Sergey Kadinsky

Pesach in New York is a unique American experience. It is a time when Jewish families can be seen throughout the city, sampling its numerous cultural and natural attractions. Walk through Central Park during Chol HaMoed and it seems that every other person is a frum Jew, just remember to pack some lunch as most kosher eateries will be closed for the duration of the holiday. Closer to home, there are plenty of places to explore. In no particular order, I give you a brief guide to our hometown borough:

The Chazaq organization is renowned for its inspirational lectures and for its outreach to the unaffiliated offering life-changing after-school programs for public school youth and transferring hundreds of students to yeshivah.

In his toughest re-election race, exit polls showed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a couple of percentage points behind centrist rival Benny Gantz, but by the end of the evening on Tuesday, early counting returns projected the incumbent ahead. “The right-wing bloc led by Likud clearly won,” Netanyahu said to his supporters. “I thank Israeli citizens for their trust. I will begin forming a right-wing government with our natural partners already tonight.”

For nearly three decades, there’s hardly an event in the Queens Jewish community where one wouldn’t see Rabbi Avrohom Hecht, the sociable activist, working the room among the elected officials, rabbis, and volunteers. Last Sunday, he took the stage in Rego Park to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of Project Lead, honoring local elected officials for providing funding that covers its food pantry, programs for youth, and senior events, in particular for Holocaust survivors. “We assist thousands of clients with human services, distribute over 200,000 pounds of food per year, visit dozens of homebound elderly, and a myriad of other services,” said Rabbi Hecht. “Youth activities, Holocaust survivor services, emigre empowerment, and community development.”