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Monthly Issue/April 2020

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Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar-David: "I don't see leadership. Someone who will say: 'I understand the situation. We will reach into the government’s pocket and help out.'" (Photograph: Jonathan Blum)
"What is a state for, if not to care for its citizens in times of trouble?"
Exclusive interview with the chairman of the Histadrut, Israel’s largest trade union, during the greatest economic crisis Israel has ever seen. From his conversation with the Prime Minister: "I told him I believe things should be handled a little differently," | The role of the Histadrut in the crisis: "Tending to more than just our own affairs," | A conversation with Arnon Bar-David
By Omer Cohen, Tal Kaspin, Gil Plotkin 0
Students studying from home via distance learning, Mar. 18, 2020 (Photograph: Yosi Aloni/Flash90
The Parable of the Teachers
Solidarity, unions and the needs of society – Israel’s teachers of COVID-19: a case study. The story of the teachers who faced it all and won: taking the classroom online, supporting isolated students and their parents, and through it all, battled Treasury threats and accusations | Eventually, they got the recognition and compensation they deserved
By Caden Feldman-Gubbay 0
Aviv and the mass-production line for ventilators (Photograph: Michael Vinersky)
And They Shall Beat Their Swords into Plowshares
"This is a different kind of war": producing ventilators instead of missiles. This month, a missile production line in a classified IAI compound has been converted into a mass-production line for ventilators | Aviv, an employee of the company: "Everyone in the company wants to volunteer. It feels like a shared mission."
By Nizzan Zvi Cohen 0
Members of the Cart cooperative work inside the store during COVID-19 (Photograph: Cart cooperative)
Our Store Has No Queues
A unique cooperative in Mitzpe Ramon triumphs over price-gauging during COVID-19. "We work not for profit, but to best meet the needs of buyers and employees. We are a business that makes decisions democratically, and this method turns out to mitigate all kinds of risks - especially in times of crisis," explains one of the founders of the Cart cooperative
By Shalom Danoff 0
Histadrut Chairman, Arnon Bar David and Treasury Wages Commissioner, Kobi Bar Natan
Splitting the Tab
Public sector workers will remain on paid leave until the end of April. Half the funding will come from the workers' annual leave and half will be paid for by employers | The agreement replaces a previous one due to expire on Thursday | The goal of the agreement: to keep workers at home without layoffs
By Nizzan Zvi Cohen 0
A medical student volunteers at a Magen David Adom coronavirus testing site (photo: Dean Ariel, medical student, Federation of Israeli Medical Students)
Exploiting the Volunteers?
How can the government send people to the frontlines of the war against COVID-19 without compensation? The goodwill of Israeli medical students has been co-opted and exploited | One student: “Those of us performing the dangerous work of coronavirus testing should be able to pay rent”
By Dafna Eisbruch 0
El Al plains freighting eggs to Israel, a commodity in need during the COVID-19 crisis, April 7 2020 (Photograph: El Al)
Not Cleared for Take-off
Governments around the world are supporting their national airlines - what will become of El Al? The aviation industry around the world has suffered from the COVID-19 crisis | Most countries recognize airlines as essential to reviving the economy | In Israel, the Ministry of Finance is demanding bailout preconditions of widespread layoffs and budget cuts
By Jonathan Kershenbaum 0
Collective agreement in Israir (Photograph: Eran Kauphman)
"Joined Hands"
Solidarity: A temporary collective agreement at Israir Airlines will prevent layoffs during the COVID-19 crisis. The Histadrut and the airline management have signed a collective agreement regulating the salary conditions of pilots | All 60 company pilots will continue to work with reduced wages
By Nizzan Zvi Cohen 0
Photo: Childcare for children of Padeh-Poriya Medical Center workers (Photograph: Alon Oppenheimer)
Daycare at the Hospitals
Supporting the warriors at the frontlines: Get to know the people enabling medical staff to come to work with minds at ease. Organizations and volunteers are helping to operate child care programs for children of hospital workers treating patients during the COVID-19 crisis | They take the childrens’ temperatures every morning, they limit physical contact as much as possible, and they talk with the children about the virus forcing their parents to bring them for long days of “hospital camp.”
By David Twersky 0
Sari Levi - Social Worker for Elderly Protection Laws, Jerusalem Municipality (Photograph: courtesy of the subject)
Caring for Jerusalem's Elderly
“Many old people asked us to call again, not because they needed anything, but for the company." | The Essentials. Sari Levi | Social Worker for Elderly Protection Laws, Jerusalem Municipality | 42 years old, married with three children | Lives in Jerusalem
By Tal Carmon 0
View of closed shops in the empty Dizengoff Center, in Tel Aviv on March 19, 2020.The government orders all bars, restaurants and malls to close in an effort to contain the spread of coronavirus. Photo by Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90
Thrown into uncertainty
In Israel, working teenagers find themselves excluded from unemployment benefits. Many teens work to supplement their families’ incomes, often in industries that are among those most severely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis | Efrat Rafaelov: "We depend on our salaries, we must receive compensation."
By Yael Elnatan 0
Near the seder on Iros HaNegev Street in the Neveh Noy neighborhood of Beer Sheva. “We understood that we are not alone.” (Photographed by Niv Kadoori)
Seder in Lockdown
Each family separate, the whole neighborhood together. On the odd-numbered side of the street: Residents of one street in Beer Sheva found a way to celebrate the Seder together | Carmela Uzan, organizer of this original event, tells us how the idea came about, how it was organized, and how the evening went: “It was just fun. A truly unique evening.”
By Raz Rotem 0
(Lockdown (Image: Shutterstock
Freedom During Lockdown
Why is COVID-19 Passover different from all other Passovers? Our Seder night will not include our extended family and the food will probably be less lavish | More importantly, what are we to make of freedom during lockdown? | Plato offers his perspective
By Caden Feldman-Gubbay 0
Matzot Aviv factory production line in Bnei Brak, during COVID-19 crisis, April 5, 2020 (Photograph: Roi Wolf)
Bring on the Matzos
In the heart of Bnei Brak, despite the strict lockdown, Matzot Aviv factory produces matzos around the clock. The factory, located on the main street of the city overwhelmed by COVID-19, has adapted its operations to Ministry of Health directives and is facing a 20 percent increase in demand | "There will be enough matzos," reassures VP Roi Wolf, promising there will be no price increase
By Yael Elnatan 0
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