The army of Dirshu test takers came prepared as ever, having mastered the material despite the challenges of recent months

Test of Time

The Dirshu testing system has been running like a well-oiled machine for years: Across the world, participants arrive at testing centers, sit down at tables, and get to work filling out the sheets. Last week’s scheduled bechinah, though, was the first major test of the COVID-19-era, but the army of Dirshu test takers came prepared as ever, having mastered the material despite the challenges of recent months. But with sitting around tables today forbidden, where could they take the test? In Israel, while Health Ministry guidelines mandate that groups not sit in the same room, after picking up their tests, participants used creativity and resourcefulness to find their own safe spaces in which to write, returning their tests two hours later — right on schedule.

Silver Linings 

New habits I hope to take into the post-quarantine world

“I have dozens of nieces and nephews spread out around the country and world. Each week we’ve reconnected with talent shows, games, jokes, and all kinds of activities that we ordinarily would have done only in person, or over Yom Tov. Now, all the uncles and aunts and cousins are together. After this, I fully intend on keeping it on my weekly calendar.”

—Maury Litwack, Director of Public Affairs, Orthodox Union