Community Corner

Anti-Israel sentiments have been a recurring theme in mainstream media. The demo release of a video game for the Steam platform entitled “Fursan al-Aqsa: The Knights of the Al-Aqsa Mosque” allows its users to play as Palestinian freedom fighters designed to eliminate IDF soldiers and take control of the world’s only Jewish state. Steam is the largest gaming site. Concocted over the past decade by veteran developer Nidal Nijm, a Brazilian of Palestinian heritage whose father fought with Fatah, its makers wanted to change “the cliché of portraying Arabs as Terrorists.” Its instructions read: “You will play in missions across Palestine with many objectives to accomplish, epic battles, powerful guns, vehicles to drive, and more.”

The Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV) today criticized the Biden administration for abstaining on a UN resolution demanding “compensation” for descendants of Palestinian refugees, who left their homes at the behest of an Arab League bent on genocide, and an unlimited “right of return” that would demographically put an end to Israel as the world’s sole Jewish state. The Trump administration consistently voted No on similar annual efforts targeting Israel.

It was back to “essential Emet” these past two weekends for dedicated students in Emet Outreach’s women’s and men’s divisions. Shabbatons have always been at the core of Emet’s weekly programming, and after being limited by the challenges of the ongoing pandemic, they are once again in full swing. “Spending Shabbos together is an invaluable experience for our students as they grow in their religious observance,” said Rabbi Akiva Rutenberg, Emet Co-founder and Director. “There is nothing that demonstrates the beauty of the Torah lifestyle like connecting with one another and with host families over Shabbos.”

On Veteran’s Day, this past Thursday, the Village of Cedarhurst held a morning memorial service at the Andrew J. Parise Park. The event included the participation of Mayor Benjamin Weinstock, Deputy Mayor Ari Brown, Trustees Daniel Plaut, Israel Wasser, and Myrna Zisman. The event also showcased the Lawrence-Cedarhurst American Legion Post 339 under the command of Syd Mandelbaum and his first vice-commander Al Landi, as well as his second vice-commander Mitch Dancyger. Dr. Paul Brody, a well-recognized Great Neck activist, joined presumptive Nassau County Executive-elect Bruce Blakeman at Village of Cedarhurst’s Veterans Day celebration.

His father earned the Iron Cross, Germany’s highest military honor, but his mother knew it was time to go.

Herbert Jaffe discussed his family’s experiences during Nazism at the Kristallnacht Commemoration at Congregation Machane Chodosh on November 9.

The community of East Meadow, Long Island, celebrated the dedication of its first sefer Torah this Sunday, with close to 300 in attendance. In a clear act of hashgachah pratis, an elderly woman left funds in her will for a sefer Torah to be written for a shul with a daily minyan that is in need of a sefer Torah, and Congregation Shaarei Zedek of East Meadow was chosen as the beneficiary. The hachnasas sefer Torah on Sunday was a true milestone for this rapidly growing community, and a source of pride for its members.