Community Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources

In these uncertain times, Our Jewish Community is Here to Help

This page is being updated daily and contains information about the anticipated effects of COVID-19.

The rapid progression of COVID-19 and its recent upgrade to pandemic has required everyone in our community to react and respond to new information and restrictions every day. The recommended practice of social distancing is a particularly challenging requirement during these uncertain and chaotic times when so many of us turn to our Jewish communities for comfort, care, and connection.

Although we are daunted by the enormity of the threat of COVID-19, we also have deep confidence in the ability of our community to face it. Here are some initial updates, with more to follow in the coming days.

Operational Updates

The Federation’s operations and those of our partner agencies have shifted to best protect our employees and the community.

Federation employees are working remotely. They continue to be available by phone and email during normal business hours of 9:00am to 5:00pm. As mail service to our offices is less frequent than normal, we appreciate your patience with delayed responses.
Planned Federation events are canceled until further notice, and meetings are being conducted virtually.
The Ann Arbor JCC, which houses our offices, is closed. Programming is being moved online and will be listed at Virtual Ann Arbor JCC.
JFS employees are working remotely and modifying their services to meet the most urgent needs.

Get Help & Support

During this unprecedented pandemic, our Jewish community is working together and taking care of one another. Our community organizations remain operational to provide assistance during this time

Jewish Family Services serves the community’s existing and emerging needs. If you or someone you care about needs help, please call the JFS Information & Assistance Telephone line: 734.769.0209 or email info@jfsannarbor.org.

Jewish Family Services COVID-19 Response Services

COVID-19 & Mental Wellness (Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit)

How You Can Help

Philanthropy

Federation has established and provided initial seed funding for a Jewish Community Emergency Fund to enable our donors and community to help meet both individual and organizational needs. Even as we assess the medium to long-range impact, we know these needs are already felt by our community organizations. Your support of this fund will enable a focused response to emerging community needs.

Volunteer Opportunities

Jewish Family Services is offering remote and appropriately socially distanced opportunities for volunteers to assist in providing support for older adults, running the food pantry and food delivery service, and providing emergency response assistance to those in need. To participate in serving the community in this way, please complete the JFS volunteer form!

Connect with our Jewish Community

Organizations and congregations from across Washtenaw County and around the world are offering ways to connect during this time of social distancing.

Join the Jewish Ann Arbor & Washtenaw County Facebook Group for regular updates from around the community.

Local Congregations

Our local congregations offer a range of opportunities to connect Jewishly.

Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation

Ann Arbor Orthodox Minyan

Chabad of Ann Arbor

Beth Israel Congregation

Jewish Cultural Society

Pardes Hannah

Temple Beth Emeth

Jewish Culture & Education

#Summer5780: a web portal that showcases events, programming and ideas from across the Jewish world to a single virtual space

Virtual Ann Arbor JCC

The Quarantine Book Club (Jewish Women’s Archive)

Limmud E-Festival

Mechon Hadar – Jewish study for adults and children

Israel Film Center

The Jewish Museum

JewishLIVE Facebook Group

JewFlicks.com

Shalom Hartman Institute

Israeli Dancing – virtual dance sessions around the world

JCPA Education and Webinar Series During the Pandemic – The series includes high-level speakers on important issues that need attention during this pandemic period, such as criminal justice reform, immigration, voting rights, Israel, and human needs related to COVID-19. To watch recordings of past webinars in this series, click here.

Anti-Defamation League – ADL encourages you to explore the full playlist of the “Fighting Hate from Home” series. Recordings of all of webinars can be found here.

Inter-Agency Task Force on Israeli Arab Issues – COVID-19 in Israel’s Arab Communities: Emergency Response in a Shared National Crisis

Israel Policy Forum

JCRC-NY

- My Enemy’s Enemy? Israelis and Palestinians Battle COVID-19
- State of Emergency: Israeli Government Responses to COVID-19
- Israeli & Palestinian Public Opinion in the Time of Coronavirus
- Briefing with U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer on CARES ACT
- Conference Call Recording: How Coronavirus Solved Israel’s Political Puzzle, featuring Lahav Harkov, Jerusalem Post

Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas – Living Room Learning with David Horovitz and Sarah Tuttle-Singer

Jewish Federations of North America – COVID-19: The IDF’s Role in Fighting the Pandemic

Jewish Social Justice Roundtable – Centering Racial Justice and Jews of Color During COVID-19

Resource mentioned during the webinar: Why The Coronavirus is Hitting Black Communities Hardest (a podcast from NPR’s Codeswitch if your eyes need a break from screens)NCJW