Queens Jewish Link
Connecting the Queens Jewish Community 
Rav Yaakov Ribowsky presented the legal holiday yarchei kallah shiur at Khal Adas Yereim of Kew Gardens this past Monday morning, February 18, on President's Day. The rav spoke on the differences between Adar Alef and Adar Beis, and hilchos seudas Purim, including Purim Katan.
On Sunday, February 25, the Yeshiva of Central Queens (YCQ) will host its 83rd Annual Scholarship Dinner at Old Westbury Hebrew Congregation. This prestigious occasion seeks to pay tribute to individuals whose steadfast commitment and remarkable contributions have left a profound impact on both the Yeshiva and the wider community. This year, YCQ proudly recognizes these remarkable honorees: Guests of Honor Zishy & Esther Rachel Barth, Distinguished Educator Rabbi Ophie Nat, and Parents of the Year Efrahem & Vered Basalel.
The Israeli soldiers who discovered the tunnels under UNRWA as well as those who recently rescued two hostages shared something in common: footwear. Their brand-new, high-quality boots were donated by Boots for Israel, an initiative spearheaded by NSHA alumnus Yakir Wachstock. Founded shortly after October 7, Boots for Israel has already delivered 40,000 boots to Israel Defense Forces soldiers — and isn’t about to stop any time soon.
The Zohar tells us that Yom Kippur, the most spiritual day of the year, is really Yom Ha’K’Purim, which means “a day like Purim.” (Tikkunei Zohar 21: 57b)
Pink Day at MTA was a great day. A day of fundraising, fun swag, special snacks, and awareness for the extremely impactful organization, Sharsheret. The entire yeshivah felt the energy of the special day, and participated in raising money for Sharsheret, which is dedicated to helping families facing breast and ovarian cancer.
24 years, Dad,
Have gone past,
Since that ninth of Adar
When we saw you last.
You were the classic
Renaissance man
Not everyone
Could understand,
Starkly honest and stoic
But brave and heroic,
The heart of a lion
And the soul of a poet.
You fled the Shoah,
Landing in Peru,
Crossed Titicaca,
Climbed Machu Pichu,
Trekked the Amazon jungles
Like Indiana Jones,
Saw teeming piranha
Turn a beast into bones.
You found your way
In America
Found your angel,
Your calming breeze,
Our Emmalika.
Beginning all over
Was a difficult quest,
Our family struggled
But we were loved
No less;
We’d go for rides,
Watch planes take off
At JFK,
Or head for the ocean,
Your happy place.
Erudite in world history,
Spoke seven languages
Fluently,
Sought out the best
Like “El Exihente”
In a world enmeshed
With mediocrity.
Taught us to hate
Injustice and evil,
To love Israel
And the Jewish people;
You lived a life rich
With adventure and fun,
Travails and challenges
To overcome.
So glad you saw Avraham
And he got to see you;
I can see your eyes shine in him,
Icy blue.
With Emma in Shamayim
Forever in love,
May your neshamah
Have an aliyah,
Pesach Zev ben Dov.
By Sharon Marcus
