The author reflects on his experience of sitting shiva, the Jewish mourning practice, following his mother's death and how it affected his ability to watch the movie "Back to the Future Part II" when it was released.

The text reflects on the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic regarding the recitation of the Kaddish prayer for mourning rituals within the Jewish community.

In 1918, amidst the influenza epidemic, the Yiddish Forverts published guidance from Rabbi Gavriel Zev Margolis, known as Reb Velvele, on adjusting mourning practices for those affected by the pandemic.