While the ultra-Orthodox community is far from monolithic, many rabbis have either ignored or even intentionally flouted safety rules. For many, lockdown "physically doesn’t work" and they see it as a "human rights violation."
"The Jews dominate global finance so they have the vaccines they wanted. It's a kind of historical revenge," Rodrigo Sousa Castro, one of the leaders of the 1974 Portuguese revolution tweets. Israeli envoy: If Israel finds cure for COVID-19, Colonel Sousa Castro will have access to it. When it comes to medicine, we don't exclude anti-Semites or ignorant racists.
Between limitations on prayers and a global shift on virtually everything around us, Jews worldwide both grapple with and embrace the change.
Warning of increased activity inside houses of worship, lax adherence to COVID guidelines, World Organization of Orthodox Synagogues calls for government framework for indoor prayer.
City becomes the first capital in the world other than Jerusalem to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of the phenomenon. Critics say IHRA's definition stifles free speech.
After US Supreme Court delivers setback to heirs of Jewish art dealers in Nazi-era dispute, Holocaust survivors call for legislation that establishes clear path for "survivors and victims' heirs to pursue remedies for genocidal thefts."
Rabbi Michoel Green's status has been terminated and removed from the database of recognized Chabad houses. Green, who describes himself on Facebook as "not just anti-vax" but "consistently anti-pharma," has been highly critical of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
Influential rabbinical figures speak out against those who flaunt guidelines and refuse to get vaccinated, placing everyone around them in danger.
Jerusalem police official: With children among the crowd, attempting to disperse the throngs of people would have been “unwise and dangerous.” A disproportionate number of Israel’s COVID-19 cases are within the country’s ultra-Orthodox minority.
The Republican Jewish Coalition, which opposed the campaign of the now-Georgia congresswoman, said it was “offended and appalled” by her comments and actions.
