As I was walking from the Greek Club of Jerusalem in the Greek Colony towards the main street of the German Colony, “Emek Refaim” I bumped on a group of people praying outdoors. I had seen this group before praying there and now it was indeed confirmed to me that the male synagogue goers of the Turkish synagogue located a three minute walk away, now congregate outdoors on the intersection between Yehoshua Bin Nun and Naftali Streets.
Synagogues have had to remain shut since the coronavirus season officially started in Jerusalem around March 15th and will remain closed till further notice. And so are churches and mosques.
This time around, I overcame my initial “political correctness” and took out my phone to film the occasion. Beyond just filming the occasion as a bystander, I asked one of the synagogue goers Guy Sebag for a short interview posted below.
It seems the coronavirus has pushed many people and communities in becoming more creative about how to congregate in this new age. People are also finding new ways to shop, teach and conduct business.
I am excited to be sharing these creative initiatives with you and documenting this new coronavirus-led creativity bursting from all corners of Jerusalem as I witness it.
From Jerusalem with love,
Yvette Nahmia-Messinas