Special Project / Dan Lavie 

Jewish leaders believe coronavirus crisis could create a new era that would boost aliyah and bring down costs of Jewish education.

Israeli TV hit is now part and parcel of Hebrew education as Jewish Agency emissaries embrace its popularity to convey common language and bolster connection to Israel.

Despite many programs being upended by coronavirus, Jewish educators from France to the United States see the technological silver lining. "This will help bolster the bond with Israel and sense of Jewish peoplehood," says Bnei Akiva emissary in Cleveland.

Jewish educators see the coronavirus crisis, which has caused many Jewish summer camps to cancel this year's activities, as a chance to strengthen bonds between the Jewish state and Diaspora Jewry.

Philanthropy expert Dr. Hanna Shaul Bar Nissim discusses how the coronavirus pandemic has changed the face of Jewish philanthropy.

"It's not a new thing that raising funds for Israel is harder today. The corona didn't change things," says prominent philanthropist. But others say there has been an adverse impact.

The efforts, producing some $160 million so far, have helped fund a variety of measures to improve lives of Jews. Short-term loans, food support among measures.

The crises faced in Israel and Jewish communities abroad as a result of the pandemic are expected to change the face of Jewish philanthropy, experts agree.

"The moment such hate speech crosses the line into conduct amounting to incitement to violence, harassment, or discrimination, governments should act swiftly and appropriately in addressing it," says special envoy Elan Carr.

Anti-Defamation League director laments the scapegoating of Jews, not unlike the attacks during the Middle Ages during the Bubonic Plague.

Top European rabbi tells Israel Hayom a special center to monitor real-time incidents via remote feeds could be established in order to tackle anti-Jewish attacks.

Many Jewish communities have had to adapt by reimagining their relationships with Israel – and with each other.

"Many members of our community have a strong Zionist fervor and they have friends and family in Israel or spent some time studying there," local leader says.

With the country's healthcare system crumbling, Chabad organizations in Odessa and Kiev are working tirelessly to provide their members, especially the elderly, with the best medical support. 

The prevailing approach in the Haredi world has traditionally been that of seclusion from the secular world. This mindset shaped their reaction.

As a result of nationwide lockdowns, IDF soldiers spend time in ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods to enforce the Health Ministry guidelines. The two groups being exposed to each other has led to a better mutual understanding.

Brooklyn Rabbi David Cohen permits the use of a special helpline on Shabbat for community members who are struggling with mental issues, and the response is overwhelming. 

The coronavirus pandemic is transforming the isolationist ultra-Orthodox community as Haredim rush en masse to get Internet and stay updated on the news.

Between limitations on prayers and a global shift on virtually everything around us, Jews worldwide both grapple with and embrace the change.

Dan Lavie receives the B'nai B'rith World Center Award for Journalism for his coverage of challenges facing Diaspora communities, particularly in the year of the coronavirus pandemic.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has named Roman Gofman as director of the Mossad, despite Gofman having no background in intelligence or special operations. The Mossad is a profession, not a political posting. An appointment based on personal loyalty rather than professional expertise places Israel’s security at risk.