Israel approved several restrictions on large numbers of people yesterday, as coronavirus cases continue to mount, Haaretz reports. Starting Friday at 5 p.m., gyms and fitness studios, apart from those attended by professional athletes, will be closed.
Restaurants will only operate for deliveries, and pickup from restaurants will also be allowed. Hotel dining rooms will operate at 35 percent of their maximum capacity, while hotel pools will remain open. These restrictions will remain in effect throughout the week.
In accordance with the government’s decision to limit gatherings, Health Ministry Director General Chezy Levy will sign an order barring gatherings of more than 10 people indoors and 20 outdoors, excluding workplaces.
Great Neck’s Conservative Temple Israel and Reform Temple Beth-El religious schools will merge this fall, forming a new combined school serving both congregations, the synagogues have announced. The new school, under the direction of Rabbi Amy Roth of Temple Israel, will be called The Kulanu Religious School.
While negotiations to establish the new school have been ongoing for some time, it was agreed on within the past few weeks, when many religious institutions experienced a decrease in revenue during the coronavirus pandemic.
JTA reports on the plight of hundreds of Indians who are unable to get back to their lives in Israel, where a flourishing community of expats work in science, technology and home health sectors. According to the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv, more than 12,000 Indian citizens live and work in Israel, the vast majority as caregivers for the elderly or people with disabilities.
Israeli scientists are trying to creating ethanol for hand sanitizers from environmental waste, Israel21C reports.
Hadas Mamane, the head of Tel Aviv University’s environmental engineering program, and Yoram Gerchman from the University of Haifa used a method involving ozone to extract alcohol from municipal and agricultural pruning, hay, paper waste and paper sludge.
“We were surprised to find out that Israel is still completely reliant on the import of alcohol for the purpose of disinfection. From there, it was a short distance to producing alcohol as a disinfectant in the struggle against corona,” said Mamane.
Deaths
Bertram “Buddy” Korn Jr., 64, of Elkins Park, Pa., a journalist and Jewish activist, died Sunday, July 5, of Covid-19, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Known also as “Benyamin,” Korn was executive editor of the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent from 1994 to 1997, and created, among other organizations, the Philadelphia chapter of the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis.
He also founded the Philadelphia Religious Zionists and Jewish Americans for Sarah Palin, and was active in the Zionist Organization of America. Korn also hosted radio shows and worked in Florida for a time as executive editor of the Miami Jewish Tribune.
His late father, Bertram Wallace Korn, was a rabbi and historian who served the. largest Reform congregation in Pennsylvania for 30 years.
Recommended Reading
“Maybe now’s the time to get a dog?” The Jewish Standard reports on a photographer who moonlights as a sort of pet matchmaker, helping families adopt dogs when Covid-19 has upended so many routines.
Streaming
The Aleph Society will hold a musical summer fundraiser, featuring many performers, on Sunday at 6:45 p.m.
The Teaneck Yoetzet Initiative will sponsor an online program on You, Me and We: Cultivating Intimacy on Sunday at 8:30 p.m.
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The Middle East Policy Council will sponsor an online panel discussion on Progress or Conflict? What to Expect for U.S. Policy in the Middle East on Friday at 10 a.m.
The Forum on Life, Culture and Society and Touro Talks will sponsor an online conversation with Ayelet Shaked, former Israeli Justice Minister, and now Knesset member as the leader of the conservative Yamina alliance, on Sunday at 10 a.m.
The White Plains-based Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center will sponsor an online speech by Ellen Kaidanow on Friday at 5 p.m. She is the daughter-in-law of two Holocaust survivors. Info: mjasper@hhrecny.org
The Hampton Synagogue will show “The Keeper” on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. at Francis Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach as part of its annual summer Jewish Film Festival. “The Keeper” tells the story of a German POW turned English football icon who receives support from an unexpected place.
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