Local

Jewish community leaders met with Queens Borough President Melinda Katz Sunday to thank her for assisting and supporting many Jewish nonprofit organizations while representing the community as an Assemblymember, Councilmember, and as Borough President. They also discussed current issues facing the Queens Jewish community and how Katz will stand up for her constituants as District Attorney.

On Sunday morning, Rosh Chodesh Iyar, community women gathered at the Young Israel of Hillcrest for the Amen Group davening and brachos party. The motto of this group is a quote from the Chofetz Chaim: “Just one word, ‘Amen,’ can open every single gate in Heaven, causing blessings to be showered on the entire world.”

One of the things I love about my community and about my shul, Congregation Etz Chaim, is that they understand the importance of Eretz Yisrael. I’m a die-hard Tzionit and I know that Eretz Yisrael is important to us as a nation and deserves to be celebrated. When it comes to Yom HaAtzmaut, my shul and community do not disappoint.

Transitions: from remembering Israeli soldiers and terror victims to the joy of Israeli Independence Day; from a familiar American Modern Orthodox upbringing to being a Golani soldier on the Gaza border; from staleness to appreciation of Israel. Those were the themes of the Israeli Day Celebration held at the Queens Jewish Center on Wednesday, May 8.

Rabbi Chaim Goldberger, Rabbi Emeritus at Kenesseth Israel Congregation in Minneapolis and Regional Ambassador of the Coalition for Jewish Values, greeted Vice President Mike Pence upon his recent arrival in Minnesota. Rabbi Goldberger thanked the Vice President for his and the Administration’s ongoing friendship towards the Jewish community in the United States and around the world.

Grades 1-4 have been learning about chashivus Eretz Yisrael for the past two weeks. On Thursday, Yom HaAtzmaut, students in the lower grades got a chance to be part of a live interactive webinar about Eretz Yisrael. Without even leaving Bnos Malka, grades 1-4 got to see exciting places in Yerushalayim, Chevron, Be’er Sheva, and the Galil. It’s possible that everyone’s favorite part was seeing the camels cross the road, right next to a sign in Hebrew that says, Watch out for camels crossing!