Community Corner

The Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), representing over 2,500 traditional, Orthodox rabbis in American public policy, today thanked President Trump for his Executive Order taking additional actions to combat anti-Semitism, including the removal of foreigners, even those on student visas, who support terror organizations and harass Jewish students. This executive action is a significant step towards ensuring the safety and security of American communities and campuses, and upholding the values of justice and peace.

Vika Bekker’s journey to Stern College for Women was anything but traditional. Raised in a secular Jewish home in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, she first connected with Judaism through NCSY in high school, despite her immigrant parents’ reluctance. By the time she transferred to Stern from the University of Illinois, she faced a new challenge: catching up with peers who had spent years immersed in Jewish education.

The Super Bowl is back, which means another year of Chazaq’s Halftime for Torah programming. When halftime rolls around, the Jewish world is encouraged to join an inspirational roster of speakers during the Chazaq Halftime for Torah program!

Larry Penner, a passionate advocate for public transportation, dedicated political leader, and prolific letter writer, passed away on January 16, 2025, at the age of 71, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Known for his tireless work in the transportation sector, Larry's career spanned more than three decades with the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration. He was an influential figure in shaping the policies and funding that benefited millions of commuters in New York, New Jersey, and beyond.

Moshe Koppel is Professor Emeritus of Computer Science at Bar-Ilan University in Israel. He has published over 100 scientific articles in mathematics, computer science, linguistics, law, economics, political science and other disciplines.

On Thursday, January 23, the New York City Council passed Resolution 0713-2025, co-prime sponsored by Council Members Eric Dinowitz and Keith Powers, recognizing January 27, 2025, as the 80^th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest of the Nazi death camps, and commemorating January 27 annually as Auschwitz Remembrance Day in New York City to honor the memories of the over one million Jews and tens of thousands of others who were brutally murdered there at the hands of the Nazis during World War II.