Jewish New Year in the Time of Covid

October 20, 2020

Dear Friend,

The school year opened here in Israel on September 1st with a lot of questions because the number of Corona virus cases were rising. At Sasha’s school they planned a full weekly schedule of classes in “capsules” of 20 students or less for those in grades 1 through 6. The first week went well as we got into a routine. But early the next week a teacher at the school tested positive for Corona, resulting in several “capsules” began remote learning.

Soon, more teachers tested positive for Corona and the entire school moved to remote learning within the week. The number of cases in Israel grew daily. Government ministers argued about what measures to take and for how long. Finally, they decided that we had to return to a full lockdown starting on the eve of Rosh HaShana. So, Friday, September 18th we entered the lockdown which was supposed to last until the end of the Sukkot holiday, October 11th.

The number of new confirmed cases grew to over 9,000 quickly, and the lockdown was extended to October 18th. The plans are to open very slowly, so it looks as if Sasha will learn remotely for a while longer.

With the new lockdown we were forced into using the internet as the primary means of meeting with people. During Yom HaKippurim, I led three prayer times over Zoom and on the second night of the Sukkot holiday we invited people to join us in our Sukkah for another time of prayer. Heidi has organized times for prayer with women twice a week over Zoom and we’ve both continued to meet in our small groups as well as one-on-one, all over the phone or internet.

Our congregational meetings are broadcast live on YouTube and when allowed, inviting the limited number of individuals to come in person. The recent lockdown led us to design a new approach to our Shabbat services. This past week we began a two phase meeting, the first part being the usual broadcast of singing and the message, but adding a second Zoom meeting in which people share requests and testimonies, and then have a time of prayer together.

Spiritual growth is a difficult thing to measure. But it’s our hearts desire to see greater trust and dependence on the Lord during this time of confusion and uncertainty. Times of prayer seems to be a great way to encourage such growth.

On the home front, Heidi seems to be experiencing a small bit of improvement as she learns to better judge when she has reached her limits of strength and needs to take a break. She is completely off the pain medication she had been taking and seems to be over the side-effects that they were producing. We are trusting that God will continue to heal the nerve and to give her strength to return.

Sasha recently began meeting alone with her mother for an hour each week before they meet together with a therapist whose role is to help her mother learn to communicate with Sasha. It has been difficult for Sasha to trust the therapist. She hasn’t been willing to bring up issues during her times together. So, we’ll see in the upcoming weeks how she handles her fears and the issues with her mother as they arise.

Josiah has not been feeling well for some time now, and during the recent lockdown Heidi suggested that he take his blood pressure. It was very high, so he made an appointment with the doctor – and it was even higher! So he has begun taking medication to lower his blood pressure and will be getting a full check-up soon.

Michael and I have been able to continue meeting as he memorizes the last verses in the TMS and we study through the book of James. But it has been harder for Gal and I to get together. Thankfully, he has had regular work during this time when many are unemployed. But he often finds himself exhausted after his shift (which usually includes several hours of over-time) and so we haven’t been able to do more than text each other.

I also began meeting with Avi once again during the past weeks. He is currently working for the Bible Society managing the (new) local bookstore as well as taking a significant role in their translation projects. We had been meeting while he was still studying at the University of Haifa, and after touching bases it became clear that he needed some encouragement in his walk with the Lord, especially during this time when it has been difficult to meet with other believers.

As you pray please be asking the Lord to:

• Unite our congregation in prayer through our times on Zoom, motivating those who are finding it difficult to continue using the internet to not give up on meeting together.

• Continue to give Heidi healing, strength and wisdom regarding her health.

• Strengthen Sasha to lovingly bring up things that disturb her in conversations with her mother in meetings with the therapist.

• Give hearts to pursue and deepen their walks with the Lord to the men and women Heidi and I are meeting with over the internet, particularly Michael, Gal and Avi.

The last couple weeks Heidi has been working on finding our what families with school aged children need while they are learning remotely. So far she’s been able to find used computers, tablets and desks for those who needed them. The next tasks in matching younger students with older ones for extras lessons to help with math, Hebrew, science and Bible.

Know that we are thankful for the part you play with us in this ministry and for your faithful partnership with us in the Messiah. We appreciate you!

Yours in the Messiah,

Phil and Heidi