Interfaith In the Time of Coronavirus
As faith leaders accustomed to caring for the vulnerable in our communities, the public health threat that is COVID-19 has us collectively wondering: how can we help? With religious services canceled and congregation members physically isolated, how do we build community and strengthen the civic fabric of NYC? As I heard someone say this week, certain technologies — once disliked — have now become our friends. Our civic and religious responsibilities still call and we can still respond, albeit digitally. Whether it is filling out the 2020 Census online or responding to a government survey assessing resources of diverse religious communities should they be needed to combat the virus, people of faith have important roles to play and unique gifts to offer.
Below are some links to resources and suggestions ICNY feels are worth passing along to our fellow New Yorkers. Join us our email list for weekly roundup emails like this for the duration of the pandemic — or if you have suggestions of things to include in the list, please send them to info@interfaithcenter.org.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Census 2020 – Fill it out online, with the code you received in the mail. Help ensure that New York receives adequate funding for our public health infrastructure.
New York State survey for retired health professionals who may be called on to serve. Do you have skills that can make a difference? Please let our public health agencies know!
New York City COVID-19 Health Care Surge Staffing Survey. New York State-certified healthcare workers may be called on provide community care for patients in need.
Remote volunteer activities with New Sanctuary Coalition. Step up to help immigrant New Yorkers who are especially vulnerable in this crisis.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Zoom Live Training. Learn how to build a community online.
Check List for Continuity of Operations Planning for Congregations and FBOs. New York Disaster Interfaith Services Tip Sheet.
Parenting and Coronavirus. Important tips from the Washington Post.
Marriage and Coronavirus. Advice from the New York Times.
Coronavirus FAQ for Faith Leaders. Get health guidance from the NYC Center for Faith and Community Partnerships.
“New York State On PAUSE” Executive Order. Read about Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s executive order, a 10-point policy to keep New Yorkers safe.
ThriveNYC offers mental health resources. For you or members of your community in isolation facing the strain of quarantine.
Resource Guide for NYC Domestic Violence Survivors, prepared by Turning Point for Women and Families. Where to turn for support in an abusive relationship during the COVID-19 pandemic — when staying home isn’t the safest plan.
Report Bias Incidents and Hate Stemming from #COVID19 Stigma. Call 311 to report any COVID-19 related discrimination to the New York City Commission on Human Rights.
National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) and National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-HOPE). If you or someone you know is currently in isolation in an unsafe or dangerous home situation, you can call these 24/7 hotlines for support.
‘Zoombombing’ comes for houses of worship. Read about how the transition of houses of worship to online video conferencing platforms has attracted online trolls. Here is a helpful guide to prepare for your next online meeting or service.
New York Residents’ Spiritual Care Hotline (877-697-7297). Operated by the Baptist Convention of New York and the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, New York Residents’ can now access this Spiritual Care Hotline for COVID-19.
Text “worthy” to 741741. A 24/7 crises text line for those who are experiencing challenges during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Safe Horizon domestic violence hotlines, helpline, and SafeChat. If you need help, speak with an advocate on a 24/7 hotline: 1-800-621-HOPE (4673).
Helping Your Community During COVID-19. The Sikh Coalition’s list of resources on how to safely volunteer and provide support during this time.
Streaming Service. Options for digital streaming services for houses of worship that want to live-stream their ceremonies and other live events.
Sign Up For Governor Cuomo’s Coronavirus Updates. Get email updates on the evolving COVID-19 situation from New York State.
Latest Guidance from the NYC Health Department. What you need to know about COVID-19. Click here for a factsheet and here for a Q&A about recommended face coverings.
Resources for Immigrant Communities During COVID-19 Pandemic. Many city services are available to all New Yorkers regardless of immigration status or ability to pay.
Put an End to Bias Incidents and Hate stemming from #COVID19 Stigma. Call 311 to report any COVID-19 related discrimination to the New York City Commission on Human Rights. In addition, Attorney General James’s office has launched a hotline to combat coronavirus hate crimes and xenophobic rhetoric (1-800-771-7755) for individuals who have experienced hate crimes and bias-based incidents. You can also email civil.rights@ag.ny.gov.
WHERE YOU CAN GIVE (AND RECEIVE):
Muslims Unite for Coronavirus Relief. Financial hardship grants, organized by the Islamic Center at New York University.
Sponsor Shelf-Stable Meal Bags for New Yorkers in Need. Provided by God’s Love We Deliver.
#GetUsPPE. New website that matches donors of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the frontline medical workers who need them — or else allows you to donate money for equipment purchase.
Invisible Hands. A member of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue has demonstrated the principle of Tikkum Olam by starting “Invisible Hands.” Call (732) 639-1579 for deliveries of groceries or sign up to volunteer.
NYC COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund. Support nonprofit service providers struggling with the health and economic effects of the coronavirus.
Record the sounds of religious life online during the COVID-19 pandemic, and share them with the American Religious Sounds Project, an online archive of religious sound. Help scholars and others understand your community’s religious experience during this extraordinary time.
Become a Telechaplaincy Volunteer. If you would like to be considered for telechaplaincy support, please complete this volunteer form. Your information will only be shared with institutional leadership working to meet the needs of those whom they serve.
www.nyccovidcare.org. If you are or know a front-line COVID worker who is in need of counseling, you can sign up for free support from a volunteer mental health worker or spiritual care provider.
GetFoodNYC food delivery program provides food for coronavirus-vulnerable and food-insecure New Yorkers not currently served through existing food delivery programs. Sign up at the link above or call 311.
To get a thorough and informative general daily update about COVID-19 in Manhattan, see here: https://www.manhattanbp.nyc.gov/signup/
COVID-19 New York City Relief Fund. Donate to a GoFundMe campaign on behalf of Food Bank for NYC.
Coronavirus Appeal by Muslim Community Patrol & Services: Help Feed the Elderly and Immunocompromised. Help provide hot meals for the elderly and immunocompromised every week.
Retired Health Professionals Survey/Sign Up. Qualified health professionals and related professionals can sign up to supplement the current hospital capacity.
Muslim Community COVID-19 Response Hotline: Volunteer Form. The Muslim Community Network (MCN) is seeking volunteers for its new response hotline for the Muslim Community, starting 4/10 (888-409-0036).
Trinity Church Wall Street: COVID-19 Emergency Response Grants. Trinity is providing one-time grants of up to $25,000 for grantees who are working with communities that are disproportionately impacted by this pandemic.
COVID-19 Pro Bono Network. New York State needs the help of attorneys to handle a surge in legal matters resulting from the coronavirus pandemic and ensuing economic fallout.
The NYC Mask Mission: 100,000 Masks for NYC. Donate to help the Yemeni American Merchants Association acquire, distribute, and deliver 100,000 masks to all essential workers in NYC.
UWNYC COVID-19 Community Fund. Donate to the COVID-19 Community Fund to assist families and individuals facing loss of income due to business and school closures.
Due to Coronavirus, there is a shortage of blood and blood donations are desperately needed. Learn how and where you can safely donate at ny.gov/donateblood.
WHAT YOU CAN (VIRTUALLY) PRAY AND REFLECT:
Christ Church, Rye’s Litany in Response to the Coronavirus. Write your own prayers or meditations for your faith tradition.
Islamic Center of New York University. Online teachings with an invitation for virtual presenters from the NYU community.
Congregation Beit Simchat Torah. Online Psalm study, meditations, and much more.
Church of the Heavenly Rest. Way of Life Daily Schedule includes morning prayer, Tea Time check-in, Art and Music for Adults and Kids and Sandwiches, and Scripture on Sunday.
Daily Scriptures, Prayers, and Meditations. Daily Meditations and scripture readings from the National Council of Churches.
Wishing a joyous Pesach to Jewish New Yorkers at this challenging time — two sets of resources and reflections for an online Passover seder, from the Union for Reform Judaism and the Chabad-Lubavitch movement.
Make a Prayer Request. Join St. Anthony’s online prayer community. Post your prayer or pray for the intentions of others.
Online Zendo. Village Zendo’s online zendo, a silent space for joining others in the practice of seated meditation or zazen.
Online Zazen and Dharma events. New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care will offer daily online events via Zoom.
The Hindu Temple Society of North America — Online chanting and Prayer. The Hindu Temple will lead an online chanting and prayer every day.
Virtual Interfeast Host Application. Muslim-Jewish Solidarity Committee is coordinating virtual interfeasts by community members in private homes.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral Mass Live Stream. Watch the St. Patrick’s Cathedral’s daily mass.
Welcome to My Table. Sign up your household to share an Iftar meal online with another household.
HOW YOU CAN BE COUNTED:
ICNY fills out the 2020 Census. Join us with your own photo and these hashtags: #yourorganizationname2020, #GetCounted, #CENSUS2020.
2020 Census Operational Press Briefing (March 20, 2020). Read updates on the status of the 2020 Census and see the self-Response Rates for your area.
Census 2020 – Fill it out online, with the code you received in the mail. Help ensure that New York receives adequate funding for our public health infrastructure and go to this language assistance page for assistance in over 50 languages.
Week of Faith Action on the Census. During the week of March 30 through April 5, we’re asking all houses of worship to take action in getting our communities counted.
Why we ask. A guide to the questions the 2020 Census.
Live Free. A national movement of the Faith in Action network to address the causes of violence and crime in our communities and Holy Week, a collective action based on the seven stations of the cross, including Scripture-based actions.
Get Out The Count: Strategies For Optimizing 2020 Census Participation Among Older People. Download a toolkit for 2020 Census outreach to older populations and click here for a flyer.
2020 Census Operational and Schedule Adjustments Due to COVID-19. Review the adjusted 2020 Census operational plan, including a revised self-response schedule.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Reminds New Yorkers to Complete the 2020 Census. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer appeals directly to the city hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch his PSA here.
#HindusCountNYC. Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus is providing Hindu-specific resources for responding to the 2020 Census.
____________________________________________________