Nigeria:
“We over here in Nigeria are trying our possible best to isolate ourselves and also in Prayers. May the Holy one of Y’israel Blessed is He. hear our prayers and save his people as he saved the children of Y’israel from the land of Egypt at this very season of Peach in Egypt. I have been thinking and also praying for you and all our Jewish relatives to be safe.” – Sar Habakkuk (4/2/20)
Madagascar:
“Without any consultation, spontaneously each community decided to halt all gatherings, even before the malagasy government’s proclamation about the confinement on March the 22nd. Everybody is okay. There’s no case of anybody having contracted the virus among the community, and we’re strictly following the restrictions. I’m sending more Torah lessons via emails, since we can’t gather together. And we also have a private Facebook group to share our impressions and for the religious studies.” – Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Musan Gilay (3/26/20)
Italy:
“Italy is in total, country-wide lockdown and the effect on synagogues and other houses of worship has been great. Our synagogue, Ner Tamid del Sud (the Eternal Light of South Italy) has functioned for 14 years as an isolated community “So now we have masks and gloves!” said one congregant. We were asked by the Carabinieri (Italy’s State Police) to close the synagogue and of course we complied. Our conversion classes are now online and in front of my computer screen, I’ve led a rousing Purim service and demonstrated the Havdalah service. Shortly I will teach via computer how families can make an at home seder. We communicate regularly via Skype and Zoom and with the local priest, and his parishioners, we make meals for our elderly residents and deliver them to their homes. The situation here in Italy has brought our two congregations together in love and service.” – Rabbi Barbara Aiello
India:
“In this time of crisis, we are all very much happy to inform that even though the situation is hard outside we are able to connect all over Andhra Pradesh the state which we live daily through Zoom. We are having regular Torah Study with our members which helps us to sustain and grow spiritually without panicking and fear. As we put our Emuna (faith) and Bitachon (trust) in Hashem.” – Obadiah (3/27/20)
Zimbabwe:
“In Zimbabwe, we have recorded 3 cases and one death now. People’s movements have been restricted. Gatherings should not exceed 50 people. We at the Harare Lemba Synagogue have a WhatsApp group where we post lessons and update each other if anyone is not feeling ok. We have Rabbi Keith Flaks, Cantor Mike Stein, Rabbi Daniel Alter among others in the group. Virtual lessons will be very welcome.” – Modreck Maeresera (3/26/20)
“Things have changed. Gatherings of 50 people are no longer allowed. They are allowed only for funerals. This sadly means we can’t have a community seder in Harare and we might not have them in the countryside too. However we are organizing that each family unit will celebrate pesach . The most important thing they need is a Haggadah and we have printed those and we are distributing to families. Each family will also be provided with an allowance for wine and flour for baking Matzot . It will be a different pesach period during a very difficult time. But we will have something. ” – Modreck Maeresera (3/31/20)