Virtual Judaism: COVID-19 Forces Religious Practices to Go High Tech

Joseph Hershkowitz (pictured with his father), 13, recently held a virtual bar mitzvah while under coronavirus quarantine in New York. The ceremony was officiated remotely by Rabbi Binyamin Krauss, principal at Salanter Akiba Riverdale Academy, where the youngster is a student. Some 250 guests “attended” via the Internet. Hershkowitz read his Torah portion with his immediate family members, who were physically present, looking on and kvelling.
 
Quote: ““At the end of the ceremony, the teacher unmuted the other participants. The video call rotated through callers congratulating Hershkowitz with a hearty round of ‘Mazel tov.’ Many were his classmates, under quarantine in their family’s homes, dressed in sweatshirts and pajamas.” — article on CNN.com”
 
Source: cnn.com
 
Read about Joseph Hershkowitz’s virtual bar mitzvah — and watch the video — on CNN.com. >>
 
Read “Virtual Judaism: Jewish response to the Coronavirus” >>
 
Photo: cnn.com