Local Jewish News

News, Info & Resources for the Cleveland Orthodox Jewish Community

Guidance in Times of Crisis; Resources from Naaleh and Chai Lifeline

Leave a Comment

Naaleh Cleveland has asked Rabbi Dr. Dovid Fox, Director of Chai Lifeline Crisis Intervention, Trauma & Bereavement Department, to provide guidance regarding children attending levayos and shiva. If the video doesn’t load, visit https://vimeo.com/791209224.

Please share this message with anyone who can use the support.

If you or someone you know needs help, reach out to Chai Lifeline at crisis@chailifeline.org or 855-3-CRISIS.

 

All Flights Grounded

Leave a Comment

Update 1:05pm: Flights seem to be resuming.

As of noon Wednesday, every flight in the United States has been grounded. Please plan accordingly.

Causes seem to involve a problem with the Federal Aviation Authority’s computer systems.

The cause of the problem with a pilot-alerting system, which delayed thousands of flights in the United States, was unclear, but U.S. officials said they had so far found no evidence of a cyberattack.

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-faa-says-flight-personnel-alert-system-not-processing-updates-after-outage-2023-01-11/

 

Dave's Electric - Residential & Commercial

Mayfield Heights Walmart to Close

Leave a Comment

The Walmart store in Mayfield Heights will close its doors next month, a company official confirmed with 3News on Tuesday morning. The store, which is located at 6594 Mayfield Road, will be closed to the public by Friday, May 20.

Full story at wkyc.com

870 Children Vaccinated by JFSA

Leave a Comment

At vaccination clinics conducted throughout the community by the Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland, over 2,300 adults and children have received COVID vaccinations to
date. Of that total, 870 children have been immunized.

Many disabled and elderly members of the community, who might otherwise have not been able, received their shots at these clinics. All of the vaccinations were provided at Alyson’s Place, the medical clinic at JFSA in partnership with MetroHealth. “Kids and parents are thrilled to get their shots and the staff and the volunteers have been exceptional,” said Nata Mendlovic, chief operations officer of Alyson’s Place. JFSA caregivers and their families also received their vaccines at these clinics, insuring that JFSA clients could be safe and remain healthy.

Local physicians and nurses have volunteered their personal time to administer the vaccine shots, while community volunteers have also helped registering people and making sure the process is easy and efficient for everyone.

Registration is easy and quick. Sign up now before the clinic date fills up!

Upcoming JFSA Vaccine Clinics

For more information, contact Nata Mendlovic at 216-755-1123.

Computer Problems? Gardin Technologies

Updated: Heavy Police Activity in CH

1 Comment

9:00 P. M. Heavy police activity now reported in the area of Washington and South Taylor. Reports of police with assault rifles and K9 unit actively searching the area.

8:00 P. M. No longer police activity in Derech HaTorah area of South Taylor.

1/2/22 6:52 P.M. Police activity in the area of Yeshiva Derech HaTorah on Taylor Road has been reported. Police are reported to be searching the area with their weapons drawn actively looking for someone. Please avoid the area, lock your doors, and exercise extreme vigilance.

Dec. 23, 2021 Omicron Update by Mendel Singer PhD MPH

Leave a Comment

Mendel Singer Case Western Reserve UniversityThe new COVID variant, Omicron, is causing COVID cases to skyrocket, including in our community. Below is a summary of key things to know based on what we know so far. A more detailed report follows the summary.

Summary

Omicron is much more transmissible: 2x as much as the Delta variant, 4x as much as the original COVID. But cases rise exponentially, so each doubling of the transmission rate results in much more than a doubling of cases.

Omicron seems to be more mild, though we’re still figuring out how much is due to Omicron and how much is due to protection from boosters and more people with prior COVID infection. Even if more mild, with so many more cases it will stress the health care system.

Vaccination helps. Recent booster provides about 75% protection against getting infected, but probably over 90% reduction in hospitalizations and deaths. Two shots from a while back has much less protection against infection, but still reduces severe cases by about two-thirds.

Prior COVID infection and no vaccination – there are lots of reinfections, but they tend not to be severe cases. Less clear about people who had COVID as long ago as the first wave, March-May 2020.

Vaccination reduces spread by reducing the number of cases and for those getting infected anyway, by being infectious for a shorter amount of time.

Antibody treatments for previous COVID variants was very effective, but it seems that only one of the three treatments (sotrovimab – made by GlaxoSmithKline) works against Omicron and is in short supply already. This will be problematic for high-risk patients.

New Pfizer pill (Paxlovid)  was just approved and will work great against Omicron – but it will be a while before there is much supply. It won’t help much with this wave. The Merck pill (Molnupiravir) was also just approved – not as good as Pfizer’s and with more side-effects, but will help while supplies of Pfizer are limited.

Bottom Line

Even if we will all eventually get COVID, there’s value in boosters and mitigation methods, as excellent treatments are not far off. That’s aside from trying not to overwhelm the healthcare system, which can lead to worse outcomes for COVID and non-COVID patients and increase the incredible burnout rate in health care workers. And let’s not forget that there are people whose health prevents or limits benefit from the vaccine, so reducing spread protects them as well.

Vaccination and booster shots make a difference, both protecting yourself and others. People who are at higher risk for severe COVID should be more careful, e.g. consider wearing KN95 masks as opposed to surgical masks. It should be noted that some people don’t realize they are at higher risk, e.g. Age 55+ and very overweight. Also, with COVID rates high and rising in our community, people with even mild symptoms should be quick to suspect COVID and get tested.

Click here to read the rest of the update with more info and details

Updated: Water Boil Advisory Including Lyndhurst and South Euclid Through Wednesday

Leave a Comment

Alert Exclamation Red Icon

Update: The boil advisory no longer includes University Heights.

Cleveland Water has issued a water boil advisory due to a water main break. The affected area includes University Heights, South Euclid and Lyndhurst. The map currently displayed on the website does not match the areas stated in the posting.

DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT FLUSHING AND BOILING IT FIRST. Flush all taps used for drinking and cooking for at least 3 minutes. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for at least one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.

Waterborne illness may include nausea and stomach discomfort. If you experience one or more of these symptoms and they persist, contact your doctor. People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly people may be at increased risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.

https://www.clevelandwater.com/blog/boil-advisory-issued-customers-highland-heights-richmond-heights-lyndhurst-south-euclid-euclid

Clocks Change this Motzei Shabbos

Leave a Comment

Repost because once a year we can laugh at an old joke.

This weekend clocks are moved back one hour. While the official time to do this is 2am Sunday morning, you can just do it before you go to sleep; definitely before Sunday morning carpool.

Practically speaking, the change means that Sunday morning you gain one (measly) hour of sleep which you already used Motzei Shabbos staying up later. It also means that for the next four months you’ll practice subtracting an hour from the time on your car’s clock, and that darkness will fall an hour sooner but hey, we’re Cleveland, we’re used to not seeing the sun.

Joking aside, this change affects halachic zmanim. Please remember to pay attention to the new zmanim going forward.

Mayfield Village to Begin Using Traffic Camera on 271

Leave a Comment

On the stretch of 271 between Wilson Mills Road and nearly Ridgebury Boulevard, Mayfield Village will begin using a human-operated speed camera and mailing tickets to offenders. The Mayfield Village council unanimously approved the move which is expected to begin mid to end of October.

Those driving to/from Wickliffe should especially beware.

More information at Cleveland.com.

$50 For Your Thoughts on COVID/Vaccination; and Help the Klal! Last Chance!

Leave a Comment

Logos of companies of the United States, Logos of financial services companies, PD textlogo, Simple text logos, Visa Inc., With trademarkFrum Community COVID-19 Survey Must enter by Tuesday!

Fill out an online, anonymous survey and enter a raffle to win a $50 pre-paid VISA card (twenty winners!). This anonymous survey, being done in Orthodox Jewish communities across the US and Canada, is endorsed by HaGaon HaRav Noach Isaac Oelbaum.

We will share a summary of the results to help doctors and organizations better serve our communities.

The survey is being conducted by the following frum professionals:

  • Mendel Singer, PhD MPH, Case Western Reserve U. School of Medicine, Cleveland
  • Lee Caplan, MD MPH, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta
  • Ephraim Shapiro, PhD MPA MBA , Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
  • Rabbi Reuven Becker, MS Ed MBA, L’Orech Yomim Center, New York

Questions to mendel.singer@case.edu

Frum Community COVID-19 Survey: https://cwru.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4IrUgd7MgQyD5Hw

$50 For Your Thoughts on COVID/Vaccination; and Help the Klal! Last Chance!

Leave a Comment

Logos of companies of the United States, Logos of financial services companies, PD textlogo, Simple text logos, Visa Inc., With trademarkFrum Community COVID-19 Survey Must enter by Tuesday!

Fill out an online, anonymous survey and enter a raffle to win a $50 pre-paid VISA card (twenty winners!). This anonymous survey, being done in Orthodox Jewish communities across the US and Canada, is endorsed by HaGaon HaRav Noach Isaac Oelbaum.

We will share a summary of the results to help doctors and organizations better serve our communities.

The survey is being conducted by the following frum professionals:

  • Mendel Singer, PhD MPH, Case Western Reserve U. School of Medicine, Cleveland
  • Lee Caplan, MD MPH, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta
  • Ephraim Shapiro, PhD MPA MBA , Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
  • Rabbi Reuven Becker, MS Ed MBA, L’Orech Yomim Center, New York

Questions to mendel.singer@case.edu

Frum Community COVID-19 Survey: https://cwru.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4IrUgd7MgQyD5Hw

$50 For Your Thoughts on COVID/Vaccination; and Help the Klal! Last Chance!

Leave a Comment

Logos of companies of the United States, Logos of financial services companies, PD textlogo, Simple text logos, Visa Inc., With trademarkFrum Community COVID-19 Survey Must enter by Tuesday!

Fill out an online, anonymous survey and enter a raffle to win a $50 pre-paid VISA card (twenty winners!). This anonymous survey, being done in Orthodox Jewish communities across the US and Canada, is endorsed by HaGaon HaRav Noach Isaac Oelbaum.

We will share a summary of the results to help doctors and organizations better serve our communities.

The survey is being conducted by the following frum professionals:

  • Mendel Singer, PhD MPH, Case Western Reserve U. School of Medicine, Cleveland
  • Lee Caplan, MD MPH, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta
  • Ephraim Shapiro, PhD MPA MBA , Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
  • Rabbi Reuven Becker, MS Ed MBA, L’Orech Yomim Center, New York

Questions to mendel.singer@case.edu

Frum Community COVID-19 Survey: https://cwru.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4IrUgd7MgQyD5Hw

COVID19 Vaccine Letter from Rabbi Hirschfeld and Dr. Pollack

Leave a Comment

Dear Friend,

With Covid-19 case numbers on the rise again, we feel compelled, as members of the Bikur Cholim leadership team, to reach out and share our thoughts regarding the current situation. Jewish Cleveland can and should take an active role in preserving the health of our community.

As Yidden, we have long enjoyed certain freedoms, including davening in shuls and celebrating Yomim Tovim with family and friends.

Covid-19 threatens these very freedoms.

We see the vaccines as one of the strongest deterrents we have to curb the current spike in cases and to reduce hospitalizations and loss of life. Acting now may also help prevent the development of future variants and additional suffering.

The vaccines, which were developed using accepted scientific methods and have been endorsed by the FDA and CDC, have been proven safe and effective. Halacha obligates us to embrace established scientific practices that contribute to the well-being of all. It is considered a mitzvah to get vaccinated. This is supported by Gedolim and Rabbonim who guide Bikur Cholim in their activities.

We know these are difficult and stressful times for our community, and we want to remind you that Bikur Cholim is here for you to ease your healthcare burden.

K’Siva V’Chasmia Tova,

Boruch Hirschfeld
Rabbi, Congregation Ahavas Yisroel
Rabbinic Advisor, Bikur Cholim of Cleveland

Michael (Meir) Pollack, MD
President, Bikur Cholim of Cleveland

TODAY IS ELECTION DAY!

Leave a Comment

  • Watch this video to see why this race is so important: https://youtu.be/1Ow7YYAzrRU
  • Polls open 6:30 am – 7:30 pm.  Find your precinct at JewVote.org
  • You must request a Democratic Ballot.  This can be done regardless of what party you affiliate with.
  • There will be a very low voter turnout.  The frum community WILL be the difference!

The Election Is Now Through Tuesday August 3.

Leave a Comment

  • Watch this video to see why this race is so important: https://youtu.be/1Ow7YYAzrRU
  • You must request a Democratic Ballot. This can be done regardless of what party you affiliate with.
  • Election Day is Tuesday, August 3, 6:30 am – 7:30 pm. Find your precinct at JewVote.org
  • Mail-In Ballots must be postmarked no later than Monday, August 2
  • Early voting at the Board of Elections until Monday, August 2. See the times at JewVote.org
  • There will be a very low voter turnout. The frum community WILL be the difference!

The Election Is Now Through Tuesday August 3.

Leave a Comment

  • Watch this video to see why this race is so important: https://youtu.be/1Ow7YYAzrRU
  • You must request a Democratic Ballot. This can be done regardless of what party you affiliate with.
  • Election Day is Tuesday, August 3, 6:30 am – 7:30 pm. Find your precinct at JewVote.org
  • Mail-In Ballots must be postmarked no later than Monday, August 2
  • Early voting at the Board of Elections until Monday, August 2. See the times at JewVote.org
  • There will be a very low voter turnout. The frum community WILL be the difference!

The Election Is Now Through Tuesday August 3.

Leave a Comment

  • Watch this video to see why this race is so important: https://youtu.be/1Ow7YYAzrRU
  • You must request a Democratic Ballot. This can be done regardless of what party you affiliate with.
  • Election Day is Tuesday, August 3, 6:30 am – 7:30 pm. Find your precinct at JewVote.org
  • Mail-In Ballots must be postmarked no later than Monday, August 2
  • Early voting at the Board of Elections until Monday, August 2. See the times at JewVote.org
  • There will be a very low voter turnout. The frum community WILL be the difference!