Queens Jewish Link
Connecting the Queens Jewish Community 
On Tuesday evening, October 5, Navigating the Medical System began its tenth year with a virtual lecture on COVID updates. It was hosted by Congregation Etz Chaim. Dr. Mel Breite, Founder and Director of the Navigating the Medical System Lecture Series, welcomed everyone. He stated, “Here tonight, you will hear the truth about what we do know about COVID and what we don’t know about COVID.”
More than four in ten Americans (41%) say they are more anxious than last year, according to a report by the American Psychiatric Association in May 2021.
At the behest of Queens Jewish Link co-publisher Yaakov Serle, I attended the first part of a special series The Emunah Tool given by noted author, lecturer, and columnist Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier at Forest Park Jewish Center.
When we are faced with sorrows, we call out and turn to Hashem and His Torah, as David HaMelech stated, “Tzarah v’yagon emtza, uv’sheim Hashem ekra–I will find troubles and sorrows, and I will call out in Hashem’s name” (T’hilim 117:13). When everything is going well, it is easy to turn to Hashem and thank Him for His goodness. The real test comes when we run into rough waters. How do we react to yisurin – life’s difficulties? We turn straight to Hashem!
For the 37th year, the TCS New York City Marathon, on November 7, 2021, will feature morning services at the Fort Wadsworth staging ground for the many Jewish runners expected to compete in the 50th jubilee edition of this world-famous road race. The International Minyan for New York City Marathoners, inaugurated in 1983, is the longest established religious service of any kind, at any major sporting event anywhere in the world.
Margaret Tietz held meaningful and full services throughout the chagim thanks to the young scholars from Rabbinical Seminary of America RSA-Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim of Queens, who led the minyanim with enthusiasm.
