Queens Jewish Link
Connecting the Queens Jewish Community 
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy association, released the following statement by Ashley Ranslow, NFIB’s New York State Director, responding to the MTA Board’s approval of the Congestion Pricing Plan, which imposes a $15 fee on vehicles and $24-36 fee on trucks, depending on size, for entering Manhattan below 60th Street:
The Queens Jewish community provided pizza and fries for the hardworking police officers keeping our neighborhoods safe, as their families partook in their respective Thanksgiving dinners. Queens Shmira volunteers visited the 107th Precinct in Kew Gardens Hills, and the 112th Precinct in Forest Hills to thank the law enforcement officers for their selfless dedication. Officers could not wait to enjoy the fresh delivery and quickly sat down for a meal. Much thanks to the community members who donated to the necessary cause.
The eighth day of Chanukah is known as “Zos Chanukah.” Zos Chanukah has the kedushah of the past seven days of Chanukah built up. The s’farim ha’k’doshim bring down how it’s a very auspicious time to gaze at the eight flames and daven from your heart. The day is m’sugal for one to daven for barren women to have children, for a r’fuah sh’leimah, and for one to be blessed with increased parnasah.
Come to the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills at 7:30 a.m. on any Shabbos morning and you will see the shul’s vibrant Hashkamah Minyan. The Hashkamah Minyan, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, is being recognized by the YIKGH at its upcoming dinner on December 17, 2023. According to Rabbi Daniel Rosenfelt, the Rabbi of YIKGH, “The rich history of the Hashkamah Minyan contributes to its current success, and we are looking forward to acknowledging that at our dinner.”
In recent days, CUNY’s Queens College has seen anti-Semitism rear its ugly head, even during a pro-Israel rally last week. What was meant as a vehicle for pro-Israel sentiment turned nasty as a pro-Palestinian activist approached Jewish students hurling insults, “Go back to Poland. Go back to Germany. That’s where you’re from,” as reported by New York Post. Many of these insidious remarks were captured on video, as Israeli flags were trampled upon by hooligans.
The Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), representing over 2,500 traditional, Orthodox rabbis in American public policy, last week welcomed news that the House Ways and Means Committee will consider bipartisan legislation to revoke the tax-exempt status of organizations providing financial support or resources to designated terrorist groups. The bill, sponsored by Rep. David Kustoff (R-TN) and Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL), comes after National Students for Justice in Palestine and Black Lives Matter groups celebrated the atrocities committed by the Hamas terror organization in Israel on October 7, while others, like American Muslims for Palestine and the Council on American-Islamic Relations, claimed Israel was responsible and are alleged to have direct ties to Hamas.
