Queens Jewish Link
Connecting the Queens Jewish Community 
The completion of the Kew Gardens Interchange reconstruction - a $739 million project that tied up traffic in Kew Gardens Hills, Briarwood, Kew Gardens, and Forest Hills for the past decade - was declared this week by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
In contrast to the five boroughs, most of the emergency needs in West Hempstead are handled by volunteers, highly trained and dedicated, but unpaid, members of the community. This past Sunday, the Chabad of West Hempstead hosted an event at Echo Park to thank members of the local Hatzalah, Community Security Service, fire departments, and police.
Following divisive redistricting proposals that led to lawsuits and do-overs for City Council, State Senate, and Congressional districts, a bipartisan panel announced new State Assembly lines this past week that will come into effect ahead of the 2024 elections.
This week, President Joe Biden led a White House tradition dating back to the Truman administration but rumored to have originated at Lincoln’s holiday meal. “First of all, the votes are in. They’ve been counted and verified. There’s no ballot stuffing,” he quipped, standing over two fortunate turkeys. “There’s no “fowl” play. The only red wave this season is going to be if a German shepherd, Commander, knocks over the cranberry sauce on our table.”
Prior to becoming the first president elected on the Republican ticket, Abraham Lincoln experienced multiple defeats in his runs for state and federal office. Closer to home and in the present day, Brooklyn Councilman Ari Kagan’s road to City Hall was also marked by defeats until his election last year in the district covering Coney Island, Gravesend, and Bath Beach. His decision this week to switch parties, and run for reelection as a Republican, surprised party insiders, but it also reflected recent trends among voters across the city.
In his tour of Jewish communities on Long Island, coordinated by Chabad, the Chief Rabbi of Israel David Lau shlita visited more than a dozen shuls, schools, and organizations. Towards the end of his trip, he spoke at the Young Israel of West Hempstead to offer encouragement and strengthen the connection between this community and Israel. The event was cosponsored by the Chabad of West Hempstead, Anshei Shalom, Bais Torah U’tefillah, and Eitz Chayim of Dogwood Park.
