14 March 21 • 2019
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continued from page 12
jews d
in
the
parents they can vaccinate their infants
as early as 6 months but any baby
receiving an early first dose must get
the shots again at 12 months and at age
4. Concerned parents can give their
child the second dose 28 days after the
first shot. She doesn’
t recommend early
doses unless a child has been exposed
or potentially exposed.
Immuno-compromised individuals
also are unable to receive the vaccina-
tion, according to Lauter.
TAKING CAUTION
“Being cautious is important,
” said
Faber, who suggests unvaccinated chil-
dren avoid public areas. “Otherwise,
there is no reason to avoid going out.
”
Still, the case has some individuals
concerned. Ben Jacobovitz of Oak Park
worries about his 8-month-old son
being exposed if others in the commu-
nity contract the disease. At press time,
no secondary cases have been report-
ed, the health department stated.
“
All the festivities surrounding
Purim (Thursday) such as the Megillah
reading, seudahs (special Purim meals)
and delivering of mishloach manot,
seemed like a perfect
place for this to spread,
”
Jacobovitz said. “I hate
having to worry about
something I shouldn’
t
have to worry about,
but I am concerned the
vaccination rate in our
community may be less than optimal.
”
He was deciding whether to vacci-
nate his son before his first birthday;
he plans to keep him home on Purim.
Erin Stiebel was also erring on the
side of caution last week when she sent
her mother to One Stop — without
her children — to buy treats for their
mishloach manot.
Others in the community are less
concerned. A Yeshiva Gedolah rabbi,
preferring anonymity, said school
officials are not worried the infected
individual visited the yeshivah because
“we have a very strong vaccination pol-
icy and everyone here — teachers and
students — are vaccinated.
”
A spokesperson from One Stop
Kosher Market, also anonymous, said
that since the grocery store was iden-
tified as one of the places of potential
exposure, there has not been a decrease
in business.
“People are asking questions, but
we really don’
t know anything more
than what everyone was told. We don’
t
know who it was. We don’
t know what
time he was here. We really don’
t have
any more information.
”
Unfortunately, cases of measles are
not unknown to the Jewish commu-
nity. In the fall, members of a local
Orthodox family contracted the dis-
ease. And, according to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention
website, last year there were 17 measles
outbreaks in the United States. Three
of those outbreaks occurred in New
York and New Jersey and contributed
to the majority of the cases.
“Cases in those states occurred pri-
marily among unvaccinated people in
Orthodox Jewish communities. These
outbreaks were associated with trav-
elers who brought measles back from
Israel, where a large outbreak is occur-
ring,
” the CDC website reported.
This year, from Jan. 1, 2019, through
March 7, 2019, there were 228 con-
firmed cases of measles in 12 states.
Between March 2018 and January
2019, more than 3,400 people living
in Israel were infected with the dis-
ease, according to the State of Israel
Ministry of Health website.
In November, Erin Stiebel, also an
educator at Partners Detroit, canceled
a Partners’
Israel trip designed exclu-
sively for young Jewish couples and
their babies under age 1.
Six families were scheduled to par-
ticipate in the 10-day trip when the
number of reported measles cases
became highly concerning. After mon-
itoring the situation closely and con-
sulting with various medical experts,
they decided to cancel the trip a few
days before their departure date.
“The risk was just too high for what
we felt was a luxury trip to Israel,
”
Stiebel said.
Whenever there is word that the
Orthodox community is impacted by
a case of the measles, there are those
who feel it puts the community in an
unnecessarily negative light.
“This community is very health
aware and as likely as any other popu-
lation to vaccinate. From this particu-
lar story, I think we can see a beautiful
part of our community and how we
open our doors to complete strangers
and help with donations,
” said Rabbi
Simcha Tolwin, executive director of
Aish HaTorah Detroit. ■
Ben Jacobovitz
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2 5 38 —
—
—
U M S.
O R G
Sunda
y
,
Apr
il
7
//
4
pm
Ra
c
k
ha
m
Audit
or
ium
Seder led by
Rabbi Steven Rubenstein.
Special activities for the kids.
1st Night Seder
Friday, April 19 at 6:30 p.m.
Experience the freedom of Passover
and enjoy a delicious meal
without the cooking and cleanup.
Dietary laws observed.
Register online at www.cbahm.org or by calling 248-851-6880.
Registration is required by April 10.
$50 per adult, $30 per child ages 4-12,
children 3 and under are free.
Register before April 1 and save $5 per person.
Congregation Beth Ahm
Big enough to enrich you. Small enough to know you.
www.cbahm.org
co-sponsored by:
Small Shul
Big Seder