Queens Jewish Link
Connecting the Queens Jewish Community 
“It appears there is nothing to be concerned about,” was last Thursday night’s message to the Queens Jewish community from NYPD Dep. Chief Richie Taylor, Comm. of the Community Affairs Bureau recorded following a dinner we shared together, regarding what were thought to be two suspected kidnapping attempts in KGH.
Yeshiva Tiferes Moshe held its 67th Annual Dinner on Wednesday, May 22, at Da Mikele Illagio in Elmhurst, Queens. The program paid tribute to Harbatzas HaTorah Awardees Rabbi & Mrs. Zev Davidowitz; Kesser Shem Tov Awardees Mr. & Mrs. Shmulie Diamantstein; and Parents of the Year Awardees Dr. & Mrs. Adam Cohen. A special, poignant memorial tribute was accepted by the family of Mr. Harvey Brodsky z”l, the Yeshiva’s longtime, famed English language educator.
The neshamah of Rav Shraga Feivish Hager zt”l, the self-effacing Kossover Rebbe, returned to the Olam HaEmes this past Shabbos night, June 29, around midnight, at 66 years of age, following a valiant battle with yeneh machalah that took the Rebbe to the best local and German medical facilities. The Rebbe was a respected leader with batei midrash at 55th Street and 13th Avenue in Borough Park, Williamsburg, Lakewood, and Yerushalayim, dayan of the Vizhnitzer-Monsey kehillah, based in Borough Park, poseik for Chesed Shel Emes, sought-after darshan, and sent regular support to the Kossov institutions of Tz’fas.
Judge Wendy Li explained that a vote for her is a vote for an impartial and independent judge poised to be effective at Queens County’s Surrogate’s Court.
On June 16, the Kew Gardens Synagogue social hall filled with mindful area residents for a symposium with leading New York Police Department brass entitled, Dialogue with the NYPD on Antisemitism in Our Community. Rabbi Daniel Pollack, Clergy Liaison for the 102nd Pct., moderated the discussion, which included insights of daily ongoings conducted on behalf of Queens and more broadly New York Jewry from the distinguished panelists. The noted speakers were Assistant Chief Kevin Williams, Commanding Officer of Patrol Boro Queens South; Deputy Chief Richie Taylor, Commanding Officer of NYPD Community Affairs Outreach Division; Deputy Inspector Jeremy Kivlin, Commanding Officer of 102 Precinct; and Sergeant Jesse Ankele alongside an attorney from NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force. As guests entered, Mark Davidovitch, a neighborhood Queens Shmira member, joined NYPD officers in providing public safety.
Jewish boys and girls enjoyed a grand Lag BaOmer parade and party this past Sunday afternoon, May 26, in Forest Hills. Together with Community Affairs Police Officer Keith Tuohey, and NYPD officers of the 112th precinct, I led a procession on behalf of Queens Shmira, where Jewish youth marched from the P.S. 175 playground by Yellowstone Boulevard and 65th Avenue and traveled towards 108th Street, and then to 66th Avenue, where we entered the yard outside the Queens Jewish Center for an interactive program that included exciting raffles. Queens shoppers are keenly aware of Chabad yeshivah bachurim who visit the business districts each Friday passing out parshah inspiration and offering men the opportunity to partake in the mitzvah of tefilin. A group of these men led the Forest Hills march to further connect with the families they meet weekly.
