Shliach Starts a Campaign to Smile Under the Mask

By COLlive staff

Rabbi Anchelle Perl, Director of Chabad Mineola in New York has initiated a campaign to help others in this time of extraordinary and unpredictable crisis.

Vulnerability and risk are heightened right now worldwide, resulting in increasing levels of stress, uncertainty, and conflict, reports Rabbi Perl.

“To effectively prevent and resolve stress, uncertainty, and conflict, it is essential we nurture and be kind to ourselves and others around us,” he says.

Rabbi Perl has started a campaign to cheer people to greet everyone with a smile, a wave, and a positive comment while maintaining an appropriate physical distance.

Using hashtag #GoSmileGo, he is encouraging others to post online a picture of themselves wearing a mask and holding a postcard depicted with a ‘smile’.

“Think about friends you haven’t been in touch with lately,” he adds. “Check your contact list or holiday list to identify these individuals. Call or send them a message.”

He also asked the public to show support for leaders and members of health care organizations, law enforcement, fire departments, the military, faith groups, and community organizations whose resources are limited because of physical distancing.

“Thank doctors, nurses, and others in the medical field that you meet or know for the great job they are doing,” he says.

“Thank emergency medical personnel, police, firefighters, and military personnel for their hard work and for serving and protecting our communities at this time.

“Thank grocery and food service workers as well as other essential workers for their hard work and willingness to serve us at this time. Be especially attuned to comments that express anxiety, fear and/or hopelessness,” the rabbi said.

In this time to rush to return to “normal,” use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth rushing back to, he points out.