Sergey Kadinsky

For decades, the bus map of Queens has seen few changes, but with a decline in revenue resulting from the pandemic, the MTA released a set of proposed routes designed to increase ridership and speed up commuting. In central Queens, which has the largest Jewish population in the borough, the changes will connect the communities and offer new options for transfers to the subway. Last Thursday, the agency held a virtual session where residents of Community Board 8 offered feedback on the proposed routes.

When a new Chabad House opens in any community, it often plants a large menorah on the front yard as a sign of visible Judaism. They stand long after the last candle of Chanukah blows out to inform Jewish passersby that there is a couple in town who can answer their questions about Yiddishkeit and serve their religious needs. Last October, Rabbi Mendel and Rivka Gurkov settled in Rockville Centre, setting up the newest Chabad House on Long Island.

Following a lawsuit filed by New York Republicans to undo this year’s Congressional and State redistricting last month, court-appointed expert Jonathan Cervas released a new map on Monday that gives an edge to the city’s lone Republican in Washington, puts two longtime Manhattan Democratic incumbents in the same district, and gives Jewish voters an opportunity to decide the future of this party in competitive primaries between centrists and leftists.

On the weekend of Shabbos HaGadol, the largest Bukharian shul in the country, Beth Gavriel in Forest Hills, hosted a concert by the Atid Boys Choir, a unique ensemble led by Conductor Itzhak Haimov and Chazan Ezro Malakov, a veteran of radio and stage for many decades. “After many centuries, Bukharian Seder songs have returned to a new generation of children. Along with songs, I also teach them the customs of the Seder,” Malakov said. “We will record our model Seder with the songs on video.”

Less than a year after Beth Torah U’Tefila vacated the small home at 416 Hempstead Avenue for a larger space across the street, a new k’hilah was dedicated at this address. “The idea was always out there. We were waiting for more people to move in who would be receptive to it,” said Rabbi Avichai Bensoussan, the rav of the House of Torah Sephardic Congregation, also known as Yismach Yisrael. “Our members are very engaged in doing the right thing al pi halachah.”

I’ve never taken the groundhog’s shadow seriously, especially when late March gave us cold rain and wind with temperatures that were hovering close to the freezing mark. At the same time, there are signs of optimism in the cherry blossoms blooming next to the New York State Pavilion in Flushing Meadows, a long-neglected World’s Fair structure that is undergoing a restoration: better weather, reopened museums, and restored landmarks. If you’re home for Pesach or visiting family members in the suburbs, there’s plenty to see around the city and its vicinity.