It has been a week and a half like no other, as Yeshivat Frisch transitioned to online instruction. Frisch’s first day of remote classes began on Wednesday, March 11, with a Zoom address by Principal Rabbi Ciner. He began by reciting a perek of tehillim for all those affected by COVID-19. He also addressed the yeshiva about the importance of remaining in quarantine. Sometimes, we make an impact by doing something, and sometimes we make an impact by not doing something. In Frisch’s case, quarantine will contribute to making its own community and the wider community safer. Finally, Rabbi Ciner led the annual Shushan Purim “Let’s Make a Deal” with everyday objects from around his house! Then, at lunchtime, Frisch’s very own chef, Eitan Bernath ‘20 did an amazing “Quarantined Qooking” presentation—a mouthwatering Impossible Burger. Frisch also enjoyed pre-Shabbat words of inspiration from Associate Principal Rabbi Joshua Wald, and a post-Shabbat Havdala with Assistant Principal Rabbi David Goldfischer. It has been great to stay meaningfully connected with the Frisch community, together while apart!
On Thursday night, March 12, Dr. Eran Bellin, infectious disease specialist and professor of clinical epidemiology and population health at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, held a webinar for the Frisch community on the COVID-19 outbreak. His presentation was informative, thorough and clear, and emphasized that by taking decisive and heroic action to quarantine and socially distance ourselves, we may slow the spread of infection and save lives. The Youtube link to the webinar can be accessed via Frisch’s social media pages.
After a week and a half, students and faculty have grown more and more comfortable with the Zoom platform, and students’ learning—from critiquing Arduino codes in engineering class, to presenting sketches in art, to workshopping creative writing and Shakespeare plays—has been joyful, engaging and successful.
