Community Corner

For 2022, the Internal Revenue Service increased the federal estate and gift tax lifetime exemptions to $12,060,000 per person ($24,120,000 million for a couple). This means that an individual’s estate will not be taxed by the federal government if it is within those limits. Therefore, a couple with assets of under $24.12 million will not have a federal estate tax imposed on their collective estate provided proper planning is done. Further, a gift tax will not be imposed if lifetime gifts are made within those limits. 

The Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University has announced a new Clinical Doctorate in Social Work (DSW), to begin in Fall 2022. The 45-credit program, designed to be completed within three years, is tailored for experienced post-MSW clinicians who are either currently in direct practice with a client base or are administrators of clinical programs.

In several places throughout the Torah (Sh’mos 19:5 and D’varim 7:6, 14:2, 26:18), Hashem refers to the Jewish People as an am s’gulah. In this context, it means that they possess certain traits that supersede the rules of creation. For instance, according to Chazal, if a Jew intends to perform a mitzvah and is prevented from doing so, he receives reward as if he performed it. If, on the other hand, he is prevented from performing a transgression, this same principle will not apply. He is not held accountable (Kiddushin 40a).

This past Shabbos, February 12, the Forest Hills Jewish community was victim to despicable and outrageous antisemitism when a Jewish-owned dental clinic located at 68-55 Harrow Street had its front window scrawled in black marker with hate-filled anti-Jewish language, “f*** Jews.” After being documented, police officers from New York Police Department’s 112^th precinct removed the disturbing wording that had been reported by a local rabbi following Motzaei Shabbos prayers.

Unprecedented Chizuk at Two Massive Siyumim at Mifal Hapayis Arena

It happened so swiftly, literally from one second to the next. We were about to hear a drasha from one of the Gedolim when suddenly, we saw a commotion. Before we could even process what was happening, we heard the MC exclaim, in a voice shaking with emotion, “With trepidation and with hadras kavod we have the tremendous zechus to welcome and be mekabel panim Maran Sar HaTorah, HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, shlita!”

After drug or substance abuse treatment, the early recovery phase is an exciting and challenging time. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by the prospect of changing most of your old habits. However, when you go home after addiction treatment, it’s important to establish new habits and routines to support your sober life.