collecting These Times

Items

The items below are from collecting projects that have partnered with RRCHNM or given permission to index their collections. You can see even more items that have been collected during the pandemic by browsing the websites of specific collecting projects.

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  Summer 2021 Getaways: Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center

  Unfortunately, we have had to cancel the planned Getaways program, scheduled for August 8th. We hope that you will join us for our fall holiday retreats: Rosh Hashanah and Sukkahfest. COVID has presented many challenges that ripple farther than the virus itself. As you may know, the food and hospitality industries have suffered, in particular, as employees have made permanent job changes in response to the virus. Because of these systemic industry changes, we have been unable to staff the retreat center for the getaways retreat in a way that would provide the right guest experience for our guests. In taking this week off, we are ensuring that our staff will be refreshed for our other upcoming retreats.
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  COVID-19 Communicable Disease Policy (CDP): Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center

  Introduction This document sets forth the policies of the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center (“Isabella Freedman”) for complying with the Connecticut State Reopening Rules. The policies in this document are in effect as of March 19th, 2021 and reflect all the current Connecticut state guidelines and Hazon/Isabella Freedman’s policies for reopening. Hazon will continue to monitor developments surrounding COVID-19 in Connecticut and make adjustments as appropriate, including for any changes in legal guidance. All references to “guests” in this CDP shall include participants in the “Isabella Freedman Getaways” program, participants in the Adamah Fellowship and individuals, families and groups that rent accommodations at Isabella Freedman. All references to “employees” in this CDP shall include all part-time and full-time employees of Hazon, as well as volunteers and independent contractors who are working at Isabella Freedman. General Polices Screening for COVID-19 All individuals arriving at the retreat center for the first time will undergo COVID-19 screening as part of the check-in/orientation process, which will take place before these individuals are permitted to access their residence. This screening will be administered by the Retreat Manager on duty. This screening will involve: Temperature Checks Questionnaires regarding recent COVID-19 symptoms or exposure to COVID-19. The questionnaire will, at a minimum, ask whether, within the preceding 14 days, the individual or any of his or her co-habitants have: exhibited any COVID-19 symptoms; or been exposed to confirmed or presumed cases of COVID-19. PLEASE NOTE that individuals who demonstrate symptoms of COVID-19, who were recently exposed to confirmed or presumed cases of COVID-19, or who recently traveled to active COVID-19 hot spots will not be permitted to stay at Isabella Freedman until they complete a 14-day quarantine following the instance of symptoms or exposure. Each guest, including children must affirm that they have either a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival, a COVID-19 vaccine completed at least two weeks before arrival, or recovered from COVID-19 within three months of arrival. If you have had only 1 shot of a vaccine you are still required to get tested. These guidelines have been recommended by the CDC and our consulting medical professionals. Throughout their time at Isabella Freedman, employees and guests are expected to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. In the event that an employee or guest suspects that he/she/they may be exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, this individual should report immediately to their supervisor or the Retreat Manager on duty, respectively. Social Distancing and Hygiene Employees and guests are required to spread out to maintain appropriate social distancing (i.e., a minimum of 6 feet of space between individuals who are not in the same group) at all times while at Isabella Freedman, including while performing tasks or participating in activities. This requirement should be followed at all times, but is especially important in indoor spaces. For the purposes of social distancing, being in a “group” applies only to guests who are sharing a residence at Isabella Freedman. Employees are never considered to be in a group, and are required to maintain a minimum of 6 feet of distance between themselves and all other people, including other employees who perform the same tasks or work in the same designated area, whenever possible. Employees and guests are required to wear masks at all times when they are indoors and outdoors, less than 6’ of distance in the company of other individuals who are not in their group. This requirement applies regardless of whether social distancing is also being observed. Guests can remove their masks while eating in indoor dining areas, but only when seated at their table and only during the course of eating. No guest or employee is required to wear a mask if doing so would be contrary to his or her safety because of a medical condition. Such guests and employees are encouraged to discuss alternative arrangements with Isabella Freedman to help ensure their safety while on campus. All used disposable masks should be disposed of immediately following use by employees. Employees using reusable masks, such as cloth masks, should wash them properly (i.e. based on CDC guidance for washing close face coverings) and daily. Isabella Freedman will supply all of its employees with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (“PPE”), including masks, required for the performance of their job duties. Guests are required to bring a sufficient amount of PPE, including multiple masks and/or appropriate face coverings, to cover their entire stay at Isabella Freedman. Employees and guests should be conscious to avoid touching their masks and/or faces at all times. Employees and guests should wash their hands properly (i.e., in accordance with CDC guidelines, which require hand washing to take at least 20 seconds) and frequently. Handwashing and/or hand sanitizer stations will be placed throughout the retreat center, including in the following locations: Near and around all dining service areas, eating areas and restrooms; Entrances of any indoor public space that has been approved for guest use; and All offices and staff restrooms. Employees and guests should refrain from traditional contact-based forms of greeting (e.g., no handshakes) with other individuals. Training and Orientation Employees and guests will be trained on social distancing guidelines, the proper use of PPE, and proper hygiene and disinfecting techniques for preventing the spread of COVID-19 as part of their orientation. Employees and guests are required to comply with these trainings at all times. Training will also cover the uncertainties surrounding antibodies, and make clear that Isabella Freedman policies must be followed regardless of the results of antibody testing. Employees who perform specific tasks for which additional training is necessary will be required to receive and comply with those trainings. Housekeeping staff will receive specific training relating to deep cleaning and sanitization to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These trainings will follow applicable guidelines (e.g., from the CDC). Food service staff will receive specific training relating to the PPE and hygiene practices that must be followed in the food service industry to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Isabella Freedman has posted signs throughout the campus to remind employees and guests of best practices and ensure compliance with these practices. As part of their training or orientation, respectively, employees and guests will be provided with a copy of these guidelines. Guests will also be provided with an electronic version of these guidelines before they travel to the retreat center. PLEASE NOTE that after being given an opportunity to review these guidelines, guests will be required to electronically sign a COVID-19 waiver through which they acknowledge Isabella Freedman’s efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, agree to comply with all applicable rules, and expressly assume the risk of contracting COVID-19 while participating in a retreat. Guests are required to sign this waiver before travelling to the retreat center. Guests who do not wish to sign the waiver will not be permitted to come to or remain on campus. Closures and Activity Limitations The following locations will be closed and/or off-limits to guests and employees (other than those required to visit these locations as part of their job duties) during the COVID-19 pandemic due to safety concerns: Staff offices Arts & Crafts building Main building Except for the Great Hall and Dining Hall, each of which will remain open at a maximum of 75% its normal capacity for dining purposes only. Library Except that the library will be used for additional dining space, in the event that there is a need for such additional space given the capacity restrictions and layout changes in the Dining Hall. Yurts: The beige yurt will be open for programming. Guests must be accompanied by a staff member at all times while using the space. Farm locations, including: Greenhouses Barns Produce washing and preparation areas PLEASE NOTE that many of these areas where the farm employees need to work will be off-limits for guests at this time due to concerns over the farm employees’ health and safety. Isabella Freedman is currently considering ways in which guests can learn about the farm safely and without endangering employees, and will communicate with guests about those opportunities separately should they arise. Any residence other than your assigned residence Any other space that is indicated as off-limits by signs that say “Staff Only.” The following locations will be open, subject to the following limitations: Dining Hall, Library, Synagogue & Great Hall The Dining Hall and Library will remain open at a maximum of 50% its normal capacity. Seating will be rearranged to facilitate social distancing between members of different groups. Housekeeping staff will thoroughly clean and disinfect the Dining Hall, Library, Beige Yurt, Great Hall, public restrooms, and outdoor dining tent between meals. Social distancing between members of different groups must be followed at all times. Lake If the lake is fully unfrozen, boating will be allowed. Hiking Trails Guests and employees using the hiking trails are required to maintain the appropriate distance at all times. Masks should be brought on hikes, and must be worn in any instances where social distancing cannot be practiced. Residential Considerations Guests and employees are not permitted into any residential buildings or residences other than those to which they have been assigned. PLEASE NOTE that housekeeping services may be available during your stay upon request, but that housekeepers will not be permitted to enter your residence during your stay. To ensure guest and employee safety, Isabella Freedman will not place any new guests or employees in a residence until 24 hours have passed since the previous occupant has checked out. During this time, housekeeping staff will perform a deep cleaning of the residence to prepare the space for the new occupant. Dining Considerations As stated above, if indoor dining is needed, the Dining Hall will remain open at reduced capacity (not to exceed 50% of maximum capacity). Should additional indoor dining space be required to safely accommodate guests and employees, the Library can be utilized as overflow dining space. The layout of all dining areas will be rearranged to facilitate proper social distancing. Guests and employees are required to follow social distancing guidelines during all meals, and are not allowed to rearrange the layout of any dining area in contravention of these rules. Isabella Freedman will be placing social distancing markers in the food service area to direct one-way traffic and ensure that employees and guests follow social distancing guidelines. Employees and guests are required to comply with social distancing markers and one-way traffic requirements. Food service employees will be required to wear appropriate PPE, which includes both masks and gloves, at all times during the preparation and serving of meals. To the extent possible, the food provided by Isabella Freedman will be individually packaged, single-serve items. Guests and employees are required to observe the best hygiene practices outlined below for all meals. In particular, guests and employees are required to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds both before and after meals. Trained housekeeping staff will be responsible for cleaning after meals, which will include sanitizing the dining areas between each meal and between employee and guest dining shifts. Plans for Infected Individuals Employees and guests are required to promptly inform their supervisor or the Retreat Manager on duty, respectively, as soon as possible if they begin exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. The supervisor or the Retreat Manager on duty should immediately: Inform the appropriate members of Isabella Freedman management of the potentially positive case. Have the symptomatic person list all areas of the Isabella Freedman campus that they visited in the last 14 days. Have the symptomatic person list all individuals with whom he or she was in close contact over the last 14 days. Inform all listed individuals of their potential exposure without disclosing personally identifiable information of the symptomatic person, and recommend that these individuals take additional precautions (e.g., use of mask and gloves at all times, avoiding participation in unnecessary activities) and self-monitor for symptoms for a period of 14 days. The supervisor or Retreat Manager on duty should also ask the symptomatic person to consider community/family members with whom they were in close contact over the last 14 days and suggest that they inform those people of their potential exposure. If the symptomatic person is an employee, temporarily close the employee’s work area(s) until a deep cleaning can be performed. Coordinate with housekeeping staff to perform a deep cleaning of the symptomatic person’s residence, work area(s), and any other affected areas which the symptomatic person visited in the last 14 days. Housekeeping staff should dispose of any PPE used by the symptomatic person. The symptomatic person should be sent home as soon as possible. In the event that the person’s symptoms make it difficult for them to operate their personal vehicle, their supervisor or the Retreat Manager on duty should arrange for the necessary transportation services to get the symptomatic person home. The symptomatic person should be made aware of this option regardless of the severity of their symptoms. The symptomatic person should self-quarantine at home for a period of 14 days, or until they are able to obtain negative COVID-19 test results. In any event, the symptomatic person will not be able to return to the Isabella Freedman campus until they are able to obtain negative test results. The supervisor or Retreat Manager on duty should remain in contact with the symptomatic person during their self-quarantine and periodically check on their health. Isabella Freedman should inform all guests and employees staying on campus, as well as those who were on campus in the previous 14 days, of the potential positive case of COVID-19 without disclosing personally identifiable information of the symptomatic person, and should reemphasize the need for all employees and guests to comply with Isabella Freedman’s COVID-19 policies. Isabella Freedman should also inform guests and employees when the cleaning procedures have been completed and areas are reopened. In the event that multiple individuals report symptoms or a COVID-19 outbreak is suspected: All non-essential employees and guests will be sent home immediately. They will be encouraged to take the additional precautions outlined above for potentially exposed individuals and to self-monitor for symptoms. Anyone who has had close contact with someone with COVID-19 should stay home for 14 days after their last exposure to that person. The best way to protect yourself and others is to stay home for 14 days if you think you’ve been exposed to someone who has COVID-19. Check your local health department’s website for information about options in your area to possibly shorten this quarantine period. However, anyone who has had close contact with someone with COVID-19 and who meets the following criteria does NOT need to stay home. Someone who has been fully vaccinated and shows no symptoms of COVID-19 Or: Someone who has COVID-19 illness within the previous 3 months and Has recovered and remains without COVID-19 symptoms (for example, cough, shortness of breath)” The Isabella Freedman campus will be closed to the public until a thorough deep cleaning of the entire campus can be completed.
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  Hakhel 2021 E-Summit

  Hakhel 2021 E-Summit 7th Global Intentional Communities e-Summit The Hakhel e-Summit will be the place where our network comes alive, ideas are exchanged, and networks are built. The e-Summit will ignite our global network, allowing expertise in community-building and related disciplines to flow through, and awakening us to our larger, common purpose so that we return to our home communities confident, engaged, and energized. We will run for 24 hours without stopping in order to hit all the time zones that our communities hail from across 5 continents. The e-Summit will kick off with Havdalah on Saturday night, May 1st, after which the clock starts ticking! Each session will be an hour in length for 24 sessions in total, organized into three mini-conferences: The Power of the Jewish Social Network. Promoting Togetherness and Connection in Challenging Times. The Job Market and Young Adults after COVID-19. These topics will be tackled through plenaries, workshops, interactive networking opportunities — with the last hour in every block for eating, socializing, and entertainment, so you will get to know your fellow community-builders while you fuel your body and mind! Below please find the master schedule of events. Following that, you will find links to the schedule broken down by time zone so you can see which sessions would be most convenient for you (though feel free to participate at any hour!)
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  Adamah at Home

  Adamah at Home Our next cohort will be March 1st- March 19th, 2021. Applications due by February 26th. Green Teams and Hazon Seal sites are especially encouraged to apply for this cohort! *This virtual cohort is in partnership with Hazon’s Seal of Sustainability, with additional sessions specifically for Seal Sites! Gain knowledge, skills and support to make your food, garden and environmental programs come to life! Adamah at Home is a 3-week program to build food skills, ecological connection, and Jewish community. Open to ages 18+ who can commit to 12-15 hours a week of live video learning and connection. We will support students in getting their hands dirty: growing food on balconies or in backyards, preparing/preserving food in the kitchen, and exploring their local food system. We are offering this program at a sliding scale. Applications are due by February 26th, or until 25 spots are filled. White supremacy and other systems of power disproportionately impact accessibility to programs like these for People of Color. We deeply value the leadership and participation of People of Color, and we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Frequently Asked Questions Is this program right for me? Join us if you are looking to learn about: Judaism in general Adamah’s particular blend of spiritual, ecological and justice oriented Judaism. Farming and sustainability skills Economic, political, and social factors that influence how we eat The wider network of Jewish community farms, food projects, spiritual leaders and educators. Why an online program? Our hope for Adamah at Home is to offer a program that will allow participants to truly integrate our teachings into the place you call Home. We teach skills and offer experiences that help you connect to yourself, the land, community and Judaism wherever you are. Conversing over the internet is both a gift and a challenge. We will be able to include many individuals who wouldn’t otherwise be able to make the trek to our location in northwest Connecticut. The virtual program is not a replacement for an in-person experience in community on our farm. How is it different from the Adamah Fellowship? Adamah at Home is a way to give people access to more of what we teach in the residential, in-person Adamah Fellowship. While Adamah at Home is not a virtual version of the fellowship program we usually run, it is a way for us to continue to connect with and teach people, while we are unable to host them. What is the Adamah culture like? Pluralism of all kinds is key to the success of the Adamah community. We strive to center everyone’s identities and we seek applicants of all genders, nationalities, cultures, ages, ways of Jewish observance and abilities. What skills and new things can I expect to learn through Adamah at Home? Integration Gardening Pickling Cheesemaking Composting Communication Environmental literacy New songs and prayers
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  Hazon Detroit: Michigan Jewish Food Festival

  We’re b-a-a-ack! Roll along with us as we take you through the always exciting 2021 Hazon Michigan Jewish Food Festival! Join us on this magical day as we celebrate safely at a new location and a new time. Sunday, August 15th, 9am-4pm Visit stations on the amazingly beautiful grounds of the Marygrove Conservancy Campus in Detroit (8425 W. McNichols Rd. Detroit). You will see the organizations and businesses that you have come to love over the years as well as new ones! The Festival will engage children, teens, adults, seniors, and families in transformative and educational experiences in the areas of food, food justice, farming, sustainability, environmental initiatives, climate change, and health for themselves and their communities while having an amazing and fun time! We can each take action towards making this a better and more sustainable world for all! SEE circus performers performing along the route HEAR how Hazon and our community partners are supporting and/or making a sustainable difference in our communities TASTE delicious samples of foods that will delight your taste buds ENJOY a unique drive-thru experience that highlights how we can all do our part to care for our world RECEIVE lots of fun goodies and activities The Hazon Michigan Jewish Food Festival is Hazon’s largest event in the country and Michigan’s largest annual Jewish event! So fill up your car with eager family members and friends, and get ready to be transported to a festive world of learning and entertainment, as we strive together towards the vision of a healthier and happier planet.
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  Shabbat-friendly daily health assessment at Brandeis U

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  Covid-19 is Not Like the Plagues of Egypt

  This d'var Torah from Rabbi Thomas Louchheim of Congregation Or Chadash in Tucson says that our communal care for one another makes this pandemic unique. COVID-19 Is Not Like the Plagues of Egypt Today is the first of Nisan, reminding us that Passover is just two weeks away. There has been talk online that, on Passover night, many will refer to COVID-19 as a plague equivalent to the ten disasters God inflicted on Egypt, including swarms of locusts, hordes of frogs, a scourge of boils, pestilence of livestock, and the death of firstborn sons. Might I suggest we not do that. The coronavirus is an epidemic disease, and now, a pandemic because it has spread around the world. And, like a plague, it is causing widespread affliction, as well as pain, loss, and distress. So, shall we liken it to the biblical plagues of our ancestors? I should say not. You see, when the coronavirus is under control across the world, society will begin to recover. There was no recovery after the first, second, third, or tenth plague of Egypt. There was one disaster followed by the next. How else is this disease is different from those we witnessed in ancient Egypt? In a sudden moment God brought forth a plague, and in another, God ended it. The afflictions did not grow exponentially, locusts covered the fields instantly, pestilence of livestock occurred instantly, and all of the first born died in a single night. Do you know the main reason that in our time of crisis and uncertainty that we should choose our words carefully and sensitively and not compare COVID-19 to a biblical plague on Passover? Because all of us have within us the power to flatten the curve, reduce the infection rate and most importantly help those in our neighborhoods who need our help. You see, my friends, during the plagues in Egypt, no one helped their neighbor. No one reached out to help a friend. Everyone turned inward to protect themselves. By the way, this has been true of every plague and pandemic in human history. During the Black Death (1331-1353), where 75-200 million died, they turned on the Jews; the smallpox epidemic in the 1780s killed the Plains and Pueblo Indians; Yellow Fever (1793-1798) in the US; the Spanish Flu (1918-1920, killing 17-100 million). The list goes on. No one helped anyone but themselves. But today is different. Go to Jewishtucson.org and witness the resources our Jewish community is providing for others. Look how the Social Action and Caring committees of our synagogues are helping and reaching out to those who need help. Our communities are doing more than that to combat the disease in ways other than “social distancing.” We are attempting to cure the result of this disease that has brought on loneliness, isolation, and quarantine by practicing “Distant Socializing.” Through Zoom, Facebook Live and other avenues, we are bringing Jewish learning into people’s homes, we bring clergy to members through community teas and use these digital technologies to visit every resident in assisted care homes. Every synagogue is providing the opportunity to be at services and feel the comfort of Shabbat in their own mikdash me’at, “little synagogue” with their rabbis, cantors and soloists. Passover is our springtime festival when young animals are born and the grain harvest begins with the cutting of the barley. Its foundational message is to remind us of a moment of our history with its liberation from oppression. The convergence of spring and the breaking of the shackles of slavery combined with vegetative life breaking through from the formerly icy ground reminds us that our freedom is not easy. And so we are reminded “those who sow in tears will reap in joy.” So, we raise the parsley out of the salt water of our tears. This crisis, though no plague, brings us to tears. Let us raise others as we raise the parsley and give everyone their taste of freedom this Passover. 3/31/2020 Rabbi Thomas A. Louchheim Congregation Or Chadash
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  Goedemorgen: Anne Frank Gives Tucson Hope for a Better Tomorrow

  Tucson freelance writer Barbara Russek imagines a message from Anne Frank to Tucsonans coping with the coronavirus pandemic. Anne Frank Gives Tucson Hope for a Better Tomorrow If Anne Frank had possessed the ability to time travel from her hiding place, the Secret Annex in Amsterdam (1942-1944) and observe folks living in The Old Pueblo, she might have written the following: Goedemorgen (good morning) denizens of Tucson, I see that this is an uncertain, anxious time for you. Cases of coronavirus are going up. Adults have been forced to make big changes in their lives; many are reluctantly working from home; others have lost their jobs and have big worries about feeding their families and paying the bills. Those still at work pray they don’t contract the virus and infect family and friends. With classrooms shuttered, children are restless, as they try to concentrate on classes given on the computer or by their parents. How will their lives be affected by all the schoolwork missed? As I know from personal experience, questions with no answers give way to fear. May your concerns on whatever level you’re experiencing them, soon come to an end. To give you a little perspective on your present situation, I invite you to join me in the Secret Annex for a moment or two, where eight people are forced to live hidden in a cramped 800 square feet of space —for no other reason than the fact that we are Jews. Where: *We cannot talk from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every weekday (except during lunch hour) for fear workers will hear our voices and report us to the authorities. *We cannot flush our one toilet during this time. *Food becomes more and more scarce. *Privacy is practically non-existent. *We can never take a breath of fresh air. And so much more Yet because of our own determination and the courage of our dear non-Jewish helpers who risked their lives to save us, we have survived in these totally inhumane conditions for over two years. We would have continued to do so had not the desire of a few Dutch guilders for betraying Jews ended our confinement in the Secret Annex and a far worse fate awaited us. Now let’s look at what you have: the ability to communicate with just about everyone via the computer, other electronic devices or phone and send virtual hugs and kisses to those whom you hold dear. You’re free to leave the house and get the basic necessities of life at the pharmacy, grocery store or food bank. You have the freedom to take a walk, fill your lungs with fresh air and enjoy Tucson’s beautiful spring weather, which reminds me of carefree days spent playing outside as a schoolgirl in Amsterdam. I hope you’ll take in the wondrous site of wildflowers blooming or even plant a few seeds in your own garden. Maybe you’ll take a bike ride to clear your head, surrounded by the ever-changing mountains and other wonders of nature. As I wrote in my diary “…I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.” Many of you will find another way to make money with a different job in case of emergency. Others have the resources and spirit of giving to help those in need. All things considered, what most of you are experiencing is a major disruption in your lives, one that could be very stressful in many different ways; but, lessons from history are a reminder that it will be a temporary one. Medical discoveries will hopefully bring a halt to this pandemic before long and prevent it in the future. My fervent prayer is that one day you will again be together in unity, as sung in the beautiful Hebraic melody Hine Ma Tov. I hope that reading my thoughts gives you a feeling of gratitude for your many blessings, renewed energy and hope for the future. As I wrote in my diary, “If I look up into the heavens, I think that everything will change for the better…and peace and tranquility will return again.” With my best wishes and faith in a better tomorrow for you, Anne Barbara Russek, a freelance writer in Tucson, welcomes comments at Babette2@comcast.net
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  Politz Day School - Pandemic Zoom Art by Eliana

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  Politz Day School - Facemask Art by Pardes

• Politz Day School - Ayden: 8th Grade Covid Reflection

  COVID-19 is nothing short of ballistic. It created a whole new order of life, changing how we do many activities. Especially in the beginning, it was extremely aggravating and frightening. We were all trapped in our homes, caged like animals, terrified of the virus out in the world. The old passed, the young got sick, but finally, after a few horrible quarantines, we were finally given the ability to attend school once again. At school, everything was different. After just a short period of time, I went from high-fiving my friends to shouting “HELLO!” from across the room, through a saliva infested mask, fogging up my glasses every time I uttered a word. In class, I could barely hear what my teacher was saying through their mask, and the teachers on Zoom weren’t too good either, after hearing feedback enough times that I wanted to pull my ears off and throw them across the room. And I am even at war within my own mind. On one side of the ring, I want to flee the school building, wanting to get as far away from any sort of COVID bacteria. But on the other side, I want to continue to attend school, not wanting to be in solitude any more than I have to. COVID-19 has truly changed my life in a flash. Although, not everything turned out to be bad. After finally dealing with all the craziness in the beginning, I finally started to see the good. I know that nothing could compare to the dark that the virus brought, but a glimmer of light is nothing to sneeze at. COVID allowed me more time to spend with my family, which helped me connect more with them. In addition, my teachers realized the predicament that their students are in, and gave us less homework to help us unwind after a full day wearing masks. In conclusion, COVID-19 has transformed our lives in and outside of school, but if you look closely, you can see the good as well as the bad.

• Politz Day School - Avraham: 8th Grade Covid Reflection

  The first time I had heard about COVID-19 I didn’t fully understand it. I remember hearing people joke around about it. People talking about and saying non facts like “it’s nothing” or “it’s just the flu.” I remember being in Shul, and people saying you should keep sanitizing every couple of minutes and you need to spread far apart. I thought it was ridiculous. I didn’t fully grasp the severity of the disease. I remember being in math class and talking about going online, and what “COVID-19 was”. A little bit later the whole world was starting to shut down, I started watching the news more often. I began to educate myself more regarding COVID-19, its effects and deadliness. COVID had a major impact on how the world views Jewish people. Because of the inconsiderate Jews in Lakewood and New York City who had no regard for COVID-19 Jews have acquired a stain on their image. Subconsciously this affected me. I didn’t want to be viewed as inconsiderate or irresponsible because of my religion. Learning online is superior in the sense of safety, comfort and health. At times online learning can be more difficult due to WiFi issues or misunderstandings. In person learning was not the best from my point of view because the school wasn’t sensitive to COVID issues. They suggested that since my family is “sensitive” about COVID I should go online. In person learning also meant that I can’t start working or relaxing immediately once school ends. I personally feel safer and more comfortable in my own home where I have a choice about who I interact with. Safety is important and shall always be the utmost priority.

• Politz Day School - Berel: 8th Grade Covid Reflection

  Life during COVID-19 is an ever-changing, multi-faceted experience. There are various challenges involved with dealing with the pandemic; some easier than others - although none are routine. There are difficulties facing life at home and life at work. However, there are none as problematic as life at school. Learning has been forced to evolve, to shift, in order to endure the burden of Covid-19. One problem facing students and teachers alike is remote learning. Whether a student is learning from home, or a teacher is teaching from home, the connection between a student-and-teacher has taken a vastly different form. Both cannot convey the same message through Zoom; both cannot have the same variation of learning techniques as previous; and both have to adapt and use a fundamentally different approach in order to continue learning. As a student, staying organized is exponentially more difficult with teachers who are on Zoom. Also, one cannot ask questions and receive answers with the same ease as before. Zoom has caused verbal communication to become drastically more burdensome. Furthermore, it is doubly as hard to focus on a teachers’ words when they are on Zoom; distractions are triply as potent; while the desire to learn halves. Trivial background noises become magnified greatly by headphones’ microphones, while feedback and echoes are as rampant as ever. In conclusion, in my opinion, the best way to tackle learning disabilities in COVID-19 is patience and understanding. Certainly, teachers can go a long way in ensuring their students’ enjoyment in and out of school. Considerate teachers are one of a few bright spots in this pandemic. When teachers step out of their comfort-zone and place themselves in their students’ shoes, it goes a long way. On the flip side, teachers are also under tremendous pressure and students can, with effort, make life considerably easier for them. Together, the faculty, staff, and student body can work together to lighten the load of COVID-19 and ensure a better tomorrow. In prior times, recess and breaks were a great time to de-stress. Politz Day School has done a great job of providing a Table Tennis set in order to make breaks more enjoyable. The table gives pupils something to look forward to between classes. However, recess certainly became less enjoyable. The games we can play have become limited. Some teachers are very considerate to this fact, and as a result, give break time at the end of classes in understanding of the students’ plight. More teachers going the extra mile and being understanding in this facet of life will make school much more functional and pleasant. However, even in these dire circumstances, there have been some hidden blessings and successes nestled in between the failures. As written previously, the Table Tennis set and teachers being understanding to these times have helped. Furthermore, there have been projects and victories that I have taken part of. As an 8th grade student, the triumphs are greatly amplified. Getting great grades on my first report card was one, and the blog I completed in ELA was another. Learning high-level science has been joy, and math has been an exciting challenge.

• Politz Day School - Chaim: 8th Grade Covid Reflection

  When the coronavirus pandemic struck, the world went on a lockdown, a standstill. It caused much distress, depression, and challenges. Zoom, quarantine, and social distancing were introduced to our vocabulary. Having to be isolated from friends, constantly being careful, and staying at home was burdensome and difficult. COVID-19 has affected everyone, in all aspects of our lives, but it has really hit us hard in school. At the end of the school year -in 2020- students of Politz Day School, had to endure all classes on Zoom. It was difficult to learn and to teach. Students felt their focus wandering, teachers, their patience waning. Not being in a classroom setting, having the teacher and fellow students miles away, and being with siblings 24 hours straight pushed us to our limits. But we survived. This school year of 2020 and 2021, the students and teachers, thank G-d, got the opportunity to come to school physically. We have to wear masks, social distance, and sanitize to make sure to stay healthy, but it is worth it. The students get to socialize, to interact with teachers, helping them fully comprehend the material. It is still difficult, having teachers on Zoom, and constantly having to be careful, but it is rewarding. We have to sacrifice normal games, learning techniques, and the common high five, knowing this is the only way. Politz Day School has tried and succeeded, in having a (semi) normal school experience, while still staying healthy in this crisis.

• Politz Day School - Orli: 8th Grade Covid Reflection

  10 months ago, when I was told I would have to be in isolation for the next two weeks, maybe three weeks at most, I did not expect that it would last almost an entire year. If you think about it, people have adapted to the idea of Covid. Wearing a mask, social distancing, Zoom, and hand sanitizing, are all the new normal. In the beginning of Covid we were all on Zoom, but over time people have thought of ways to work around our problems and make them better. We have found social distancing games to play, funny backgrounds on Zoom, and comfortable ways to wear our masks. There are still some things that can't be changed right away. They might take patience, time, and creativity but in the end it’s worth it to work together to solve the problem we have been given.

• Politz Day School - Anonymous: 8th Grade Covid Reflection

  During COVID I have had a lot of struggles and so has everyone else. One of the hardest things was going on Zoom. It was a huge change from being in school but it was super difficult because it was hard for me to learn at all. Another thing that was challenging was having to just look at a screen all day and not being able to do projects or anything. Not being to be with friends was really tough for me. Even though COVID has been very difficult for everyone it still had some good sides. During summer I was able to spend time with my family more since we were not able to go out. Throughout COVID we have been able to get food boxes which is really nice. My feelings on COVID are not good but I still persevere. Even though it has been very difficult we have learned not to take everything we have for granted.

• Politz Day School - Anonymous: 8th Grade Covid Reflection

  Now, as I reflect back to when Covid started around 11 months ago, we were told we might go on Zoom. I had never used Zoom to learn. I was debating in my mind whether I would enjoy Zoom or would it be challenging. The first few weeks were difficult, but after I got adjusted. This year from wearing masks to staying 6 feet apart has made school very unique. There were multiple difficulties such as technical difficulties. Someone’s WiFi was always not working or my classmates were freezing. We had to leave the meeting and come back on, and sometimes it worked and other times it didn’t. When these things happen all I would think about is how badly I wanted to go back to school. Seeing someone over a screen and in person is a great difference. One day I saw my friends, and the next day we were on Zoom for the rest of the year, just like that in the blink of an eye. Another challenge was the teaching aspect. I will admit when teachers teach on Zoom it is difficult to learn, but all the teachers were very flexible and made it feel somewhat like in person school. Even though Zoom was a great challenge I encountered, there were definitely amazing times that I am thankful for. Zoom was spectacular because it taught me how things can change from one day to another and how to adjust and make the best of it. It also taught me to be thankful and fortunate that even during a pandemic I am still able to learn. Even though staying at home was strenuous, I still learned a lot, and will continue to. I will never forget this memory for the frustrations, and the highlights of it. As Hayley Williams said, “Sometimes it takes a good fall to really know where you stand.”

• Politz Day School - Anonymous: 8th Grade Covid Reflection

  If you had told me 12 months ago that I would be on Zoom for months and then be back in school with masks and social distancing I would have told you that you were crazy. COVID-19 is a challenge I never expected I would have to face. It is difficult to have to wear a mask all day and not to be able to hang out with my friends the same way as before. Technology is not perfect, which makes having teachers on Zoom very problematic. In everything in life, you can look at the bad and you can look at the good. It is very difficult to find goodness in Covid. Something favorable that I found out during Covid is that I am not just watching out for ourselves. Wearing masks is not just protecting me but protecting my friend, family and anyone else I see. I am responsible for not just me but other people. I get to help my community by keeping us all safe. Covid is a hurdle that I know is difficult but I know I will get through it. Not seeing my friends and not being able to hug my grandparents is something I never thought I would have to go through. Waking up every day is harder knowing that I can’t hug my friends and grandparents. As the old saying goes “You don't pursue happiness you create it.” We are all going through something awful but if we stay positive Covid won’t defeat us.

• Politz Day School - Anonymous: 8th Grade Covid Reflection

  Learning during COVID-19 is hard. At first, nobody knew much about it, and we were forced to learn at home. It was hard adjusting to school being on a screen. It was nice spending more time with family and not having to get to school. At home was different, but okay. When we got to in person school this year, it was tricky. You never know what is going to happen, who is going to be on zoom, and who is going to be in person. There are a lot of challenges of being in a zoom class, too. There can be network issues, and sometimes it’s hard to have a teacher on zoom in a real classroom. It’s fun to be able to see your friends, but it’s also hard to not know what’s going to happen.

• Politz Day School - Mussia: 7th Grade Covid Reflection

  When I heard we were going on zoom for two weeks, I was ecstatic. I thought “yay, we can eat the whole day, we can sit around and not learn anything!” Boy was I wrong. It was an ordinary day, my mother and I were going on that last minute shopping run for supper. As we walked into Target, we felt the usual blast of cool air welcoming us into the store. The shelves were almost all bare, all of the toilet paper was gone, same with all of the canned and boxed goods. On the way back, my mother got an email from the school, we would be going on Zoom for two whole weeks! The first day of Zoom school was fun, we got to go to classes late at night, the schedule was very unorganized. The next day was more or less how I imagined Zoom would be like. My father made us all go to our Chabad House to learn virtually, each of my siblings got their own classroom to learn in. There was a very strict schedule, Drive to “school”, plug in my iPad, log on to Zoom, eat lunch, afternoon classes, and go home. We had the same monotonous schedule every day. It was very difficult to be on Zoom, because we didn’t learn so much due to technical difficulties or something else. Towards the end of the school year, I stayed at home with my younger two siblings instead of learning at our Chabad House. During the breaks we sprayed the trampoline with water from the hose and then jumped until our break was over. Summer came and went, and it was time to go back to in-person school. The day we went back to in-person school, I was wearing my favorite outfit, a dusty rose colored ribbed shirt, a black denim skirt, and a black beaded choker with a pearl in the middle (I had made it in camp, and wore it every day). My mother had bought us each three masks, I was wearing a mustard yellow one with white polka dots, it was so itchy and hurt my ears. When we first walked into the school, we got our temperature taken with an infrared thermometer. I came into the classroom and sat down, it was really cold in there. I sat wiggling in my seat while my teacher talked about the safety guidelines, and fun activities we would do this year. After that we went through the rest of the school day getting reacquainted with the school building, friends, and teachers. A couple of weeks went by, and slowly Covid-19 began to become an everyday thing that we had to worry about. One Sunday afternoon, we got the news. The whole middle school was to go on lockdown for two weeks. In the middle of those two weeks, our ELA teacher resigned, and for the rest of that time we wouldn’t have an ELA teacher. When we got back to school, Mr. Becker was our English teacher while the school found a new teacher. Finally after a month they found the right teacher for this school. After the quarantining, life became once again, what our new normal was. We continued to use the Owl (a camera that allows for you to see a 360 view of the classroom) for the online learners. Between that, President Joe Biden was elected, there were many protests, some more peaceful that others. We are still in masks, and social distancing is still a thing, but things are getting better with the vaccine coming out. I hope that soon this all will be over.

• Politz Day School - Chava: 7th Grade Covid Reflection

  At first, we thought Corona would never hit the United States. Next thing we knew, we had to go onto Zoom school for just about two weeks. My mother took us kids to the library to pick a few books because everything was going to close down. Zoom was fun at first. I went to our Chabad house with some of my siblings to learn and we went home after school was done. Each of us had our own room to make into our own little classroom and we had a playground in the back for when we had recess. We finally got through zoom and then we were told we would have to stay on it for longer. Quarantine really had its ups and downs for us. For example, kids weren’t allowed to go anywhere. Not even to the store! We weren’t allowed to go to real school and my parents could only leave to go shop for essential items. There were some good parts about staying home too. I really got to spend more time with my siblings and parents. I also visited my grandparents a lot more than we usually do. Next thing I knew, school was already over. Our teachers still had to give us our summer homework and other things so the day after school ended, we went to see our teachers by school so they could give us what we needed. A month passed and it was time for me to go to camp. I had to COVID test a few times and I also had to quarantine from everyone including the people we were quarantined with. Everyone was so strict with COVID rules and we had to be so careful with everything. Another month went by and it was already time for school again. This time, we were able to go in person or on Zoom in case we were still being careful. Of course, my family chose to go to school in person. Before we walked in the school building, someone had to take our temperature to make sure we didn’t have a fever because those are one of the main COVID symptoms. We all had to wear masks and social distance from one another. Masks were super hard at first because we weren’t so used to them. Zoom came out with a new thing called the Owl. It is for the virtual learners at home to get a 360-degree view of the whole classroom. When someone talks, the Owl’s camera slowly turns to the direction the person is in so the virtual learners could see who’s talking. To whoever is reading this, I hope COVID-19 is not going around anymore. And since this will be read in the future, now you can see what everything was like in the past.

• Politz Day School - Rochel: 7th Grade Covid Reflection

  COVID 19 had a big impact in my life. School was different, it was on Zoom. Politz was also a big impact on me, all the teachers made it much easier for us to learn, they gave us papers to print out before class, and made the schedule shorter so we can have a break from screens. Politz also helped us by still giving us the material we needed. And, about once a week we were allowed to come and grab some papers, or material for a project we were doing, and all the Politz staff made class interacting. COVID 19 definitely had an impact on my life. As COVID got worse there were more obstacles along the way. At some points Politz didn’t let us come into the building. Or, we had big tests on zoom which was very difficult. There was a lot of background noise in some people’s houses, and some people were holding their siblings which started getting hard to concentrate. Also, if the whole family is on Zoom it starts getting glitchy and you can miss important information. Although Politz was great about zooming, there were definitely some difficulties along the way. As COVID got a little bit better, in September we were able to come back to school! It was a lot of fun to see our friend in person and not digitally. Although some teachers and students were on zoom with the Owl. As you probably don’t know, an Owl is a speaker on a stand. The Owl also has a camera and when you talk the speaker follows you. It was a big help. So the teachers and students were able to see us although they were at home. Some other protocols we had to do when we came back to school were in the beginning of the day we had to get our temperature check and had to fill out a form so the school knows we weren’t in contact with anyone that had COVID, or if we had to quarantine. We all had to wear masks, keep at least 6 feet apart from our peers, and we had to use barriers on our desks to keep from germs flowing around the classroom. And, if we wanted to go to a different classroom, we had to take our desk that was assigned to us and had wheels with us. School was definitely different but we went for a great adventure, and I hope Corona is not as scary with you!

• Politz Day School - Eliana: 7th Grade Covid Reflection

  When I first started this year, it was extremely difficult for me. When I started Zoom, a lot of the classes glitched and froze up, every assignment was online, and my internet started to act up sometimes. Being on Zoom made me exhausted and by the end of the day, I felt unusually drained. I was one of the only people who were on Zoom, which made it even more tough. Also, I couldn’t do anything fun outside of school because of Covid. Nothing was going right and I was convinced that this year was going to be the absolute worst. A little later in the year, things started to look better for me. I was slowly getting the hang of things. Assignments were getting easier, I was more comfortable with my new teachers, and the vaccine for Covid was getting made. I started to look at the situation more positively. When I thought about all of the good things that had happened to me, my school life and personal life got a lot easier. Having great friends and amazing teachers also helped. Over the course of Covid, I’ve learned a valuable life lesson about how I shouldn’t take anything for granted.

• Politz Day School - Ariel: 7th Grade Covid Reflection

  Hi, my experience of learning during quarantine for COVID was stressful. Before the pandemic even started we went to school on the bus normally. We also had lockers just like normal. Then we started to hear things about the virus and that in Baltimore they had to social distance and wear masks. We thought it was never going to happen to us. But then it came and we had to go online for the rest of the year. Honestly at first I thought the quarantine was fun because we didn’t have to go to school in person. After a month I started to hate it. My focusing skills were terrible because we weren’t in person so I spaced out a lot. Learning in school during COVID was way better than online. Since we got back into school, I could learn much better so I made sure to take advantage and learn. But it was very different because we had all these restrictions. We had to stay 6 feet away from each other, wear a mask, we still needed to Zoom with the people that wanted to stay online, with the owl, and we had to sanitize our hands and everything we touched. You might wonder what the owl is? Well, it is a camera, speaker and a microphone all in one that is connected to the Zoom. The camera and microphone focus on the person that is talking at the time. School was harder than the previous years but I liked it better than zoom.

• Politz Day School - Ofek: 7th Grade Covid Reflection

  Hello, my name is Ofek B.. I am a student at Politz Day School and I am in 7th grade. Learning and COVID isn’t the best combination out there, and it isn’t always convenient. Usually, school is an open and a free place, but this year everything is different. In the beginning of the year, I was on Zoom, and in short, it was not easy. All the papers from the teachers came in late, and I didn’t get the same experience as the learners at school. I didn’t get the experience of being together with friends and there were also many glitches in the internet connection. The school and the teachers tried very hard but it was nearly impossible. After winter break it did come back, and I think that was the best decision for me! The most challenging part about learning during COVID is having to wear masks. Our science teacher says that it is much healthier because people aren’t getting sick, from even everyday colds, but it still isn’t enjoyable. Another reason it is difficult is the distance, because we had to keep a 6 ft distance from one another to follow safety precautions. Especially since we are older, all our lives we were used to having no restrictions and borderlines. Although the list of bad things about COVID and learning might be overwhelming, there are many great things about it. Even after going through all of the challenges, it somehow got us closer to one another, even if it wasn’t physically. We still got to see each other each day at school. The teachers also tried to make fun programs to make the day a little more joyful. COVID was both an uplifting and difficult time.