Queens Jewish Link
Connecting the Queens Jewish Community 
Can you imagine adopting six babies with Down syndrome?
On Sunday night, May 19, an overflow crowd of community women gathered at the home of Sima Mandelbaum to show support for the Erna Lindenfeld Hachnosas Kallah Fund of Queens and to hear an inspiring lecture paying tribute to the beloved mothers in our lives. Mrs. Brenda Katina, a mother par excellence, shared her experience of raising six special-needs children with Down syndrome.
On Monday, May 6, the Young Israel of Holliswood hosted a virtual Rosh Chodesh Iyar women’s shiur featuring Mrs. Chani Juravel, LCSW and popular lecturer. She spoke about S’firas HaOmer and the idea of counting seven weeks in a way that is complete. She shared that we need to ask ourselves as we count, did I make it a complete week? Did I really live every day in a unique way? We should try to experience deep appreciation for what we have. When we come up against difficulties, we should tell ourselves that today I’ve become that much more complete.
On Sunday night, May 19, Rabbi Joey Haber, Rav of the Magen David Shul (in Flatbush) and well-known speaker, spoke on behalf of Chazaq at the Torah Cener of Hillcrest on the topic of “Anti-Semitism, the Jewish Perspective.” The shiur was l’ilui nishmas Eliyahu ben Stam, Liza Brachah bas Ketziya, Rabbi Michael Haber z”l, and HaRav Menachem ben Chanah.
On Sunday night, May 5, the community participated in the annual Yom HaShoah commemoration with a virtual shiur in memory of Martin Dov Berger z”l, a Holocaust survivor and father of Ephraim Berger, the MC of the program.
On Sunday evening, May 12, community members gathered at Congregation Etz Chaim for a special Yom HaZikaron event. Rabbi Moshe Rosenberg, Rav of the congregation, welcomed everyone and outlined the program.
On Sunday evening, April 14, the community gathered for an informative lecture on Pesach preparations at the Lander College for Men. The lecture was hosted by Chazaq, the OU, and the Lander College for Men, and it was moderated by Rabbi Eli Eleff, OU Rabbinic Coordinator / Director of Kashrus Education.
