It later emerged that the UK Jewry was hit hardest by deaths from coronavirus among Jewish communities in the world at the height of the first wave.
But every week, the JC brought news of the community banding together. Here is a look-back at our most important stories during the year life turned upside down for all.
February 21, 2020
The JC’s front page shows Orthodox men gathering at the Western Wall saying a prayer to stop the pandemic.
Orthodox men gather at the Western Wall to stop the spread of Covid-19[Missing Credit]
February 28
Israel’s Education Ministry halts Shoah tours to Poland for thousands of children as the pandemic sweeps the nation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tours the country trying to galvanise voters ahead of the March election while not shaking their hands, and Chief Rabbi David Lau warns people not to violate quarantine to go to shul.
March 13
Editor Stephen Pollard announces the JC will continuing publishing throughout the pandemic, “come what may”.
We release the scale of the crisis as plans up and down the country to visit Israel during Pesach are cancelled.
On March 23, Boris Johnson announces a nationwide lockdown.
Boris Johnson speaks during a Covid-19 pandemic virtual press conference inside the Downing Street Briefing Room. (Getty Images)Getty Images
March 30
The JC front page announces that the United Synagogue has closed all of its shuls, as care home visits are suspended and charity events cancelled.
The JC's front page on March 20, 2020[Missing Credit]
Meanwhile, the Board of Deputies promote community spirit by launching “Can I Help You?” cards, which can be printed out, filled in, and posted through letter box of neighbours.
April 9
The UK records its highest daily death toll at 938 deaths recorded in 24 hours.
It is a particularly hard month for British Jewry, when the number of deaths was almost four times (3.7 times) as high as the average for the time of year over the previous four years.
Professor David Katz, an emeritus professor of Immunopathology at UCL, identifies the “Purim factor” as having caused a higher infection rate among Jews.
Robert Jenrick pleads the community to adhere to lockdown rules, saying: “This will be a Passover like none of us have known before.”
April 13
Rabbi Avrohom Pinter - one of the most influential figures from within Stamford Hill's Strictly Orthodox community - dies aged 71 after contracting coronavirus.
Rabbi Avrohom Pinter, one of the most respected figures from Stamford Hill's Strictly Orthodox community, died after contracting coronavirus[Missing Credit]
April 14
A Borehamwood-based grassroots group set up an operation sending 950 meals a day to NHS medics.
A support network for NHS staff raised thousands of pounds, delivered hundreds of meals and enlisted a mini-army of mothers and children to create protective medical visors[Missing Credit]
April 17
The community adapts to the new normal. Virtual concerts are held over Skype at Jewish Care’s ten residential homes. The charity purchases iPads to keep residents digitally connected. Members of Liberal communities share photographs of their virtual Seders with the JC. Rabbi Schochet of Mill Hill Synagogue prepares an online Seder DIY guide for families making Seder night at home for the first time.
April 29
The rise in UK Jewish deaths from coronavirus finally starts slowing down, according to figures from the Board of Deputies.
Whereas the death toll leapt from 256 on April 16 to 335 eight days later – an increase of 79 – from April 24 to April 29 the increase was just 21 – from 335 to 356 in five days.
May 15
Jewish and Christian leaders, including Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, announce they will walk or run to hospitals to offer their heartfelt “thanks” in virtual pilgrimages to the nation’s essential workers.
The Chief Rabbi announces that shuls will be closed for the foreseeable to protect the community.
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Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis. (Getty Images)AFP via Getty Images
June 15
Places of worship are reopened for private prayer. The government creates a taskforce with faith leaders to plan for the phased reopening of religious buildings.
June 19
Jewish lawyer Elkan Abrahamson, who represented families of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, leads the campaign for a public inquiry into the government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis.
Supporters of Jewish Care respond to its challenge to “Go Purple” for some lighthearted relief.
Jersey Jews return to shul on Shabbat for a “weird and wonderful” first service in three months, with masks, social distancing and no singing.
Charedi buildings open for private prayer with two-metred distancing.
On June 23, Jonhson says the UK’s “national hibernation” is coming to an end, and announces the relaxing of restrictions and the two-metre social distancing rule.
Dogs take part in Jewish Care's "Go Purple" challenge[Missing Credit]
September 28
Manchester King David High announces face coverings will be compulsory for the new school term.
September 11
Synagogues in key Jewish areas reconsider their Yomtov provision as cases soar. Students from JFS, JCoSS and Hertsmere Jewish Primary self-isolate.
November 5
Johnson announces that England would go into a second lockdown.
The community, led by the Chief Rabbi, rallies against a ban on collective worship.
December 8
Grandmother Margaret Keenan from Coventry becomes the first person in the world to get a clinically-approved Covid-19 jab.
December 17
Inspired by the need to offer food outside their premises, the owners of Kosher restaurants are prompted to set up separate outlets outside their eateries, allowing them to serve both meat and milk-based dishes to customers.
January 8, 2021
Joy and hope spread across the community as vaccines finally reach care homes.
The Chief Rabbi says it’s a “religious imperative” to get the jab.
The first phase of Israel’s vaccination drive sees nearly two million people receive their first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech.
February 17, 2022
The death toll in the Jewish community hits 1,000.
February 21
Prominent figures in the community wish the late Queen Elizabeth II a speedy recovery after she revealed she had tested positive for Covid.
April 12
The Board of Deputies issues its last regular update on Jewish Covid deaths, reporting that there four Covid-related burials in the week ending April 1.
