Community Corner

The recent conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in devastating consequences for the people, especially the innocent children caught in the crossfire. With thousands of children hospitalized and orphaned, there is a severe need for something to bring a glimmer of joy to their lives and distract them from the horrors they have witnessed. In response to this need, the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with its members in the toy industry, their partners, and an amazing team in Israel to establish a distribution center and dedicated teams to bring toys to children in the areas under fire.

The serenity of Shabbos took on real significance for students in the Emet Leaders Fellowship. This past weekend, 30 college students from Queens College, St. John’s University, Baruch College, Adelphi University, and other schools left the intensity of their weekday lives for a spiritual Shabbos in Passaic, New Jersey. Celebrating Shabbos was a welcome opportunity to show unity as Jews, in light of the devastating events in Israel and the rise in anti-Semitism on campuses. “It was amazing to come together during such tragic times and keep Shabbos in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Israel,” said Milana Yagudayev, Queens College student.

In a significant move aimed at improving healthcare access and insurance coverage for the Queens Jewish community – and beyond, the Queens Jewish Community Council (QJCC) has announced a promising partnership with Keep NY Covered, an initiative dedicated to helping New Yorkers secure the healthcare coverage they need as pandemic-era protections for coverage end. Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers are at risk of losing their insurance in light of the expiration of the Continuous Enrollment Condition authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). This collaboration, designed to provide vital support for residents navigating the complexities of the healthcare system and recent changes in federal law, is thus a timely imperative to serve the community.

BIRTHS

Hillel and Shana Adler on the birth of a son, Moshe Elazar (Ethan Michael). Mazal tov to the grandparents, Yitzchok and Leslie Adler, and Paul and Shelli Kuflik. Mazal tov to the great-grandmother, Charlotte Dachs.

In response to the escalating war in Eretz Yisrael, Chazaq, a dynamic nonprofit organization dedicated to community enrichment, rapidly and effectively organized a series of 13 chizuk and T’hilim events throughout the tri-state area, and virtually, for Jews around the world to participate, as well.

Rabbi David Katz, Executive Director of the Israel Heritage Foundation, is now on the ground in Eretz Yisrael. Through the IHF War Relief Drive, the group has been able to give out aid to families where a spouse is serving in combat. Rabbi Katz has also distributed aid to families that were forced to flee their homes due to the danger of the war. Some of the funds were passed to an organization that purchases wash machines for internal refugees from southern Israel. These families had been knocking on strangers' doors asking to use their washing machines to wash their families' laundry. Rabbi Katz and his team mobilized to provide these families with washing machines and laundry detergent.