38 | OCTOBER 8 • 2020 I n the tumultuous year that is 5781, celebrating the High Holidays has been anything but a normal experience for the Jewish community. In response, the Orthodox Union has released a document spelling out guidelines and recommendations for how Jews can spend their Simchat Torah in light of the COVID-19 pan- demic, including strict social distancing and no dancing. The Orthodox Union (OU) has served as an umbrella organization for American Orthodox Jewry since 1898, with over 400 congregations in its synagogue network. Rabbi Adir Posy, Director of Synagogue and Community Services for OU, helped craft the document. He believes cele- brations can be just as fulfilling as other years, in different ways. “What we’ re trying to guide people with is striking a balance with keeping as much normalcy as possible and being able to connect to the traditions we’ ve done every year, with the allow- ance for making sure we are extremely vigilant about safety protocols, ” Posy told the JN. “We must plan and prepare for Simchat Torah, being espe- cially mindful of the recent rise in positive tests in many com- munities, ” the document reads. “This uptick is a source of gen- uine concern, and we must be committed to make every effort to reverse it by proceeding with appropriate caution. ” OU worked with medical experts and public health offi- cials to see if environments for celebration could be created in a safe way. “In most cases, we found out the answer was yes, ” Posy said. “There are ways to create worship indoors or outdoors in ways that are safe. ” The OU advises Jews not to dance during Simchat Torah (Oct. 10-11). “This special day is typically celebrated by spirited dancing with the Torah, which is some- thing that seems impossible to replicate this year while main- taining proper safeguards, ” the document reads. “Even without holding hands, and even out- doors, when dancing in circles we are continuously walking into the clouds of droplets gen- erated by the vigorous singing and dancing of others. Sadly, there seems to be no way in which this can be safely accom- plished … These are certainly meaningful disappointments. ” While there’ s hope that next year’ s High Holidays will see a return to normalcy, Posy said the restrictions have led to “an explosion of innovation. ” “One of the recommenda- tions we made as we celebrate the Torah is to celebrate the ways in which the Torah or connecting to studying Torah has enhanced people’ s lives. So I can imagine that type of sharing is a very meaningful thing that can exist in really any context, and is one of the examples of innovative ideas I think will be able to stand the test of time. ” continued from page 37 due to obstructive sleep apnea or narcolepsy. LONGSTANDING FATIGUE He also said there’ s increasing evidence that there’ s a post- COVID syndrome with symp- toms that include fatigue and low energy but that the science to trace that is developing. In general though, symptoms of CFS have to be longstanding (six months or more) and cause functional impairment. Often, those with ME/CFS are pre- scribed anti-depressants though those medications often don’ t solve the entire problem, Young said. One of Young’ s longtime patients, Jane (not her real name), said she was referred to Young about 20 years ago after working with a social worker for severe anxiety and depres- sion. Jane had noticed difficulty in concentration and not being able to filter out noise in large crowds. She said she was also having a very hard time waking in the morning and finding energy to tackle the day, consid- ering she was helping her father with dementia get his affairs in order. The woman who in the past has volunteered with several Jewish organizations, said she learned she had a diagnosis of ADHD, with moderate symp- toms in addition to chronic fatigue syndrome. “I was overwhelmed, and my energy level came in spurts, ” she said. “I felt like I was having a breakdown. ” Jane was prescribed Zoloft for her depression and Adderall XR, which is a common pre- scription for ADHD. She has found great help with the med- ications in terms of focusing, recall and managing her emo- tions. “Family members close to me noticed the stabilizing effect, ” she said. “It was explained to me that it was like putting a shield on your emotions” so that negative emotions don’ t become overwhelming. “The medication filters and focuses you. I’ ve always taken [the Adderall] when I’ m work- ing, ” she said. Although she’ s found living in the pandemic world chal- lenging, Jane finds joy in sing- ing and has been taking online programming and classes through the Jewish Federation’ s JLearn program. “They have been wonderful in getting you through and feeling productive, ” she said. She encourages those who feel overwhelmed with fatigue and negative emotions to ask for help until all symptoms are under control. “Try not to tough it out your- self, ” she said. “Once I got stable on the antidepressants and my mood, I realized there was still a problem” with focus and fatigue. Health “Oft en patients with ME/CFS feel abandoned, diminished or marginalized.” — DR. JOEL L. YOUNG Orthodox Union Issues Guidelines for Simchat Torah Social distancing, no dancing this year. DANNY SCHWARTZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER