Community Corner

It was a graduation of a different sort when students of the Emet Outreach Leaders Fellowship celebrated their well-deserved completion of the program. Instead of family in the audience, there was the devoted team of Emet staff who felt emotional. Instead of donning caps and gowns, there were books of T’hilim that were held with pride. Instead of receiving a diploma marking a degree, there was a certificate of distinction to mark a dedication to Torah study.

According to the Midrash, after the incident at the waters of Merivah (Sh’mos 17: 1-7), Hashem made a vow restricting Moshe Rabbeinu from entering Eretz Yisrael. From the moment Moshe learned about the decree, he never stopped davening that it be overturned. Not only did he do this daily, but whenever a new eis ratzon presented itself (such as following the conquest of Sichon and Og), he used the opportunity to pray once more.

The Yeshiva of Central Queens (YCQ) community is eagerly looking forward to celebrating its first in-person Anniversary Gala in over two years. Families and faculty members are excited about the scheduled 81^st Anniversary Scholarship Dinner, and dynamic performance by singing sensation Gad Elbaz, at Old Westbury Hebrew Congregation on Motza’ei Shabbos, February 26. The theme is “Your Piece Counts,” a reference to the many different community members working to “puzzle” together a complete, successful experience at YCQ. “Our wonderful honorees are enthusiastic in their support of this ongoing mission,” said Dr. Joel Wein, President of YCQ.

The Queens Jewish Community Council’s legislative breakfast held this past Sunday morning at the Young Israel of Jamaica Estates was complete with rousing speeches in support of Israel and thunderous applause denouncing antisemitism. While the topics might seem cliché, each energetic oration reaffirmed the New York political scene’s allegiance to Israel as a strong, unwavering ally. It was the words of Michael Nussbaum, President of the QJCC, that set a tone for all to stand up for the values that matter most. “I have spent my life fighting for other people. Today, I am asking people to fight for the Jewish community; we must do it together.” In the last election cycle, Nussbaum launched the Committee for Sensible Government PAC, designed to oppose any candidate who gets the support of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).

Misaskim is about to launch a 36-hour campaign to raise $1,500,00 for the aveilim, almanos, and yesomim in the community.

But… almanos and yesomim? Misaskim? Misaskim is only about shiva, aren’t they?

In the heart of the Kew Gardens Hills neighborhood, there is a development site that hosted a row of small businesses until a fire destroyed the entire block in 2016. Between the removal of debris and the first shovel in the ground, a painstaking effort to secure funding and approvals was underway.