As community Covid death tolls hits 1,000, Chief Rabbi pays his respects - The Jewish Chronicle

Anglo-Jewry’s leaders expressed deep sorrow as the community’s Covid-19 death toll passed 1,000 this week.

Speaking to the JC, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis reflected on how the trauma of losing loved ones in the pandemic has been exacerbated by restrictions on hospital visits and funerals.

He said: “We mourn the loss of every person who has died as a result of the pandemic and our thoughts are with their grieving families. For many of them, the trauma of losing a dear relative was compounded in ways we could never previously have imagined.”

But the Chief Rabbi added a note of hope amid the heartbreak.

He said: “As the world slowly begins to return to a more familiar rhythm of life, may the memory of those we lost continue to serve as an inspiration to us all to cherish the gifts of good health, a fulfilling life and loving relationships.”

The Board of Deputies reported six Jewish burials last week, bringing the total to 1,002 deaths. Board of Deputies president Marie van der Zyl expressed hope a memorial could be created for those who lost their lives to the virus.

She said: “This week we have reached a sombre milestone. Two years since the coronavirus pandemic reached the UK, we have recorded the 1,000th death in the Jewish community where the deceased was diagnosed with Covid-19.

“Every death is a tragedy and few if any of us have been untouched by this pandemic. It is my earnest hope that we will soon be able to create a proper memorial to those who died. In future years, while we carry on with our lives, we must never forget those whom we lost in the worst health crisis of any of our lifetimes. May their memories be for a blessing.”

United Synagogue chief executive Steven Wilson said the death toll was a “sombre reminder of the devastation wrought by the virus”.

British Jews were hit hard by the first wave. At its peak, a total of 104 burials reported in the week ending April 17 2020. The community later experienced similar mortality levels to London, where 70 per cent of its members live, research has shown.

Meanwhile, a nationwide decline in infections is likely to spark hopes of a fuller return to communal life this year, with Israel Tours revived after three years this summer.

Mr Wilson added: “As Covid restrictions end and people return to shul, this is an appropriate time to remember all those families who will have an empty chair at their Purim seudah and Seder table in the coming weeks. ”

The Movement for Reform Judaism said: “We are devastated by the news of 1,000 Covid deaths within the community here in the UK. Just as we are by the tens of thousands from all other faiths and none who’ve been lost to this terrible pandemic.”

Rabbi Charley Baginsky, Chief Executive of Liberal Judaism said: “It’s easy to forget as the world eases itself into a new reality of living with Covid, that people are still dying. Reaching this figure is a humbling reminder of all those we have lost, how hard our community — alongside every other one — has been hit and also the continuing affect this virus has on our lives.”