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Former Board Of Utopia Jewish Center Dedicates Ambulance To MDA

A milestone event was held at the Torah Center of Hillcrest where Israel's national emergency pre-hospital medical and blood services organization, Magen David Adom, received a new ambulance earmarked courtesy Associate Board of Directors of the former Utopia Torah Congregation/Utopia Jewish Center and their last handful of congregants. Rabbi Yonoson and Rebbetzin Rochelle Hirtz spent a thrilling decade at the spiritual helm of the sponsoring kehillah, departing as Rav Emeritus upon their sale to Ganeinu Academy. Now, the dynamic couple lead the Torah Center’s wonderful devoted membership.

In preparation for Purim, the Mayor’s Jewish Advisory Council hosted a community-wide pre-Purim Safety Meeting this past Monday, March 18. On behalf of Queens Shmira, I received an invited from Moshe Davis of the Mayor’s CAU. The program featured city officials and law enforcement agencies. Important discussions on community safety were discussed. Alexander Rapaport, Executive Director of Masbia, provided the iconic holiday treat of hamantaschen for all in attendance. Alex brought along bracelets, groggers, and his fifty-pound hamantaschen to the program.

When Rav Uri Zohar zt”l ran P’eylim Lev L’Achim, g’dolei Yisrael embraced the group’s mission; the same carries through today. On Wednesday, February 28, the Kew Gardens Hills home of Dr. Marc and Karen Silverman welcomed many of our community’s rabbanim. Two notable roshei yeshivah stood out amongst the attendees: Rav Dovid Harris of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim, and Rav Doniel Lander of Yeshivas Ohr HaChaim. Entitled “Now More Than Ever,” the event showed the importance of supporting the organization’s work as they are at the forefront of reigniting Judaism in a country that remains overwhelmed with danger in their midst.

Well over 1,000 community members piled into the spacious Hadar Bet Yaakov multipurpose room for a pre-Purim carnival organized by the incredible All About Kindness organization on Sunday afternoon, March 10. Designed as a measure to give back to the community – comprising individuals who donate their time and money for the betterment of Queens’ Jewish community – founder Lyudmila Mierova pulled off the impossible in a mere four days of planning.

This past Sunday, March 17, was a full-blown Purim fest at Aron’s Kissena Farms. Adults and children alike were all smiles, joining with staff and gleeful clowns at the mega Kew Gardens Hills supermarket. The smell of fresh popcorn filled the store, and two cotton candy machines worked overtime, churning out the tasty treats. Balloons, tied on the wrists of boys and girls, ensured every corner of the one-stop Purim shop vibed with timeless Purim fun that never let up. Nosh bags for the children were supplemented by juicy cups of freshly cut fruit, a perfect nutritious alternative enjoyed by all ages.

Last June, I was invited to attend the Jerusalem Conference in New York at the New York Hilton Midtown in the hours following the Celebrate Israel Parade. The event was eye-opening and informative, as Ministers of the Knesset, Israeli elected officials, noted CEOs, and other personalities shared their views and mingled with the crowd. The expansive delegation of Israeli dignitaries that visited New York helped to strengthen the connection between Israeli and United States Jewry.