Shabsie Saphirstein

From Forest Park Jewish Center, Ezra Academy, YESS!, and the VHQ,

Rabbi Sladowsky was klal Yisrael’s emissary in Queens

Rabbi Yitzchak Sladowsky zt”l was one of Queens Jewry’s early visionaries who saw a need to amplify Torah and Yiddishkeit throughout the borough and spent more than a half century seeing this life mission through. Two decades ago, the rabbi retired from the rabbinate to spend time amongst family in Lawrence, Nassau County, where he continued his avodas ha’kodesh. The Torah giant passed away on Sunday, February 18, at the age of 92. The next morning, a touching levayah was held at Central Avenue’s Cong. Shaaray Tefilah, followed by k’vurah in Eretz Yisrael.

Following a tradition spanning over four decades, Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Kopelowitz held an impressive reception benefiting Yeshiva Bais Abraham Slonim of Jerusalem and its affiliated institutions of Torah and chesed last Tuesday evening, February 20, at their Kew Gardens Hills home. The program was greatly enhanced by the presence of HaRav HaGaon Moshe Berezovsky, son of the Slonimer Rebbe and grandson of the famed Nesivos Sholom ztk”l, Rosh HaYeshivah. Community rabbonim joined for the inspiration, greatly uplifting the tone of the event. Dr. Jacob Walfish, chavrusah of Mr. Kopelowitz, once again served as chairman for the evening.

Early Monday morning, March 4, news leaked that Assembly Member Helene E. Weinstein had announced her retirement after nearly 44 years of service, Brooklyn’s longest serving member to date. “After I decided to retire, I reached out and encouraged Kalman to run for Assembly,” explained Weinstein, giving credence to a corroborating Politico announcement that fellow Democrat, New York City Council Member Kalman Yeger of Borough Park and Midwood’s District 44, was seeking the seat. “I can think of no better successor than Kalman, someone I have known for years, a dedicated public servant.” Since 2018, Yeger has also represented Bensonhurst, Gravesend, and Sunset Park, and served on his local Community Board for many years prior.

Misaskim of Nassau and Rockaway and their initiative for yesomim and almanos, Project Yedid, held a gala Melaveh Malkah last Motza’ei Shabbos showing appreciation to its solid base of devoted volunteers. The lavish event, held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chaim Schulhof, featured divrei Torah from master mechanech HaRav Yaakov Bender shlit”a, and a mentalist experience by the great David Blatt. Coordinator Rabbi Moshe Hamel delivered remarks and messages of thanks and appreciation to three standout members: Aaron Shlomo Appelbaum, Menachem Jacobson, and Bentzion Kaminetzky. A delicious buffet including milkshakes provided by Partini Events was topped off by the melodies of Kumzitz.

Taylor is the highest-ranking religious member of the NYPD and Commanding Officer of the Department’s Community Outreach Division

Last Friday had special significance in Queens for the Jewish community in particular, as Deputy Chief Richard S. Taylor was awarded a well-deserved promotion to the third-highest position in the NYPD for his “excellence,” said Hon. Edward A. Caban, NYPD’s Commissioner. Taylor, known in the Jewish community as Yechiel, is recognized as the “ultimate NYPD ambassador,” and has successfully built bridges both in times of celebration and in times of turbulence. At the Friday program, held at the Police Academy in College Point, Caban noted how the Deputy Chief outshines his peers in always answering his calls, deserving of the title “real mentch.”

Congress Member Ritchie Torres delivered powerful remarks as the special guest at a Sunday afternoon fundraiser in support of State Assemblymember Sam Berger. Torres is well known for his tremendous advocacy on behalf of the State of Israel and the Jewish People, and has withstood vile attacks, especially in the aftermath of the Simchas Torah massacre.