An old Irish proverb tells us: "It is in the shelter of each other that the people live.” Being a people-person, myself, the first few months of lockdown made me just a little crazy. We all know that Zoom just isn’t the same as face-to-face time.

The three-week period between the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av is referred to as Bein Hametzarim, which means “between the straits" in Hebrew. The phrase is taken from the Book of Lamentations: “…all her (Jerusalem's) persecutors overtook her between the straits.” (Eichah 1:3)

Imagine not being able to read medicine labels, directions, street signs, environmental warnings, food labels, and so much more. There is no way to exaggerate the devastating impact illiteracy has on income, health, and social connections.