Queens Jewish Link
Connecting the Queens Jewish Community 
The Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel (IBSI), dedicated to strengthening the relationship between Israel and the Jewish people, and people of African descent through education and advocacy, and the Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), representing over 2,500 traditional, Orthodox rabbis in matters of public policy, Monday called for renewed partnership on the occasion of Martin Luther King, Jr., Day.
By a vote of “7 Yes” and “4 Abstaining,” District 28’s Community Education Council (CEC) – covering students and their families in Briarwood, Forest Hills, Jamaica, Kew Gardens, Richmond Hill, Rego Park, and South Ozone Park – passed a resolution against anti-Semitism. Another resolution against hatred passed unanimously during their meeting on Thursday, January 4.
Following the initial shock of the Hamas massacre in southern Israel, and days of desperate incessant news-following, many Jewish institutions and communities across North America rallied to do anything they could to help war-torn Israel.
Emet’s Women’s Division rose to the occasion with a motivational and meaningful challah bake. Over 150 mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends gathered in solidarity to “knead, connect, and pray” for Am Yisrael. Held at the Young Israel of Jamaica Estates, the décor featured a Kotel backdrop to evoke Yerushalayim and there were many impactful touches that added to the emotion of the night. It was clear that this was not a typical challah bake since, aside from ingredients, each table displayed framed photos of chayalim who lost their lives in the war.
There are countless compliments and praises of the sacred and holy book of T’hilim. Our Rabbis and great Sages teach us that we can save many people from sickness or anything bad by just reciting T’hilim.
In Parshas VaEira, Hashem commanded Moshe to first warn Pharaoh about the impending plague. Moshe told Pharaoh that if he refused to free the Jews to serve Hashem, “So said Hashem, ‘In this you shall know that I am Hashem.’ Behold, I am going to strike with the staff that is in my hand upon the water that is in the river and it shall turn to blood.” After warning Pharaoh, Moshe is then commanded, “Tell Aharon, ‘Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt…’” Why does Hashem specify that Aharon should be the one to initiate the plague? In addition, this pattern is repeated with the next two plagues – frogs and lice.
