Community Corner

Since October 7, 2023, the war in Israel has reshaped lives across the nation. Thousands have been injured, disabled, or killed, leaving behind widows, orphans, and countless families grappling with unbearable loss and struggling to meet basic needs. 

One of the most-used words during this challenging time in Israel is “chamal” (חמ״ל in Hebrew), an acronym for cheder milchamah (war room), which refers to a command center or “situation room” where individuals are mobilized for the war effort. Alongside the military command centers operating around the clock, there has been an incredible proliferation of civilian command centers, both in Israel and abroad. These “chamalim” have played a critical role in addressing the ever-evolving needs of both soldiers and civilians, and they have been at the forefront of ensuring that every IDF soldier is properly equipped to protect the Land of Israel.

On Dec. 4, Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University, presented the Hildesheimer Lecture to a packed audience in the Senate Room of the Humboldt University’s School of Law in Berlin. The annual lecture co-sponsored by Humboldt University and the Rabbinerseminar zu Berlin, has featured some of the most prominent Jewish thinkers of our time, with a dedicated focus to applying academic and Jewish thought to contemporary times. In his lecture, “Faith and Fellowship: A Historical and Legal Analysis,” Rabbi Berman explored the way in which the great medieval sages interpreted the talmudic model of the righteous gentile to shed light upon how Jewish values guide our responses to the challenging issues facing today’s society.

At the Annual Met Council Benefit recognizing leadership in supporting their causes. From left to right: Pesach Osina (Senior Aide to Council Speaker Adrienne Adams), NYPD Chief Richard Taylor, Council Member Lynn Schulman, Joel Eisdorfer, and Jason Koppel (Director, Northeast Region for AIPAC).

Sam Rappaport Emporio's Director of Marketing and Tony Raposo Store Manager at the Emporio of Teaneck location present Zev Cohn, the winner of Emporio's Design-a-Tie contest, with the new Vertu tie designed by Zev.

Over 1,200 Signatures Collected in Community Petition

The Issue

The Kew Gardens Hills (KGH) community is rallying to protect the sanctity of its public library’s children’s section. Sigalit Davidov, a concerned community member, has spearheaded a petition urging the Kew Gardens Hills Public Library management and the New York Public Library System Administration to take immediate action. The petition demands the removal of inappropriate, sexualized materials currently available in children’s areas, and calls for a halt to their advertisement.