The ongoing spread of the coronavirus across the United States, Israel and Europe is leading to self-quarantine, event cancellations and widespread fear among the Jewish community.  

Spreading quickly: A Jewish lawyer in Westchester unwittingly transmitted the disease to nine other friends and family members, bringing the total confirmed cases in New York State to 11. The man remains hospitalized, and his wife, two children and a neighbor have tested positive for coronavirus. A friend of the family has also tested positive, along with his wife and three children. 

Shutdowns: The confirmed cases across Westchester led to the self-quarantine of more than 1,000 people, the suspension of activities at the Young Israel of New Rochelle, and the cancellation of classes at SAR Academy through next week and at Yeshiva University temporarily. A Jewish school in Baltimore sent home three students who may have had “indirect contact” with one of the patients. Nefesh B’Nefesh canceled an aliya fair slated for March 15 in New Jersey amid concerns.

No stigmas: Councilmember Mark Levine (D-Manhattan), former chair of the New York City Council Jewish Caucus, tells JI, “Once again Jewish New Yorkers are at the center of a public health crisis. And once again ignorance and prejudice are leading to scapegoating of the community. We need to do everything possible to ensure that coronavirus does not further exacerbate already surging antisemitism and that no group in this city is targeted as a result of this crisis.” Members of the community expressed concerns about being stigmatized due to the outbreak to LoHud.

Holy land: The Israeli Health Ministry is cracking down in an attempt to stop the spread of coronavirus, sending more than 50,000 people into mandatory home quarantine. With at least 15 confirmed cases in Israel, the Health Ministry has ordered anyone returning from France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany and Austria confined to home quarantine for 14 days. This is in an expansion of the restrictions already imposed on those coming from China, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, and Italy.

Big impact: El Al has laid off 1,000 employees and cut salaries of top management as it struggles with the fallout. Israeli Chief Rabbi David Lau advised Jews yesterday to forego the traditional touching and kissing of the “mezuzah” on doorposts to help prevent the disease’s spread. All IDF soldiers and all health workers in Israel are prohibited from leaving the country at all.

Cancellations: The ministry’s orders also banned any gatherings of more than 5,000 people, and any international conferences, leading to widespread cancellations of concerts, Purim parties, sports games and conferences across Israel. The Jerusalem Marathon, scheduled for March 20, has been postponed, the mayor said Thursday. Most sports games in Israel are now playing to empty stadiums.

Eyeing the U.S.: While there are currently no specific restrictions on travelers from the United States, the ministry said that anyone who attends a conference overseas must also observe a 14-day quarantine. The policy applies to all those returning from March 4 and forward, which could potentially include those at the recent AIPAC policy conference in Washington. AIPAC sent a warning to those at its conference earlier this week that a group of attendees were “potentially in contact” with an individual with confirmed coronavirus, though no attendees have tested positive so far.

NY-Jerusalem: One of the people in Westchester who tested positive for coronavirus visited Israel between the dates February 22-28. The Israeli Health Ministry released a detailed list of the woman’s activities in Jerusalem, including visits to shops, restaurants and travel on public transportation. The ministry ordered that anyone who was on the same El Al flights or visited locations at the same time as the tourist must enter quarantine for 14 days. 

Across the pond: A Jewish dentist in London tested positive for the virus yesterday and has been in self-isolation since he returned from a trip to Switzerland via Milan last week.

Longtime Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) announced on Thursday that she will not seek re-election for a 17th term next year.

Lowey, who represents New York’s Westchester and Rockland counties, is chairwoman of the powerful House Committee on Appropriations and head of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs subcommittee. In her role, Lowey recently secured funding to protect Jewish non-profits against terrorist attacks.

Lowey has been a staunch supporter of Israel in her 31 years in Congress and is a frequent speaker at AIPAC’s annual gatherings. In her most recent appearance at AIPAC Policy Conference in March, speaking alongside Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Lowey stated, “It is our honor to lead the committees that write nearly every piece of legislation that advances the strong U.S.-Israel relationship, which benefits the United States in meaningful and immediate ways.” 

The New York representative opposed the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, maintaining that the JCPOA “lacks a crystal clear statement” that the international community reserves the right to take all measures to deter Iran from ever developing nuclear capabilities. Over the summer, Lowey joined her colleagues in criticizing Israel’s decision to deny Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and Ilhan Omar (D-MN) from entering the country. 

Reaction: Ann Lewis, who served as White House director of communications for President Bill Clinton and is currently co-chair of the Democratic Majority for Israel, tells JI, “Lowey has been an inspiring leader ever since I met her. She was one of the first women to run successfully for Congress. While leading one of the most important committees in Congress, she established bipartisan partnership with her Republican colleagues and was an eloquent force for the U.S.-Israel relationship.” 

Cheryl Fishbein, President of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York said in a statement that Lowey “has been a true friend and a leader in every issue of importance to the Jewish community.” and has left “big shoes to fill.” Fishbein said that ,in her leadership position on the appropriations committee, Lowey “could do more to influence and advance a piece legislation than almost any other member, except for the Speaker.” 

William Daroff, the incoming CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, tweeted, “Congress is losing one of its most impactful members and greatest supporters of a strong US-Israel relationship. There is no doubt that Nita Lowey will be missed.” 

Halie Soifer, executive director of the jewish Democratic Council of America said in a statement that Lowey’s “wisdom and experience will be deeply missed in Congress when she retires.” 

Aaron Keyak, former head of the National Jewish Democratic Council, tells JI that Lowey’s decision “is a great loss” for the pro-Israel community. “She has been a true champion and one of the strongest to ever hold the gavel for the House Appropriations Committee,” he said. 

Top five: Mondaire Jones, who worked in President Barack Obama’s Justice Department, announced a primary challenge against Lowey earlier this year. Other candidates currently being discussed in Democratic circles are Westchester County Legislator Catherine Borgia, Assemblyman David Buchwald, State Senator David Carlucci, and Stephanie Hausner, a former Clarkstown councilwoman and the current deputy director at the Israel Action Network. 

Rumor mill: Chelsea Clinton has been floated in the past as a possible candidate for the seat, but has never publicly expressed interest in running. 

Democratic strategist Hank Sheinkopf tells JI that any replacement would lack Lowey’s influence in the Democratic party. As an “unabashedly pro-Israel member of Congress with the power generated by seniority,” Lowey is “an irreplaceable defender of the Israel” and there’s “no guarantee” that a newly elected Democrat will be as strong of a supporter of Israel, Sheinkopf explained. 

Next in line: Lowey’s possible replacements on the line on the Appropriations committee are Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Pete Visclosky (D-IN) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), who is an ally of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-TX) is a senior member on the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs subcommittee.