By Alan Feiler and Aliza Friedlander | Photography by David Stuck
“The whole world is a very narrow bridge, and the most important thing is not to be afraid.”
— Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (1772-1810)
Easier said than done, right?
Psychologists generally define resilience as the ability to respond positively and proactively to adversity, anxiety, trauma, tragedy and stress. Perhaps no other time in recent memory has tested our collective sense of resilience and emotional equilibrium more than the global pandemic of the past year-and-a-half.
The devastating losses to COVID-19 have been staggering, and the pandemic’s long-term effects — physically, emotionally, spiritually and communally — remain to be seen.
But the silver lining is that we’ve all learned a lot about ourselves during this terrible time in world history, and many people have emerged stronger and more resolute in their faith, in themselves and in the essence of humanity.
The following are four stories of resilience and how many members of the Jewish community have remained “Baltimore Strong” during the pandemic. Their sense of preservation and perseverance serves as an inspiration about the capacity of the human spirit to find light during the darkest of times.
Coming into Focus
Robyn Stevens Brody employed her skills as a photographer to persevere during the pandemic.
Virtual Lessons
Educator Jill Caplan-Silverman learned how to up her game during the pandemic.
Motown Maven
Making Detroit-style pizza turned out to be Evan Weinstein’s saving grace during the pandemic.
The Jillian and Lindsay Wiener Short-Term Rental Safety Act requires rental companies to conduct annual fire inspections in Baltimore City and every Maryland county.
Reproductions of the murals, previously believed to have been lost, are now part of the Jewish Museum of Maryland's new permanent exhibition.
The donation will be directed to help foster research conducted by faculty at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and to advance innovative treatments.
Scholar Izabella Tabarovsky will speak at the “Generations of Courage” program on Apr. 26 at The Associated's Goldsmith campus.