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Covid-19 is Not Like the Plagues of Egypt

This d'var Torah from Rabbi Thomas Louchheim of Congregation Or Chadash in Tucson says that our communal care for one another makes this pandemic unique. COVID-19 Is Not Like the Plagues of Egypt Today is the first of Nisan, reminding us that Passover is just two weeks away. There has been talk online that, on Passover night, many will refer to COVID-19 as a plague equivalent to the ten disasters God inflicted on Egypt, including swarms of locusts, hordes of frogs, a scourge of boils, pestilence of livestock, and the death of firstborn sons. Might I suggest we not do that. The coronavirus is an epidemic disease, and now, a pandemic because it has spread around the world. And, like a plague, it is causing widespread affliction, as well as pain, loss, and distress. So, shall we liken it to the biblical plagues of our ancestors? I should say not. You see, when the coronavirus is under control across the world, society will begin to recover. There was no recovery after the first, second, third, or tenth plague of Egypt. There was one disaster followed by the next. How else is this disease is different from those we witnessed in ancient Egypt? In a sudden moment God brought forth a plague, and in another, God ended it. The afflictions did not grow exponentially, locusts covered the fields instantly, pestilence of livestock occurred instantly, and all of the first born died in a single night. Do you know the main reason that in our time of crisis and uncertainty that we should choose our words carefully and sensitively and not compare COVID-19 to a biblical plague on Passover? Because all of us have within us the power to flatten the curve, reduce the infection rate and most importantly help those in our neighborhoods who need our help. You see, my friends, during the plagues in Egypt, no one helped their neighbor. No one reached out to help a friend. Everyone turned inward to protect themselves. By the way, this has been true of every plague and pandemic in human history. During the Black Death (1331-1353), where 75-200 million died, they turned on the Jews; the smallpox epidemic in the 1780s killed the Plains and Pueblo Indians; Yellow Fever (1793-1798) in the US; the Spanish Flu (1918-1920, killing 17-100 million). The list goes on. No one helped anyone but themselves. But today is different. Go to Jewishtucson.org and witness the resources our Jewish community is providing for others. Look how the Social Action and Caring committees of our synagogues are helping and reaching out to those who need help. Our communities are doing more than that to combat the disease in ways other than “social distancing.” We are attempting to cure the result of this disease that has brought on loneliness, isolation, and quarantine by practicing “Distant Socializing.” Through Zoom, Facebook Live and other avenues, we are bringing Jewish learning into people’s homes, we bring clergy to members through community teas and use these digital technologies to visit every resident in assisted care homes. Every synagogue is providing the opportunity to be at services and feel the comfort of Shabbat in their own mikdash me’at, “little synagogue” with their rabbis, cantors and soloists. Passover is our springtime festival when young animals are born and the grain harvest begins with the cutting of the barley. Its foundational message is to remind us of a moment of our history with its liberation from oppression. The convergence of spring and the breaking of the shackles of slavery combined with vegetative life breaking through from the formerly icy ground reminds us that our freedom is not easy. And so we are reminded “those who sow in tears will reap in joy.” So, we raise the parsley out of the salt water of our tears. This crisis, though no plague, brings us to tears. Let us raise others as we raise the parsley and give everyone their taste of freedom this Passover. 3/31/2020 Rabbi Thomas A. Louchheim Congregation Or Chadash
Goedemorgen: Anne Frank Gives Tucson Hope for a Better Tomorrow

Tucson freelance writer Barbara Russek imagines a message from Anne Frank to Tucsonans coping with the coronavirus pandemic. Anne Frank Gives Tucson Hope for a Better Tomorrow If Anne Frank had possessed the ability to time travel from her hiding place, the Secret Annex in Amsterdam (1942-1944) and observe folks living in The Old Pueblo, she might have written the following: Goedemorgen (good morning) denizens of Tucson, I see that this is an uncertain, anxious time for you. Cases of coronavirus are going up. Adults have been forced to make big changes in their lives; many are reluctantly working from home; others have lost their jobs and have big worries about feeding their families and paying the bills. Those still at work pray they don’t contract the virus and infect family and friends. With classrooms shuttered, children are restless, as they try to concentrate on classes given on the computer or by their parents. How will their lives be affected by all the schoolwork missed? As I know from personal experience, questions with no answers give way to fear. May your concerns on whatever level you’re experiencing them, soon come to an end. To give you a little perspective on your present situation, I invite you to join me in the Secret Annex for a moment or two, where eight people are forced to live hidden in a cramped 800 square feet of space —for no other reason than the fact that we are Jews. Where: *We cannot talk from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every weekday (except during lunch hour) for fear workers will hear our voices and report us to the authorities. *We cannot flush our one toilet during this time. *Food becomes more and more scarce. *Privacy is practically non-existent. *We can never take a breath of fresh air. And so much more Yet because of our own determination and the courage of our dear non-Jewish helpers who risked their lives to save us, we have survived in these totally inhumane conditions for over two years. We would have continued to do so had not the desire of a few Dutch guilders for betraying Jews ended our confinement in the Secret Annex and a far worse fate awaited us. Now let’s look at what you have: the ability to communicate with just about everyone via the computer, other electronic devices or phone and send virtual hugs and kisses to those whom you hold dear. You’re free to leave the house and get the basic necessities of life at the pharmacy, grocery store or food bank. You have the freedom to take a walk, fill your lungs with fresh air and enjoy Tucson’s beautiful spring weather, which reminds me of carefree days spent playing outside as a schoolgirl in Amsterdam. I hope you’ll take in the wondrous site of wildflowers blooming or even plant a few seeds in your own garden. Maybe you’ll take a bike ride to clear your head, surrounded by the ever-changing mountains and other wonders of nature. As I wrote in my diary “…I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.” Many of you will find another way to make money with a different job in case of emergency. Others have the resources and spirit of giving to help those in need. All things considered, what most of you are experiencing is a major disruption in your lives, one that could be very stressful in many different ways; but, lessons from history are a reminder that it will be a temporary one. Medical discoveries will hopefully bring a halt to this pandemic before long and prevent it in the future. My fervent prayer is that one day you will again be together in unity, as sung in the beautiful Hebraic melody Hine Ma Tov. I hope that reading my thoughts gives you a feeling of gratitude for your many blessings, renewed energy and hope for the future. As I wrote in my diary, “If I look up into the heavens, I think that everything will change for the better…and peace and tranquility will return again.” With my best wishes and faith in a better tomorrow for you, Anne Barbara Russek, a freelance writer in Tucson, welcomes comments at Babette2@comcast.net
Politz Day School - Pandemic Zoom Art by Eliana
Politz Day School - Facemask Art by Pardes
Politz Day School - Ayden: 8th Grade Covid Reflection

COVID-19 is nothing short of ballistic. It created a whole new order of life, changing how we do many activities. Especially in the beginning, it was extremely aggravating and frightening. We were all trapped in our homes, caged like animals, terrified of the virus out in the world. The old passed, the young got sick, but finally, after a few horrible quarantines, we were finally given the ability to attend school once again. At school, everything was different. After just a short period of time, I went from high-fiving my friends to shouting “HELLO!” from across the room, through a saliva infested mask, fogging up my glasses every time I uttered a word. In class, I could barely hear what my teacher was saying through their mask, and the teachers on Zoom weren’t too good either, after hearing feedback enough times that I wanted to pull my ears off and throw them across the room. And I am even at war within my own mind. On one side of the ring, I want to flee the school building, wanting to get as far away from any sort of COVID bacteria. But on the other side, I want to continue to attend school, not wanting to be in solitude any more than I have to. COVID-19 has truly changed my life in a flash. Although, not everything turned out to be bad. After finally dealing with all the craziness in the beginning, I finally started to see the good. I know that nothing could compare to the dark that the virus brought, but a glimmer of light is nothing to sneeze at. COVID allowed me more time to spend with my family, which helped me connect more with them. In addition, my teachers realized the predicament that their students are in, and gave us less homework to help us unwind after a full day wearing masks. In conclusion, COVID-19 has transformed our lives in and outside of school, but if you look closely, you can see the good as well as the bad.
Politz Day School - Avraham: 8th Grade Covid Reflection

The first time I had heard about COVID-19 I didn’t fully understand it. I remember hearing people joke around about it. People talking about and saying non facts like “it’s nothing” or “it’s just the flu.” I remember being in Shul, and people saying you should keep sanitizing every couple of minutes and you need to spread far apart. I thought it was ridiculous. I didn’t fully grasp the severity of the disease. I remember being in math class and talking about going online, and what “COVID-19 was”. A little bit later the whole world was starting to shut down, I started watching the news more often. I began to educate myself more regarding COVID-19, its effects and deadliness. COVID had a major impact on how the world views Jewish people. Because of the inconsiderate Jews in Lakewood and New York City who had no regard for COVID-19 Jews have acquired a stain on their image. Subconsciously this affected me. I didn’t want to be viewed as inconsiderate or irresponsible because of my religion. Learning online is superior in the sense of safety, comfort and health. At times online learning can be more difficult due to WiFi issues or misunderstandings. In person learning was not the best from my point of view because the school wasn’t sensitive to COVID issues. They suggested that since my family is “sensitive” about COVID I should go online. In person learning also meant that I can’t start working or relaxing immediately once school ends. I personally feel safer and more comfortable in my own home where I have a choice about who I interact with. Safety is important and shall always be the utmost priority.
Politz Day School - Berel: 8th Grade Covid Reflection

Life during COVID-19 is an ever-changing, multi-faceted experience. There are various challenges involved with dealing with the pandemic; some easier than others - although none are routine. There are difficulties facing life at home and life at work. However, there are none as problematic as life at school. Learning has been forced to evolve, to shift, in order to endure the burden of Covid-19. One problem facing students and teachers alike is remote learning. Whether a student is learning from home, or a teacher is teaching from home, the connection between a student-and-teacher has taken a vastly different form. Both cannot convey the same message through Zoom; both cannot have the same variation of learning techniques as previous; and both have to adapt and use a fundamentally different approach in order to continue learning. As a student, staying organized is exponentially more difficult with teachers who are on Zoom. Also, one cannot ask questions and receive answers with the same ease as before. Zoom has caused verbal communication to become drastically more burdensome. Furthermore, it is doubly as hard to focus on a teachers’ words when they are on Zoom; distractions are triply as potent; while the desire to learn halves. Trivial background noises become magnified greatly by headphones’ microphones, while feedback and echoes are as rampant as ever. In conclusion, in my opinion, the best way to tackle learning disabilities in COVID-19 is patience and understanding. Certainly, teachers can go a long way in ensuring their students’ enjoyment in and out of school. Considerate teachers are one of a few bright spots in this pandemic. When teachers step out of their comfort-zone and place themselves in their students’ shoes, it goes a long way. On the flip side, teachers are also under tremendous pressure and students can, with effort, make life considerably easier for them. Together, the faculty, staff, and student body can work together to lighten the load of COVID-19 and ensure a better tomorrow. In prior times, recess and breaks were a great time to de-stress. Politz Day School has done a great job of providing a Table Tennis set in order to make breaks more enjoyable. The table gives pupils something to look forward to between classes. However, recess certainly became less enjoyable. The games we can play have become limited. Some teachers are very considerate to this fact, and as a result, give break time at the end of classes in understanding of the students’ plight. More teachers going the extra mile and being understanding in this facet of life will make school much more functional and pleasant. However, even in these dire circumstances, there have been some hidden blessings and successes nestled in between the failures. As written previously, the Table Tennis set and teachers being understanding to these times have helped. Furthermore, there have been projects and victories that I have taken part of. As an 8th grade student, the triumphs are greatly amplified. Getting great grades on my first report card was one, and the blog I completed in ELA was another. Learning high-level science has been joy, and math has been an exciting challenge.
Politz Day School - Chaim: 8th Grade Covid Reflection

When the coronavirus pandemic struck, the world went on a lockdown, a standstill. It caused much distress, depression, and challenges. Zoom, quarantine, and social distancing were introduced to our vocabulary. Having to be isolated from friends, constantly being careful, and staying at home was burdensome and difficult. COVID-19 has affected everyone, in all aspects of our lives, but it has really hit us hard in school. At the end of the school year -in 2020- students of Politz Day School, had to endure all classes on Zoom. It was difficult to learn and to teach. Students felt their focus wandering, teachers, their patience waning. Not being in a classroom setting, having the teacher and fellow students miles away, and being with siblings 24 hours straight pushed us to our limits. But we survived. This school year of 2020 and 2021, the students and teachers, thank G-d, got the opportunity to come to school physically. We have to wear masks, social distance, and sanitize to make sure to stay healthy, but it is worth it. The students get to socialize, to interact with teachers, helping them fully comprehend the material. It is still difficult, having teachers on Zoom, and constantly having to be careful, but it is rewarding. We have to sacrifice normal games, learning techniques, and the common high five, knowing this is the only way. Politz Day School has tried and succeeded, in having a (semi) normal school experience, while still staying healthy in this crisis.
Politz Day School - Orli: 8th Grade Covid Reflection

10 months ago, when I was told I would have to be in isolation for the next two weeks, maybe three weeks at most, I did not expect that it would last almost an entire year. If you think about it, people have adapted to the idea of Covid. Wearing a mask, social distancing, Zoom, and hand sanitizing, are all the new normal. In the beginning of Covid we were all on Zoom, but over time people have thought of ways to work around our problems and make them better. We have found social distancing games to play, funny backgrounds on Zoom, and comfortable ways to wear our masks. There are still some things that can't be changed right away. They might take patience, time, and creativity but in the end it’s worth it to work together to solve the problem we have been given.
Politz Day School - Anonymous: 8th Grade Covid Reflection

During COVID I have had a lot of struggles and so has everyone else. One of the hardest things was going on Zoom. It was a huge change from being in school but it was super difficult because it was hard for me to learn at all. Another thing that was challenging was having to just look at a screen all day and not being able to do projects or anything. Not being to be with friends was really tough for me. Even though COVID has been very difficult for everyone it still had some good sides. During summer I was able to spend time with my family more since we were not able to go out. Throughout COVID we have been able to get food boxes which is really nice. My feelings on COVID are not good but I still persevere. Even though it has been very difficult we have learned not to take everything we have for granted.
Politz Day School - Anonymous: 8th Grade Covid Reflection

Now, as I reflect back to when Covid started around 11 months ago, we were told we might go on Zoom. I had never used Zoom to learn. I was debating in my mind whether I would enjoy Zoom or would it be challenging. The first few weeks were difficult, but after I got adjusted. This year from wearing masks to staying 6 feet apart has made school very unique. There were multiple difficulties such as technical difficulties. Someone’s WiFi was always not working or my classmates were freezing. We had to leave the meeting and come back on, and sometimes it worked and other times it didn’t. When these things happen all I would think about is how badly I wanted to go back to school. Seeing someone over a screen and in person is a great difference. One day I saw my friends, and the next day we were on Zoom for the rest of the year, just like that in the blink of an eye. Another challenge was the teaching aspect. I will admit when teachers teach on Zoom it is difficult to learn, but all the teachers were very flexible and made it feel somewhat like in person school. Even though Zoom was a great challenge I encountered, there were definitely amazing times that I am thankful for. Zoom was spectacular because it taught me how things can change from one day to another and how to adjust and make the best of it. It also taught me to be thankful and fortunate that even during a pandemic I am still able to learn. Even though staying at home was strenuous, I still learned a lot, and will continue to. I will never forget this memory for the frustrations, and the highlights of it. As Hayley Williams said, “Sometimes it takes a good fall to really know where you stand.”
Politz Day School - Anonymous: 8th Grade Covid Reflection

If you had told me 12 months ago that I would be on Zoom for months and then be back in school with masks and social distancing I would have told you that you were crazy. COVID-19 is a challenge I never expected I would have to face. It is difficult to have to wear a mask all day and not to be able to hang out with my friends the same way as before. Technology is not perfect, which makes having teachers on Zoom very problematic. In everything in life, you can look at the bad and you can look at the good. It is very difficult to find goodness in Covid. Something favorable that I found out during Covid is that I am not just watching out for ourselves. Wearing masks is not just protecting me but protecting my friend, family and anyone else I see. I am responsible for not just me but other people. I get to help my community by keeping us all safe. Covid is a hurdle that I know is difficult but I know I will get through it. Not seeing my friends and not being able to hug my grandparents is something I never thought I would have to go through. Waking up every day is harder knowing that I can’t hug my friends and grandparents. As the old saying goes “You don't pursue happiness you create it.” We are all going through something awful but if we stay positive Covid won’t defeat us.
Politz Day School - Anonymous: 8th Grade Covid Reflection

Learning during COVID-19 is hard. At first, nobody knew much about it, and we were forced to learn at home. It was hard adjusting to school being on a screen. It was nice spending more time with family and not having to get to school. At home was different, but okay. When we got to in person school this year, it was tricky. You never know what is going to happen, who is going to be on zoom, and who is going to be in person. There are a lot of challenges of being in a zoom class, too. There can be network issues, and sometimes it’s hard to have a teacher on zoom in a real classroom. It’s fun to be able to see your friends, but it’s also hard to not know what’s going to happen.
Politz Day School - Mussia: 7th Grade Covid Reflection

When I heard we were going on zoom for two weeks, I was ecstatic. I thought “yay, we can eat the whole day, we can sit around and not learn anything!” Boy was I wrong. It was an ordinary day, my mother and I were going on that last minute shopping run for supper. As we walked into Target, we felt the usual blast of cool air welcoming us into the store. The shelves were almost all bare, all of the toilet paper was gone, same with all of the canned and boxed goods. On the way back, my mother got an email from the school, we would be going on Zoom for two whole weeks! The first day of Zoom school was fun, we got to go to classes late at night, the schedule was very unorganized. The next day was more or less how I imagined Zoom would be like. My father made us all go to our Chabad House to learn virtually, each of my siblings got their own classroom to learn in. There was a very strict schedule, Drive to “school”, plug in my iPad, log on to Zoom, eat lunch, afternoon classes, and go home. We had the same monotonous schedule every day. It was very difficult to be on Zoom, because we didn’t learn so much due to technical difficulties or something else. Towards the end of the school year, I stayed at home with my younger two siblings instead of learning at our Chabad House. During the breaks we sprayed the trampoline with water from the hose and then jumped until our break was over. Summer came and went, and it was time to go back to in-person school. The day we went back to in-person school, I was wearing my favorite outfit, a dusty rose colored ribbed shirt, a black denim skirt, and a black beaded choker with a pearl in the middle (I had made it in camp, and wore it every day). My mother had bought us each three masks, I was wearing a mustard yellow one with white polka dots, it was so itchy and hurt my ears. When we first walked into the school, we got our temperature taken with an infrared thermometer. I came into the classroom and sat down, it was really cold in there. I sat wiggling in my seat while my teacher talked about the safety guidelines, and fun activities we would do this year. After that we went through the rest of the school day getting reacquainted with the school building, friends, and teachers. A couple of weeks went by, and slowly Covid-19 began to become an everyday thing that we had to worry about. One Sunday afternoon, we got the news. The whole middle school was to go on lockdown for two weeks. In the middle of those two weeks, our ELA teacher resigned, and for the rest of that time we wouldn’t have an ELA teacher. When we got back to school, Mr. Becker was our English teacher while the school found a new teacher. Finally after a month they found the right teacher for this school. After the quarantining, life became once again, what our new normal was. We continued to use the Owl (a camera that allows for you to see a 360 view of the classroom) for the online learners. Between that, President Joe Biden was elected, there were many protests, some more peaceful that others. We are still in masks, and social distancing is still a thing, but things are getting better with the vaccine coming out. I hope that soon this all will be over.
Politz Day School - Chava: 7th Grade Covid Reflection

At first, we thought Corona would never hit the United States. Next thing we knew, we had to go onto Zoom school for just about two weeks. My mother took us kids to the library to pick a few books because everything was going to close down. Zoom was fun at first. I went to our Chabad house with some of my siblings to learn and we went home after school was done. Each of us had our own room to make into our own little classroom and we had a playground in the back for when we had recess. We finally got through zoom and then we were told we would have to stay on it for longer. Quarantine really had its ups and downs for us. For example, kids weren’t allowed to go anywhere. Not even to the store! We weren’t allowed to go to real school and my parents could only leave to go shop for essential items. There were some good parts about staying home too. I really got to spend more time with my siblings and parents. I also visited my grandparents a lot more than we usually do. Next thing I knew, school was already over. Our teachers still had to give us our summer homework and other things so the day after school ended, we went to see our teachers by school so they could give us what we needed. A month passed and it was time for me to go to camp. I had to COVID test a few times and I also had to quarantine from everyone including the people we were quarantined with. Everyone was so strict with COVID rules and we had to be so careful with everything. Another month went by and it was already time for school again. This time, we were able to go in person or on Zoom in case we were still being careful. Of course, my family chose to go to school in person. Before we walked in the school building, someone had to take our temperature to make sure we didn’t have a fever because those are one of the main COVID symptoms. We all had to wear masks and social distance from one another. Masks were super hard at first because we weren’t so used to them. Zoom came out with a new thing called the Owl. It is for the virtual learners at home to get a 360-degree view of the whole classroom. When someone talks, the Owl’s camera slowly turns to the direction the person is in so the virtual learners could see who’s talking. To whoever is reading this, I hope COVID-19 is not going around anymore. And since this will be read in the future, now you can see what everything was like in the past.
Politz Day School - Rochel: 7th Grade Covid Reflection

COVID 19 had a big impact in my life. School was different, it was on Zoom. Politz was also a big impact on me, all the teachers made it much easier for us to learn, they gave us papers to print out before class, and made the schedule shorter so we can have a break from screens. Politz also helped us by still giving us the material we needed. And, about once a week we were allowed to come and grab some papers, or material for a project we were doing, and all the Politz staff made class interacting. COVID 19 definitely had an impact on my life. As COVID got worse there were more obstacles along the way. At some points Politz didn’t let us come into the building. Or, we had big tests on zoom which was very difficult. There was a lot of background noise in some people’s houses, and some people were holding their siblings which started getting hard to concentrate. Also, if the whole family is on Zoom it starts getting glitchy and you can miss important information. Although Politz was great about zooming, there were definitely some difficulties along the way. As COVID got a little bit better, in September we were able to come back to school! It was a lot of fun to see our friend in person and not digitally. Although some teachers and students were on zoom with the Owl. As you probably don’t know, an Owl is a speaker on a stand. The Owl also has a camera and when you talk the speaker follows you. It was a big help. So the teachers and students were able to see us although they were at home. Some other protocols we had to do when we came back to school were in the beginning of the day we had to get our temperature check and had to fill out a form so the school knows we weren’t in contact with anyone that had COVID, or if we had to quarantine. We all had to wear masks, keep at least 6 feet apart from our peers, and we had to use barriers on our desks to keep from germs flowing around the classroom. And, if we wanted to go to a different classroom, we had to take our desk that was assigned to us and had wheels with us. School was definitely different but we went for a great adventure, and I hope Corona is not as scary with you!
Politz Day School - Eliana: 7th Grade Covid Reflection

When I first started this year, it was extremely difficult for me. When I started Zoom, a lot of the classes glitched and froze up, every assignment was online, and my internet started to act up sometimes. Being on Zoom made me exhausted and by the end of the day, I felt unusually drained. I was one of the only people who were on Zoom, which made it even more tough. Also, I couldn’t do anything fun outside of school because of Covid. Nothing was going right and I was convinced that this year was going to be the absolute worst. A little later in the year, things started to look better for me. I was slowly getting the hang of things. Assignments were getting easier, I was more comfortable with my new teachers, and the vaccine for Covid was getting made. I started to look at the situation more positively. When I thought about all of the good things that had happened to me, my school life and personal life got a lot easier. Having great friends and amazing teachers also helped. Over the course of Covid, I’ve learned a valuable life lesson about how I shouldn’t take anything for granted.
Politz Day School - Ariel: 7th Grade Covid Reflection

Hi, my experience of learning during quarantine for COVID was stressful. Before the pandemic even started we went to school on the bus normally. We also had lockers just like normal. Then we started to hear things about the virus and that in Baltimore they had to social distance and wear masks. We thought it was never going to happen to us. But then it came and we had to go online for the rest of the year. Honestly at first I thought the quarantine was fun because we didn’t have to go to school in person. After a month I started to hate it. My focusing skills were terrible because we weren’t in person so I spaced out a lot. Learning in school during COVID was way better than online. Since we got back into school, I could learn much better so I made sure to take advantage and learn. But it was very different because we had all these restrictions. We had to stay 6 feet away from each other, wear a mask, we still needed to Zoom with the people that wanted to stay online, with the owl, and we had to sanitize our hands and everything we touched. You might wonder what the owl is? Well, it is a camera, speaker and a microphone all in one that is connected to the Zoom. The camera and microphone focus on the person that is talking at the time. School was harder than the previous years but I liked it better than zoom.
Politz Day School - Ofek: 7th Grade Covid Reflection

Hello, my name is Ofek B.. I am a student at Politz Day School and I am in 7th grade. Learning and COVID isn’t the best combination out there, and it isn’t always convenient. Usually, school is an open and a free place, but this year everything is different. In the beginning of the year, I was on Zoom, and in short, it was not easy. All the papers from the teachers came in late, and I didn’t get the same experience as the learners at school. I didn’t get the experience of being together with friends and there were also many glitches in the internet connection. The school and the teachers tried very hard but it was nearly impossible. After winter break it did come back, and I think that was the best decision for me! The most challenging part about learning during COVID is having to wear masks. Our science teacher says that it is much healthier because people aren’t getting sick, from even everyday colds, but it still isn’t enjoyable. Another reason it is difficult is the distance, because we had to keep a 6 ft distance from one another to follow safety precautions. Especially since we are older, all our lives we were used to having no restrictions and borderlines. Although the list of bad things about COVID and learning might be overwhelming, there are many great things about it. Even after going through all of the challenges, it somehow got us closer to one another, even if it wasn’t physically. We still got to see each other each day at school. The teachers also tried to make fun programs to make the day a little more joyful. COVID was both an uplifting and difficult time.
Politz Day School - Pardes: 7th Grade Covid Reflection

Have you ever wondered what Covid was like in 7th grade at Politz? It started in the middle of 6th grade and went through 7th grade. When it first started, we were learning online. We went on to Zoom every day and had our classes from our homes. When 7th grade started, we were in person but then one week in we had to close for two weeks because someone had symptoms. It was annoying to go back onto Zoom. We were so excited about going back even though we had to wear face masks and be 6 feet apart all the time. When you first get to school, they take our temperatures and our parents fill out a health form making sure we are feeling fine. All these things that we have to do during Covid are annoying but it is worth it to be in school with all our friends. There were many challenges throughout the year. It was very frustrating because the internet would get glitchy and you couldn’t hear the teacher sometimes. The face masks were really hard and sometimes you wanted to rip them off. Covid at school is very difficult but there were some nice things about it. School during, Covid also had its advantages. When we were home, we could wear our pajama bottoms and eat whenever we wanted. We also did not have to wear a mask which gave my face a break. Even at school we were so happy to see our friends, so it was worth it to wear a mask. During the day, when we were busy with work, you kind of forgot that you were wearing a mask and sitting far apart from everyone. We also have these fun robots called Owls and they could show the whole class and it turned to you when you spoke. They helped a lot if you were a virtual learner. It is a fun experience at school during covid. I have learned so many things since Covid. I realized being close to your friends and having playdates and sleepovers was a big part during the school year. I was very grateful that our school was in person for 7th grade and that we didn’t have to be online. I thought that it would be very frustrating to not see my friends for a while but we made it work and I got to see them outside. I think Covid was an experience I will never forget.
Politz Day School - Lev: 7th Grade Covid Reflection

It was a Friday which we would soon find out to be the last day of school for the rest of the year. My two oldest brothers came home from yeshiva in Connecticut and for the first couple days we thought it was awesome to be on Zoom. Our school days were much shorter and we never were able to pay full attention to class. Very quickly we realized that this was not going to be fun. It was harder for me to learn properly and we weren’t having a good daily schedule. The teachers had a much harder time controlling what we did. Most kids enjoyed being at home and doing what they wanted. We always tried to spend a lot of time outside so our brain wouldn’t fry from looking at a screen all day. When the school was over, we all hoped next year would be back to normal. After a summer that was fun, but a bit different, we were getting ready to prepare for school. I personally wasn’t able to decipher wearing a mask all day. When school started, it was very different and strange. In the beginning of school was very strict with COVID and we even had to quarantine for two weeks because someone came in contact with COVID. Slowly but surely more stuff was allowed like eating snacks during class if socially distanced. So overall there were good things and bad things. The main bad stuff were all the very annoying restrictions, Zoom school, and the worst was wearing masks. The main good stuff was we got to spend much more time as a family, and we went on very memorable trips together. So far, my COVID experience has had its ups and downs, and I hope it ends soon.
Politz Day School - Naohm: 7th Grade Covid Reflection

Throughout this pandemic life has been challenging in many different ways. In March 2020 Politz shut down due to COVID-19, and for two weeks the students were at home doing nothing. After two weeks of no school, Politz decided to start learning from Zoom. In the beginning we were having fun because we woke up at nine and class started at nine ten. All the kids were enjoying it until around May, when it was getting repetitive and some kids' grades were dropping because it was hard to focus. Personally my grades were going up and I was having a great time. Since school ended at two my mother and I used to go hiking or biking after school, and it felt like I was on vacation everyday. Personally COVID has made my life better and worse because my grandfather passed away but also I got to go on vacation and not have to miss school because there is Zoom. When we returned to school in September 2020 I was really excited to see my friends but when I first saw them it was pretty strange. We caught up on everything and throughout the year we have gotten closer as friends. Since two of our teachers were on Zoom we were kind of annoyed to have to learn through Zoom but we overcame it and we got used to it. In the beginning of the school year masks were really bugging us and we couldn’t stand wearing them especially because you had to social distance. Throughout the school year everyone got used to wearing masks and it was a normal thing to wear. About a month into school we had to learn from home because someone got COVID. It was pretty fun for those two weeks but during that break our ELA teacher/Middle School Principal resigned, it was really sad because she was such a good teacher. For a couple of months we had a substitute teacher until a fantastic ELA teacher came and made everything feel like normal again. Throughout the year we overcame all the tough challenges like wearing a mask, social distancing, Zoom, and especially COVID-19. Overall, this experience has changed my perspective on health issues and I feel pretty special to be a part of history.
Politz Day School - Yisrael: 7th Grade Covid Reflection

Covid-19 started in March. My friends and I thought it was great to be on Zoom for two weeks. It turned out that we were on Zoom for the rest of the year. It was terrible, we all hated Zoom. It was annoying having to wake up and go onto an iPad. Being on Zoom for the whole day was complete torture, having to look at an iPad when you can go outside and play. We all really enjoyed being on Zoom in the beginning, until it just got annoying to attend class. Sometimes, we couldn’t even speak, because we would just get muted by our teachers. Sometimes, you would get logged off of the meetings, and then you would be marked late for not coming on time. However, one of the greatest things about Corona was that we didn’t have to take finals and Terra Novas. The next school year began and the administration tried to make it a safe environment. We had to start wearing masks and stay in the same classroom all day. One of the worst parts during this time is that for some classes, we come in person to be on Zoom. We also don’t get to have field trips or have speakers come in. However, I am still thankful to have school in person as opposed to being home, on Zoom. It’s great everyday coming in to see my friends as opposed to seeing them on Zoom. My friends and I agree that we probably have the best classroom to be in during this time. We have a big room, with a ping pong table, and have shelves filled with books to read. During Corona there are ups and downs but we are all getting through it together.
Politz Day School - Racheli: 4th Grade Covid Reflection

It all started in 2020, rumors and stories. all anyone talked about was bats and China. Taking over my life and my family’s life COVID made it hard to be social especially in Las Vegas. With the temperature rising into the high nineties, I didn’t know how I managed to stay outside. School went on Zoom making it hard to learn and concentrate. Could a virus really change my life forever? It did. My family might not have moved to Cherry Hill if not for Covid-19. We were all at home and able to talk to each other about moving. It also would have been very difficult to be away from my friends, but if I was able to be away from them during Corona then I could do it when we moved. My summer plans were changed so I just packed up and played with my sister. Overall, the worst part for me was learning on Zoom. We found out Politz was opening in person. My mother and father were working online. I was excited about being able to see my friends, but there were masks, face shields, and social distancing. At first it was hard for me to follow all of these rules… but I got used to it. It’s been a long year and I hope that the vaccine will solve our problems. Stay safe and healthy.
Keeping It Cozy: Nourishment Inspo for a Socially Distanced Winter Shabbat

With colder weather comes new opportunities for creativity around the Shabbat dinner table — or Shabbat blanket, Shabbat fire pit, or Shabbat space heater. We’ve compiled a few of our favorite things you can purchase with Nourishment to make hosting outside safe, fun, and festive.