Israel is slowly beginning a return to normality. After such a traumatic and dramatic response to the Covi19 19 pandemic, one that was necessary in order to contain the spread of infection, reduce the loss of life and also to prevent the health system from overload and collapse, the recovery process will be long and complicated.

No one knows how our world will be changed by this pandemic.  We are witnessing new standards of behavior such as the wearing of facial masks when in public places and social distancing. How will the fear of a second, perhaps third wave influence our daily lives, stores, social life, cultural and sporting events? Nobody knows.

One thing is certain, times are changing. We can only hope that, even with the challenges the pandemic throws at us, the changes will, for the most part, be ones that we are able to adapt to, changes that, perhaps, will only be necessary for an unknown period of time.

But as Israel begins the slow road to recovery, we listen with deep concern, to the news from the United States with more than 80,000 deaths and almost 1.5 million people infected.  Our hearts go out to the people of the United States, their families, and friends.

As you have stood with us throughout Israel’s turbulent history, so we stand with you.  We are praying for you, our friends, and supporters. We are praying for the United States, for the heroes in the medical services, firefighters, and paramedics, those forced to remain in isolation, those without jobs. We know that you will see through these troubled times. We know that the strength and resilience of the American people will come to the forefront and that you will recover and will come back from this crisis.