Community Corner

Michael Conigliaro, 51, is a Rego Park resident, along with his wife Connie and their two daughters. Raised in Kew Gardens, he understands the needs of the district well. A graduate of Richmond Hill High School, Michael continued on to Queensborough Community College, St. John’s University, and Concord Law School. Professionally, Conigliaro is an attorney office manager for a powerful real estate office and maintains a full volunteer calendar in addition to his religious obligations.

Emet Outreach’s Couples Division recently hosted the second inspiring installment of their new workshop series. The fitting topic, “Creating the Marriage You Always Wanted,” attracted over 60 couples who selected one of two evenings to participate in the interactive program. Held at the Young Israel of Jamaica Estates, the workshops provided an impactful educational and social opportunity for Emet’s growing community of couples.

This week, as the world commemorates the first yahrzeit of Emeritus Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of Great Britain and the Commonwealth, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt”l, Yeshiva University President Dr. Ari Berman announced the creation of the Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks Center for Values and Leadership founded by Terri and Andrew Herenstein.

The Rachel’s Children Reclamation Foundation (RCRF) commemorated the yahrzeit of Rachel Imeinu on Sunday, October 17, 11 MarCheshvan, the yahrzeit of Rachel Imeinu, at its 27^th Annual Yahrzeit Dinner. This year was doubly exciting, with two separate programs – one in Jerusalem’s Baka neighborhood, just a stone’s throw from Kever Rachel, and the other at the Manhattan Beach Jewish Center – since RCRF Founder Evelyn Haies made aliyah with her husband Jay on July 4, 2021.

QJL: Why did you decide to seek a seat in the City Council as our representative?

LS: I am a proud member of the Jewish faith who grew up in Forest Hills. I have been active in the community for over 30 years, and served on various community and civic organizations, including Community Board 6, the 112^th Precinct Council, the Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce, and many others.

One of the deadliest single massacres in the history of the Holocaust, the Babyn Yar mass killing committed by the Nazis in Kyiv, Ukraine, on September 29 and 30, 1941, heartlessly stole the lives of more than 33,000 Jewish men, women, and children. Standing in solidarity with Queens’ Jewish and Ukrainian communities, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. traveled to Ukraine earlier this month to participate in a series of events commemorating the 80^th anniversary of the massacre.