When Ash Shenker logs into the computer every day, he is not wearing pajamas or tracksuits – ???? like many Australians locked out – but rather two black boxes with leather straps
He places one box on his hand, the other on his forehead, and wraps the black straps around his left arm, hand and middle finger
These items are known as tefillin, or phylacteries, and they are worn by Orthodox Jewish men including M Shenker â ???? during prayer
It’s an ancient ritual, but in the COVID era the practice has become linked, if not improved, to technology
« Our faith is to dedicate ourselves to the daily observances and to fulfill these commandments, » says Mr. Shenker
Like communities in Australia, Orthodox Jews have embraced video calling to connect and worship In M’s hometown Shenker, Melbourne, synagogues have been closed for months
And this week the inability to come together was particularly felt. Last weekend the community celebrated Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and today is Yom Kippur It is known as the day of atonements and considered the holiest day in the calendar
Tyla Chapman, an education student also living in Melbourne, says it’s the day of the year when all Jews … even those who are not particularly religious connect with their faith
« It’s not just the atonement for your sins, » says the 22-year-old, one of seven filmmakers featured in ABC’s Lockdown Stories series, which premieres at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday night
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« It also reflects who you are as a person and how you can improve yourself every day, to make those around you happier and to feel like you are living a more useful and meaningful life »
Yom Kippur is traditionally observed with a 25 hour fast, followed by prayer, synagogue services, and a feast with the extended family
While grateful to live under the same roof as her children, Tyla’s mother Linda says she fails to interact with her community in person and observe ancient religious rituals
« It was almost like grains of sand that we all try to hang onto – we have tenaciously maintained the bond [with our faith] for 2000 years, » she says
For M Shenker, there are correlations between the difficulties of 2020 and the hardships Jews face historically
« When we think of our ancient ancestors in the days of Egypt, we cannot compare the direct situation they found themselves in, but the concept of being isolated and refraining from your civil liberties , in a way, we can resonate with that, ”he says
« We can learn from their courage and dedication and make it relevant today »
Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann of the ARK Center in Melbourne agrees that Yom Kippur themes are particularly relevant during a global pandemic
This year, the prayer of Kol Nidre – ???? traditionally sung in synagogues on the eve of Yom Kippur – ???? will take place inside the house
According to Rabbi Kaltmann, it is a prayer in which Jews cancel all negative thoughts they have clung to
« I free myself from these emotions, I open up and leave again », he says
« [This is a moment to realize] this life given to me is special, and I am not going to waste it »
But Rabbi Kaltmann knows that not everyone in his community will be able to let go of their negative thoughts while the lockdown is maintained
« I’m dealing with people who have lost their jobs and can’t get up in the morning, » he says
« They have their children at home and their wife runs the household because they suffer from depression »
Since the first wave of COVID-19, the ARK center has operated a kitchen with volunteer staff and sent meal and care packages to isolated, vulnerable and lonely residents
Rabbi Kaltmann says he has been overwhelmed by the generosity of people who want to give their time and money
« We raised thousands of dollars and partnered with our local MP to distribute food to people going through tough times, » he says
« We are all going through this difficult time together, but in the end we came together. The kitchen at [ARK Center] cannot meet the demand of people wanting to pay in advance to send someone a meal. »
« Since the initial lockdown, a whole community has taken action, it was a whole army of Jewish psychologists, teachers, yoga teachers, food delivery people, » says Linda
« I logged in with them to get a drop of kosher meat, it was delivered to my door while we were in isolation and could not get out »
Last week, like Jews around the world, Chapmans celebrated Rosh Hashanah with another Jewish culinary tradition – ???? soaking the apple in honey – which is supposed to represent the hope of a « sweet new year »
« It’s very interesting to be welcoming in a sweet year in a dark time, » says Tyla
« But I guess it’s cool that we can start the year on the lowest foot, then only go up »
ABC TV is broadcasting a special, Yom Kippur in Lockdown, at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, September 27 The program will also be available to stream on ABC iview and on the ABC Religion & Ethics Facebook page
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AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time, which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)
Yom Kippur 2020, Yom Kippur
World News – AU – Keep Calm and Kosher: Melbourne Jews Lockout Yom Kippur
