To download this statement in PDF format, click here.

Jewish community organ­isa­tions and leaders across Australia have intens­i­fied their efforts to manage the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Jewish insti­tu­tions, families, indi­vidu­als and, most espe­cially, the elderly and vul­ner­able.   We recognise with deep appre­ci­ation the con­tinu­ing work being done by the Jewish community roof bodies in each State, the Crisis Man­age­ment Teams of the Community Security Groups, shules, the Day Schools, the aged care sector, the welfare sector and volun­teers, and commend them for the high sense of respons­ib­il­ity they have demon­strated.

Despite a very small number of unfor­tu­nate excep­tions earlier on, everyone in our community now appears to be sensibly heeding gov­ern­ment dir­ec­tions, and advice from Jewish lay and religious leaders, to maintain strict physical dis­tan­cing.  Those who ignore these require­ments are a danger to them­selves and to others.  For the time being, gath­er­ings for prayer and study or for social or other purposes carry too many health dangers to be tolerated. It is literally a matter of life and death. So too is keeping children phys­ic­ally separate from their grand­par­ents, great-grand­par­ents and other older relatives, and utilising only non-physical means of contact.

On 23 March 2020, a short video featuring Dr Norman Swan gave practical advice for Jewish families on the imper­at­ive of physical dis­tan­cing until the COVID-19 pandemic is over.  It was a joint pro­duc­tion by the ECAJ, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and CSG/JEMP NSW.  It was widely shared online and on social media and sent to Jewish roof bodies in the other States and the ACT, to circulate to their local networks.

On 24 March 2020, the ECAJ President, Jillian Segal AO, delivered a video message to the Aus­trali­an Jewish community.  It had three key messages: (i) be strict about prac­tising physical dis­tan­cing, with grand­par­ents, and with anyone outside the household (ii) take care of the elderly or those with health con­di­tions living inde­pend­ently who feel isolated and in need of help (iii) if you need coun­selling and support reach out to us. The video was also widely shared online and on social media, including to ECAJ con­stitu­ent and affiliate organ­isa­tions and was accessed by many people.

We note the emails of appre­ci­ation by several of our state pres­id­ents who found these resources valuable and we appre­ci­ate everyone’s assist­ance in widely dis­trib­ut­ing this important content.

A video is being produced with the assist­ance of clinical psy­cho­lo­gist Dr David Goldman on handling the psy­cho­lo­gic­al and emotional toll of isolation, anxiety and dis­rup­tion caused by the current situation.

The following is an update from last week’s summary of the current status of Jewish community life in each State and Territory.

New South Wales

• DMG now has a DMG Core of 6, plus a wider extended group
• Crisis medical committee continues to meet and plan
• Crisis finance committee continues in its assess­ment of the financial rami­fic­a­tions of COVID-19 on the community
• A sub committee dealing with com­mu­nic­a­tions has been set up dealing with both messaging and methods of com­mu­nic­at­ing
• JEMP is opening an Emergency Oper­a­tions Centre (EOC) today
• EOC acts as a central point of con­nec­tion, operation and liaison for support organ­isa­tions within the community
• EOC operated primarily by CSG pro­fes­sion­als and volun­teers, plus other recruits
• CSG has alerted its volun­teers and reserves – a total pool of up to 600
• EOC operates through a 1300 phone number
• As incoming calls are logged and triaged, the liaisons and coordin­at­ors become respons­ible to allocate the required resources and com­mu­nic­ate back to the relevant community organ­isa­tions

Victoria

• All shules have now closed
• Jewish Care Victoria Launches COVID-19 Helpline has come online, Monday to Friday between 8:30am – 6:30pm for people who as a result of the coronavir­us:

• • Are exper­i­en­cing emotional distress and worry,
  • Are finding them­selves socially isolated,
  • Are exper­i­en­cing financial hardship, or
  • Are losing their con­nec­tion to community and need a helping hand to run errands and collect groceries.
• Standup has establish the Jewish Response to Corona Virus (Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/215421613037244/permalink/215566156356123/) which is coordin­at­ing volun­teers in a range of areas, providing an inform­a­tion exchange for those trying locate items, and assisting in areas such as employ­ment and housing.

Western Australia

• Lead­er­ship group (JCCWA CSG Menora Rabbis and medical team) are averaging two zoom meetings each week as well as a very active WhatsApp group.
• All shules are now closed – Rabbonim working closely with JCCWA, Menora Charity and CSG ensuring the well-being of the community
• Carmel School is still open for children who need to go to school.  Online for everyone else which will commence on Monday. As of today most high school students are home while the school is getting ready for year 11 and 12 students which will be imple­men­ted after the school holidays.
• Maurice Zeffert Home is still working as per WA Govt Guidelines.  However visiting has been extremely limited and is com­pletely monitored.
• Buddy system now in place and people living on their own are being phoned.
• Menora Charity very busy ensuring there are suf­fi­cient supplies for those who are needy.  Menora Charity’s annual appeal has now been brought forward to Monday next week instead of May.  There is a need to fin­an­cially help many families in the community
• JCCWA is still sending out updated inform­a­tion through­out the community.

Queens­land

• Syn­agogues are seeking help with checking out the Not for Profit funding options as most if not all, do not have the capacity to follow this up.
• Depart­ment of Home Affairs Regional North has been in contact to check in to see how community is managing. All is in hand and calm but there will be a time where some financial resources will be required for various support activ­it­ies. Depart­ment promised to advise if there is going to be a way to access funds for community support without going through a long process.
• South Brisbane Hebrew Con­greg­a­tion now closed as per national announce­ment
• Beit or V’Shalom Brisbane has now closed and did not hold services last Shabbat.
• Gan Gani Kindy (Queens­land Jewish Kinder­garten Asso­ci­ation) will now go to Pupil Free days next week in the lead up to the end of the school term. Staff will remain on duty to provide services for children of those parents or guardians who are deemed to be essential workers and who are in good health.
• Sinai College will now go to Pupil Free days next week in the lead up to the end of the school term. Staff will remain on duty to provide services for children of those parents or guardians who are deemed to be essential workers and who are in good health.
• An essential worker is anyone who is required to maintain employ­ment during this time. 
• QJBD will likely tag onto the NSWJBD Yom HaShoah Livestream and will probably email to the community messages on the day.
• QJBD will not now be dis­trib­ut­ing the Zachor Candles at this time and will use them in 2021 or later in the year if it is decide to link Kristallnacht to Yom HaShoah com­mem­or­a­tions this year.
• JCareQld Inc. is con­tinu­ing to be at the frontline for and with QJBD with regis­ter­ing volun­teers and identi­fy­ing people who will or do need assist­ance. Many people have volun­teered so far but the cases are minimal thus far.
• JCareQld is coordin­at­ing with NCJW Gold Coast which is already servicing the Gold Coast region and have many volun­teers in place already.
• If anyone inter­state is aware of a family member or friend living in Queens­land (anywhere) who may need assist­ance, please email Howard Posner President JCareQld Inc. [email protected] or phone Howard on 0424 335 969. There is now an active network of support from Tweed Heads to Cairns and all points west. Please do not contact other organ­isa­tions in Queens­land as QJBD is trying to make sure no one slips through any cracks due to lack of coordin­ated contacts.
• Chevra Kadisha was in touch to advise that they are working with Funeral Directors in Queens­land. PPE is being provided, all care and safety measures being taken.
• Kosher food pre­par­a­tion options have now been organised in Queens­land and will be dis­trib­uted to those in need via JCareQld as and if needed.
• Financial assist­ance in the form of long term no interest loans is also available. All enquiries should be directed through JCareQld.

ACT

• With the closure of ACT public schools, the ACT Jewish Community (ACTJC) has stopped running Tuesday and Sunday Cheder;
• ACTJC has launched a community billboard for members to advertise products and services; this service is being offered to support community members who are suffering financial hardship due to losing employ­ment or customers due to the COVID-19 pandemic;
• The Jew­ish­Care worker has now finalised a contact list of members in need – Jew­ish­Care, Rabbi and Shalich keep check on their wellbeing both phys­ic­ally and emo­tion­ally and will deliver essential shopping and meals;
• Via Jew­ish­Care, the ACTJC now has a freezer filled with kosher meals for senior Jewish community members;
• Sales of challah, bakery and wine at the ACTJC Centre have been suspended; messages have been posted to the entire community not to enter the building;
• Rabbi Miller has moved all his classes online and will run the first virtual Kabbalat Shabbat service this evening as well as the ‘communal seder’ following con­ver­sa­tions with senior rabbinic author­it­ies on the accept­ance of this practice.

South Australia

• Jewish Community Services (JCS) has been granted authority from the federal gov­ern­ment to provide emergency services to community members 65 years and older who are not currently clients nor registered with My Aged Care.  JCS is providing addi­tion­al social support via phone, shopping assist­ance and delivery, and flexible respite to community members.
• Beit Shalom Synagogue has transitioned seam­lessly to digital services, adult education and cheder delivery.
• Online orders for seder meals for Pesach are being organised.

Tasmania 

• No change since last week

We again stress the necessity of strict social dis­tan­cing.   Please keep safe and keep those around you safe, by exer­cising every pre­cau­tion.

The ECAJ continues to receive a wonderful response to our national e‑mail calling for volun­teers to assist the most isolated and vul­ner­able members of our community.

Contact
Peter Wertheim | Co-CEO
ph: 02 8353 8505 | m: 0408 160 904 | fax 02 9361 588
e: [email protected]| www.ecaj.org.au