Community Corner

The community gathered at the Bukharian Jewish Congregation of Briarwood to hear an important lecture by Rebbetzin Slovie Jungreis Wolff, well known inspirational speaker and daughter of the late Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis, on how to raise children in today’s world. She pointed out that if you are parenting today, it means you were parenting during a pandemic and during October 7, an ongoing war in Israel, and rampant anti-Semitism. Our people were kidnapped and murdered. How do we explain that to our children?

In Parshas Mishpatim, we learn “Im kesef talveh es ami” – When you lend money to My people, to the poor person who is with you, do not act toward him as a creditor/lender; you shall not impose interest upon him. There is a positive commandment in the Torah to lend money to anyone who needs it. Our Sages teach us that the mitzvah to lend money is even greater than the mitzvah to give tz’dakah, because a person is much less embarrassed to receive a loan than to receive tz’dakah. The Torah prohibits a Jew from imposing interest on the borrower, because when people help each other, they are uniting through their act of kindness. However, when a person takes interest, he acts in the opposite manner, taking advantage of his fellow Jew’s misfortune in order to enrich himself.

On Tuesday, the Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), representing over 2,500 traditional, Orthodox rabbis in American public policy, released its new investigative documentary, Terror Bank, regarding Amalgamated Bank, its Amalgamated Charitable Foundation, and their ties to terror. The documentary reveals that Amalgamated collects substantial bank fees from the Democratic Party and leading Democratic politicians, and donates from its proceeds to causes that, in turn, sponsor Middle Eastern terrorist organizations.

On Sunday, February 2, the UJA-Federation of New York’s Manhattan headquarters hosted the 2025 Congressional Breakfast – a flagship event organized by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY). The gathering brought together local representatives, elected officials, community leaders, and key figures from the Jewish community for a morning of structured dialogue and policy discussion, all centered on shared communal priorities.

Next Wednesday, February 26, during the celebration of 13 years and 600 issues, the Queens Jewish Link is set to honor those who have significantly contributed to Jewish advocacy and the support of Israel. This year’s ceremony will celebrate the remarkable achievements of Dr. Joe Frager, who will receive the Jewish Leadership Award for his 40 years of dedicated activism. Joining him in recognition are Sid Rosenberg, who will be awarded the King David Award, and Dr. Paul Brody, honored with the Jewish Activism Award, celebrating this group’s contributions to Jewish causes and advocacy.

On the evening of January 29, the New York City Council held a poignant event to commemorate the 80^th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. This solemn occasion, marked by reflection, remembrance, and a renewed commitment to combating hate, was coordinated by Pesach Osina of City Council Speaker Adrienne E. Adams office, and Jewish Caucus Chair Council Member Eric Dinowitz. A host of esteemed elected officials attended. The event was made possible through the partnership of Yad Vashem, The World’s Holocaust Remembrance Center, and the UJA Federation of New York.