Queens Jewish Link
Connecting the Queens Jewish Community 
A rose among thorns. In Shir HaShirim, Shlomo HaMelech describes klal Yisrael as the rose among the nations. The Bais Yaakov Academy of Queens is a like a beautiful rose amidst the thorny world of secular values – a gift that our community cherishes. Our community is so grateful to have this wonderful school that is carrying on the legacy of its founder, Rabbi Moshe Neuman zt”l.
What is the key factor that has brought and continues to bring JEP (Jewish Education Program) so much success in kiruv all these years? Rabbi Yaakov Finestone, Director of JEP Queens, shared the powerful teaching of his rebbe, Rav Henoch Leibowitz zt”l. “Truly care about the whole person in entirety. This can make a difference in someone’s life. A smile, kind words, you have no idea the impact each of you can make. You don’t have to be a professional in kiruv to make an impact.”
A shofar blew and then hundreds of runners and walkers of all ages took off along the beautiful Jamaica Estates trail leading to Cunningham Park for the 20th annual Jamaica Estates L’Chaim 5K Run/Walk for Israel.
On Sunday morning, June 12, the community gathered for a community breakfast to show support for the Rabbinical Seminary of America – Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim at the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills.
On Sunday night, May 29, Let’s Get Real With Coach Menachem featured Rabbi Sender Yossi Kaszirer, who has been involved in working with struggling teens for over two decades. Rabbi Kaszirer noted that we recite a special t’filah on Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan for our children that they should go in the proper path. Hashem gave Shavuos to each of us – men, women, and children. Everyone needs to connect to Torah. Torah is for us all. “Every year, we receive the Torah, and every single person has to be m’kabeil the Torah.” He emphasized that every Jew has that special connection, and we have to find the way to help everyone to connect to Torah.
“I have something better for you!” On Wednesday evening, June 22, at Congregation Ahavas Yisrael, Rebbetzin Shaindel Simes shared an incredible story of emunah and love: the journey of her whole family as recorded in her new, inspiring book, Rolling Rabbi – The Power of Perseverance: The Story of Rabbi Yehuda Simes.
