Local

On Saturday night, February 18, the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills hosted a screening of the documentary Upheaval: The Journey of Menachem Begin, which was attended by almost 150 people from Kew Gardens Hills and other Queens communities. The 2020 film, which is now being shown in North and South America, uses archival footage and interviews with people who knew him well, to provide an insightful portrait of Menachem Begin’s life from his youth in the Betar movement in Poland through his years as Prime Minister of Israel.

Ronny and Shulamit Baruch on the birth of a granddaughter, born to David and Eliana Redlich

David and Limor Decter on the birth of a grandson, born to Jeremy and Eva Herskowitz. Mazal tov to the great-grandparents, Barbara Decter Schlussel, Jack and Ann Walisever, and Yossi and Aliza Cohen.

The Hillcrest community came out strong for a joyous pre-Purim laser, light, and music show on Sunday, February 26, at the Young Israel of Hillcrest. Attendees brought alive the tradition of la’Y’hudim haysa orah v’simchah v’sason vikar ken tih’yeh lanu depicted in Megilas Esther, recited every Motza›ei Shabbos during the recital of havdalah. The children›s eyes filled with joy during the riveting performance providing for a modern-day enactment of the age-old Purim custom. Prismatic Magic, facilitators of the special laser show, used STEM learning techniques to offer a fun educational opportunity for the kids. Fresh pizza and exciting prizes were also on hand for the youngsters. The shul’s Youth Department extends appreciation to the event sponsor, Sesil Lissberger, for her generous contribution.

It’s a fundamental idea in Torah-observant Judaism that when we were born into the world, we become a new link in a long spiritual chain. We begin our lives with a spiritual connection to our parents, our parents’ parents, and all of our direct ancestors – even those who lived hundreds or thousands of years ago. And, this connection has an influence on the path that our life takes.

It’s been three years since the world-renowned OurCrowd Global Summit has taken place due to the pandemic, and this year it returned, better than ever. Considered the largest business conference in Israel, the Summit once again delivered on its promise as one of the world’s premier events in the tech and venture capital industries and featured a wide array of speakers, exhibits and presentations, as well as thousands of visitors from around the globe.