Community Corner

On one of the first fall Sunday afternoons, October 19, the parking lot of NYPD Police Service Area (PSA) 9 Community Council on Jewel Avenue became an outdoor classroom. Neighbors from nearby NYCHA Pomonok developments and across the community gathered for Car Care 101: Auto Repair Workshop, an inaugural program built around the simple idea of giving people practical skills that can make the difference when life intervenes unexpectedly.

A senior delegation of close to a dozen New York law enforcement officials visited the national logistics center of ZAKA Search and Rescue in Beit Shemesh to learn more about ZAKA’s response on October 7, 2023, and to meet some of the civilian volunteers whose lifesaving work has become a cornerstone of Israel’s emergency response system.

In this week’s parshah, VaYeira, we see the extraordinary chesed of Avraham Avinu. Despite recovering from his bris milah and experiencing intense pain, Avraham sits at the entrance of his tent searching for guests. His love for welcoming others was so deep that Hashem sent mal’achim so that Avraham could perform hachnasas orchim.

Avraham Avinu was told, “Lech L’cha mei’artzecha” – to leave his land, his home, and his family. This was not only a physical journey but a spiritual one. Avraham had to leave behind the familiar and step into the unknown, relying fully on Hashem. Rashi explains that the greatness of Avraham was measured not by what he left behind, but by how he grew through the challenges he faced.

Local Leaders and Hundreds Gather in Kew Gardens Hills to Support Israel
and Oppose Extremism in Mayoral Race

On Sunday afternoon, October 26, a large crowd gathered at the Queens Public Library on Vleigh Place in Kew Gardens Hills to show support for Israel and mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo. Local rabbanim, elected officials, and community leaders joined in a strong show of unity. Community security was visible from the start, with volunteers from Queens Shmira helping manage the crowd, as TV cameras from various local and national media outlets were present. The crowd stretched down the block, with attendees waving signs that read “Stand with Israel” and “No to Extremism.”

The idea was simple: one video, every day.

 It was also audacious: Each of the 2,711 installments would explore a daf in Shas through the lens of Jewish history.