ToI Community update — Editor’s Note: Overreacting? * Zoom in on Israel’s poignant Memorial Day-to-Independence Day transition

Dear Community members, Gradually, in common with parts of the rest of the world, Israel has been tentatively easing its restrictions, hoping that the worst is over, at least for now, in the COVID-19 battle. The workforce is slowly being allowed to return, stores are reopening, schools may begin a resumption of some classes next week. Inevitably, Israel’s extremely low death toll, relatively speaking, is now prompting questions about whether the authorities overreacted. We’ve “only” had 200 people die, but the economy was plunged into meltdown. Maybe less extreme measures would have helped avoid at least some of the long-term economic impact, protected some businesses that might not now survive, and kept unemployment far lower than the skyrocketed 26%, at a relatively reasonable price of “just” a few more lost lives. In short, maybe we overdid it. But fighting an unfamiliar pandemic is not an exact science. The priority, as stated by Israel’s political leaders and medical experts, has been to preserve human life. And such comparisons as are possible — take a look at the tolls in Belgium, Sweden and the UK, for instance — would suggest that any significantly reduced restrictions would have meant thousands of Israeli dead. Medical staff at Shaare Zedek Medical Center’s coronavirus unit in Jerusalem observe two minutes of silence during the siren on Memorial Day, April 28, 2020 (Courtesy) Israel is today marking Memorial Day for its fallen soldiers and its victims of terrorism — men, women and children who lost their lives in the defense of this country and/or amid the hostility to this country. So anxious are the authorities to avoid handing COVID-19 further victims that the military cemeteries have been locked shut, today of all days, to prevent a spread of contagion among the bereaved. Tonight and tomorrow, as we mark the 72nd anniversary of our nation’s revival and mourning gives way to celebration, we will, similarly, be barred from mass events and required to keep our social distance. The collateral damage of Israel’s stringent restrictions is not to be dismissed; livelihoods have been ruined, mental equilibria shattered, non-COVID-19 medical priorities shunted aside. But the coincidence of the pandemic with this week’s resonant Israeli national days can only confirm that the authorities wisely chose directly protecting life, and particularly the lives of elderly, vulnerable, pioneering Israelis, as their core guiding imperative over the past few weeks. There’s really no such thing as “overdoing” that. — We are hugely appreciative that so many of you have been joining the Community. and thus helping finance the work of our reporters and editors. (If you haven’t yet joined, please do! And tell your friends! All The Times of Israel content remains open to all readers. But if that content matters to you, do please support us — for as little as $6 a month.) Also, we’re happy to announce the launch of a brand new ToI Community Page — just for Community members — where you can keep up with exclusive Community content, Community news, special offers and ToI stats. Bookmark it! (Note that you must be signed into the Community on your browser/device in order to access the Community Page.) — Two exclusive Community LIVE webinars this week TODAY: Please join social media editor Sarah Tuttle-Singer and editor David Horovitz for a ToI Community discussion about the poignant transition from Memorial Day to Independence Day in Israel. We’ll start right at that liminal moment here in Jerusalem: at 2:30 ET, 9:30 Israel time. Click the image above or the link below to join this webinar on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86268583484?pwd=VkZjdEwvdFlkbGYwUTROV3Y2SUJrQT09 Password: 563876 WEDNESDAY: Join us for a ToI Community conversation and musical performance from Yael Deckelbaum, the award-winning Israeli/Canadian singer-songwriter and activist. Yael is a founding member of the legendary trio Habanot Nechama and has performed onstage with Sir George Martin, Suzanne Vega, Chris Kornell, Livingston Taylor, Tom Chapin, Bobby McFerrin, and Matisyahu. Click the image above or the link below to join in on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8617986155 — ToI Community podcast preview — WhyWhyWhy! presents: Kaddish and a Shot of Bourbon On this week’s WhyWhyWhy! podcast, we hear from Bill Slott, a tour guide, kibbutznik and Times of Israel blogger. Bill managed to rejigger the ultimate collective experience — kibbutz life, Jewish worship and the need to recite the Kaddish mourner’s prayer — to comport with the corona-rules of social distancing. All with a little help from his friends. Bill Slott – tour guide, kibbutznik and Times of Israel blogger – on this week’s WhyWhyWhy! podcast You can hear the WhyWhyWhy! podcast here, or by clicking on the image above. WhyWhyWhy! is hosted by Miriam Herschlag and Noah Efron, and is a collaboration between The Times of Israel and TLV1 Podcasts. — April perks for ToI Community members: 10% off any custom photo bencher at Let’s Bench. Discount Code: 10TOI 10% off from BeerBazaar (English). Discount Code: TOI-COMMUNITY 20% off Gur Inbal’s ceramic art at ArtSource. Indicate you’re a member of the Times of Israel Community to receive discount. A 15% discount at Judaica Webstore. Discount code: TOI_15 A $100 voucher for a Hebrew course from eTeacher. Be well! David Horovitz Founding Editor, The Times of Israel You are receiving this email because you are subscribed to The Times of Israel's Daily Edition. If you would like to stop receiving editorial announcements, please click below to unsubscribe. Unsubscribe