Jewish Long Beach is working with all area Jewish agencies, congregations, and organizations to provide the community with relief and information as we navigate the COVID-19 crisis.
We established the Jewish Long Beach COVID-19 Relief Fund, which funds—in part or in whole—programs and services, delivered by Long Beach and West Orange County Jewish organizations that address and relieve the needs of our community’s most vulnerable. Jewish Long Beach has made an initial commitment of $55,000 to seed the Jewish Long Beach COVID-19 Relief Fund and is already in the process of awarding grants.
We are asking the community to help us at least double our impact by matching or exceeding our $55,000 initial investment. Every dollar helps a Jewish person in need weather this crisis, which has so profoundly impacted us all. One hundred percent of our commitment, along with all donor contributions to the fund, will directly support those impacted by the pandemic, and/or programs providing critical community services.
Please click on the button below to make a contribution or call us at 562.426.7601 ext. 1314. Leave a message and someone will return your call.
We recently hosted a Town Hall to answer as many questions as you might have regarding our efforts during this time. Click here to view the recording of that Zoom meeting.
In addition, we are making national, state, local and Jewish communal resources available to you and are adding information regularly, so be sure to return to this page often for the latest information.
GOVERNMENT RESOURCES
Los Angeles and Orange Counties have created repositories of information available to those seeking guidance. You can access Los Angeles County’s resources HERE and Orange County's. The City of Long Beach has it's own resource page with current information. The Long Beach Post newspaper maintains an updated blog with the latest news for greater Long Beach community.
FEMA has stepped in and created a rumor control webpage, so check here for the facts. The Jewish Federation of North America (JFNA) has added information on their website to help navigate the new legislation (the CARES Act) for small business owners and nonprofits. Another excellent resource for information compiled for all Californians is COVID Chai 1.
JEWISH RESOURCES
Social distancing does not mean social isolation. Our very own Alpert JCC has developed a way to keep you connected from home. Jewitathome.com provides a curated collection of resources in order that we may live a Jewish life even when we cannot gather physically. Also offering a bounty of virtual experiences for every age and interest is the Israeli-American Council. Check out their vast array of activities. For educational webinars and a collection of videos, plus live programming straight from Israel, check out Stand With Us. Are you missing a planned trip to Israel? Take a virtual one instead.
KEEPING CHILDREN OCCUPIED AND EDUCATED
For parents familiar with PJ LIbrary, this is a great time to revisit their website for a robust selection of activities perfect for quarantined families. TIME magazine has opened it's vaults and converted many of its educational resources for kids into a virtual smorgsabord of virtual delights - check out TIME for Kids, FREE access for the remainder of the year.
The California Science Center provides wonderful learning experiences for you and your kids, from daily demonstrations to livestreams with the scientists.
STAY IN SHAPE WITH THE "J"
Start your week with some virtual fitness classes led by our very own AJCC Fitness Instructors! Click on the links below to join the zoom calls (on the times listed below) or you can always access these links on our Fitness Virtual Connection Page.
MISCELLANEOUS RESOURCES
Many of us find ourselves attending countless Zoom conferences. It is unfortunate that trolls and groups spreading message of hate have found a way to hack into your conference call and post their own vile images. The ADL has advice for keeping your Zoom sessions safe. Zoom has also taken steps to increase their security.
For museum lovers, there is a host of amazing virtual tours from around the world. Some of the most touted sites are: Guggeheim Museum Bilboa; Van Gogh Museum; The British Museum offers a fascinating, and very detailed tour of its collections. My favorite museum has a curated online presence - visit the Barnes Museum in Philadelphia for a deep look into this premiere Impressionist collection.
In addition, Ben and Luke Wilson shared with us, what they describe as "awesome," this website for a great listing of virtual field trips: www.titlemax.com/articles/road-trip-from-home-virtual-field-trips. I personally liked seeing the Sistine Chapel without the crowds, but was disappointed to find the link broken on the Mount Everst site. Explore on your own! Thanks Ben and Luke.
If you are not already part of our e-mail list, please contact us at info@jewishlongbeach.org to be added. This will allow you to receive our frequent communications on COVID-19 and our ongoing efforts to respond. Also, be sure to follow Jewish Long Beach on Facebook and Twitter.
We at Jewish Long Beach wish you and yours strength and the very best of health during a challenging time for all of us. Please reach out to us if you have questions or need assistance.