Queens Jewish Link
Connecting the Queens Jewish Community 
Amid skyrocketing costs for basic groceries, and specifically a dramatic rise in egg prices, Met Council, America’s largest Jewish charity dedicated to serving the needy, is set to assist over 181,000 food-insecure Jewish New Yorkers in time for Rosh HaShanah, the start of the Jewish high holiday season.
On Sunday, September 22, Great Neck Synagogue (GNS), had the honor of hosting Major (res.) Nerya Meir, head of the Department of Zionist Activity in the Diaspora, of the World Zionist Organization (WZO). This event was coordinated by GNS members Dr. Paul Brody, President of the Long Island Region of the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) and activist Yehuda Goltche.
Tomchei Shabbos of Queens (TSQ) operates on a mission of putting the Queens Jewish underprivileged families before other charities, as they help our neighbors in our community. Assembly Member Sam Berger grew up watching the selfless work of TSQ, and this past week joined President Shimi Pelman and warehouse operations director Rabbi Yitzchak Katz to present $340,000 in a funding allocation that he secured from the State of New York State. The all-volunteer based group serves as "middlemen" between the hungry and those willing to share, and spends at least 90 cents of each donated dollar on food for distribution.
“By David, a psalm: The earth is to Hashem and its fullness, the inhabited land and those who dwell in it.” Many have the minhag to say chapter 24 of T’hilim on Rosh HaShanah night, before the completion of davening Maariv. The Aron Kodesh is opened, and each verse is recited by the chazan and repeated by the congregation. It is to be said slowly and with great emotion.
Tomchei Shabbos of Queens (TSQ), an all-volunteer, non-profit organization fighting hunger in our community, received a generous grant of $30,000 from New York City Council Member Lynn Schulman. Through collecting, transporting, and delivering donated and unwanted food, TSQ volunteers succeed in putting food on the tables of hungry families and individuals unable to afford the most basic of needs. The Council Member understands the effort of those involved in food pantry efforts and joined TSQ President Shimi Pelman and TSQ Director of Warehouse Operations R’ Yitzchak Katz in a formal presentation of the funding this past week.
Standing outside the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County (HANC), Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin announced the formation of an Anti-Semitism Task Force to confront the rising tide of hate. Clavin, along with rabbinical leaders and advocates from across the community, unveiled this initiative against a backdrop of alarming statistics and recent acts of anti-Semitic violence.
