2020 in review: A year like no other

The year 2020 will certainly go down as memorable – and not necessarily in a good way. We started out the new decade full of promise in the Rhode Island Jewish community, in the United States and around the world.  Nobody could imagine then that a coronavirus would create such difficult and deadly times, that an election would cause bitter strife, that anti-Semitism would continue to rear its ugly head.

Before we usher in what we sincerely hope will be a brighter 2021, let’s take a look back at 2020 in the Rhode Island Jewish community.

January

At the start of the month, faith leaders from across Rhode Island brought the fight against poverty to the Rhode Island State House during their annual vigil to inspire state legislators to work on an anti-poverty agenda.

Rhode Islanders were among the many thousands of people who traveled to New York for a huge march against anti-Semitism.

Our “Up Front” interview featured Providence Hebrew Day School principal Miriam Esther Weiner.

February

Memories from summer camp highlighted our annual camp issue. Little did we know then that the COVID-19 pandemic would force most camps to cancel their 2020 summer sessions. 

In “The Conversation” feature, members of the community discussed feeling judged about the way they celebrate Judaism.

The annual community Challah Bake, held at the end of January, turned pink to fight cancer; coverage was in the February paper.

A contingent of Rhode Islanders attended the Global Siyum in New York.

March

As winter wound down, we looked forward to spring – but the virus arrived along with the blooming flowers and bright sunshine (and got its first mention in Jewish Rhode Island). 

Another election took place in Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tried to form a government.

Michael Fel was installed as senior rabbi at Temple Emanu-El, in Providence. Sarah Mack, rabbi at Providence’s Temple Beth-El, shared reflections from her trip to Guatemala. Temple Habonim, in Barrington, shared a photo from a congregational trip to Cuba.

Rabbi Barry Dolinger’s nonprofit Mitzvah Matzos baked matzot for Passover and was featured in a photo story.

April

The Passover issue ushered in full coronavirus coverage and a new vocabulary for us, including phrases such as “social distancing” and  “flatten the curve.” The Conversation featured essays on “How Coronavirus Impacted Your Life,” and we reported on how agencies were serving the community.

Photos from the annual community Purim Parade showed the last large gathering of the spring.

Alliance employee Lisa Maybruch reviewed the “More Real Life Kosher Cooking” cookbook, which led to her creating a food blog.  

May

Our furry friends were a great source of companionship and comfort during lockdowns, quarantines and other orders forcing us to stay home. These beloved fur-babies filled our pages, along with stories on how to care for them during all those long hours at home – and after we finally stop working from home.

We talked to local business owners about the impact of COVID-19,  and featured Mark Glazer of Davis Dairy, in Providence, on our cover. Sadly, on May 19, the building housing Davis Dairy was damaged in a fire and the business has yet to reopen.

Temple Habonim’s Rabbi Andrew Klein reflected on his retirement after 13 years leading the Barrington congregation.

June

COVID-19 showed no signs of slowing down and Dr. Michael Fine gave us an update on the pandemic.  

The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island began the process of safely reopening the Alliance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center, in Providence.

The Board of Rabbis of Greater Rhode Island issued a statement in support of the Black community, following more shootings.

Congregation Beth Sholom, in Providence, announced the sale of its building.

July

A summer like no other. That’s what we featured in the July issue as we reported on the June reopening of J-Camp at the Dwares JCC. Most programming across the community remained online.

Beth Sholom announced that its new home would be the Dwares JCC and made plans to worship outside.

August

“The new normal” became a phrase we love to hate as we all started to “take it outside” in these “challenging times.”

Community schools began talking about reopening, with rules about masks and social distancing. 

We reported on the change of leadership at the R.I. Board of Rabbis: Rabbi Dolinger, of Beth Sholom, took over as president, and Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser, of Temple Sinai, in Cranston, became vice president.

Touro Fraternal Association also announced leadership changes: Stevan Labush was elected board chairman and Jeffrey Davis became board vice chairman.

September

The High Holy Days issue featured synagogues’ plans for worship, including online, outdoor and a few in-person indoor services.

Up Front had an interview with Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, the former chief rabbi of Great Britain, who later revealed that he was battling cancer. Sacks died in early November.

October

In this issue, we reminded readers of the importance of voting (the November issue would publish after the elections).

Dani Stieglitz wrote from Israel about voting as an ex-pat.

The ceremony of casting away sins, tashlikh, became a perfect outdoor experience during the pandemic. We featured photos taken in late September.

November

The paper continued to be filled with listings and stories about online programming and outdoor activities. Zoom continued as our new best friend for worship, commentary, learning, meetings and Thanksgiving.

Jewish Rhode Island reported on the national election, but results were not complete as the paper went to press.

December

If you’ve made it to the end of this roundup, you know that we’ve made it to the Hanukkah issue, and that this year we will mostly celebrate the holiday online or just with members of our household.  But our lights will burn bright for each of the eight nights as we anticipate a return to in-person parties and celebrations in the next year.  

FRAN OSTENDORF (fostendorf@jewishallianceri.org) is the editor of Jewish Rhode Island.