Local

This past Shabbos, February 12, the Forest Hills Jewish community was victim to despicable and outrageous antisemitism when a Jewish-owned dental clinic located at 68-55 Harrow Street had its front window scrawled in black marker with hate-filled anti-Jewish language, “f*** Jews.” After being documented, police officers from New York Police Department’s 112^th precinct removed the disturbing wording that had been reported by a local rabbi following Motzaei Shabbos prayers.

The Yeshiva of Central Queens (YCQ) community is eagerly looking forward to celebrating its first in-person Anniversary Gala in over two years. Families and faculty members are excited about the scheduled 81^st Anniversary Scholarship Dinner, and dynamic performance by singing sensation Gad Elbaz, at Old Westbury Hebrew Congregation on Motza’ei Shabbos, February 26. The theme is “Your Piece Counts,” a reference to the many different community members working to “puzzle” together a complete, successful experience at YCQ. “Our wonderful honorees are enthusiastic in their support of this ongoing mission,” said Dr. Joel Wein, President of YCQ.

After drug or substance abuse treatment, the early recovery phase is an exciting and challenging time. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by the prospect of changing most of your old habits. However, when you go home after addiction treatment, it’s important to establish new habits and routines to support your sober life.

Misaskim is about to launch a 36-hour campaign to raise $1,500,00 for the aveilim, almanos, and yesomim in the community.

But… almanos and yesomim? Misaskim? Misaskim is only about shiva, aren’t they?

It was a graduation of a different sort when students of the Emet Outreach Leaders Fellowship celebrated their well-deserved completion of the program. Instead of family in the audience, there was the devoted team of Emet staff who felt emotional. Instead of donning caps and gowns, there were books of T’hilim that were held with pride. Instead of receiving a diploma marking a degree, there was a certificate of distinction to mark a dedication to Torah study.

According to the Midrash, after the incident at the waters of Merivah (Sh’mos 17: 1-7), Hashem made a vow restricting Moshe Rabbeinu from entering Eretz Yisrael. From the moment Moshe learned about the decree, he never stopped davening that it be overturned. Not only did he do this daily, but whenever a new eis ratzon presented itself (such as following the conquest of Sichon and Og), he used the opportunity to pray once more.