Top NYC officials get a behind-the-scenes look at TSQ’s Pesach preparations
Tomchei Shabbos of Queens (TSQ), a cornerstone of chesed in the Queens Jewish community, welcomed a distinguished political delegation to its Kew Gardens headquarters this past Friday afternoon, just ahead of its expansive Pesach distribution. The visit gave elected officials a firsthand look at how New York City Council grants have bolstered TSQ’s capacity to serve families with dignity, care, and discretion.
Leading the delegation was Honorable Adrienne Adams, Speaker of the New York City Council and a current mayoral contender. Her presence underscored the City Council’s investment in community-based organizations that uplift vulnerable New Yorkers. She was joined by Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, now a candidate for New York City Comptroller.
Shimi Pelman, President of TSQ, personally guided the visitors through the facility. A centerpiece of the tour was the unveiling of two new commercial-grade cooling units: a walk-in freezer, triple the size of its predecessor, and a walk-in refrigerator, now double in capacity. These vital upgrades significantly enhance TSQ’s ability to store and distribute essential kosher food, while enabling the organization—under the operational leadership of R’ Yitzchak Katz—to purchase food in bulk at reduced rates. Both units were already in full use, supporting the surge in demand leading up to TSQ’s Pesach drive, which successfully served over 400 local families this past Sunday afternoon.
The equipment plays a central role in the work of the supplemental emergency food bank, a trusted institution serving the Queens Jewish community since 1978. Thanks to its lean structure and devoted volunteer network, the organization operates with virtually no overhead, ensuring that resources go directly to those in need across the borough and into Nassau County.
The tour also featured leaders from Met Council, a longtime TSQ partner and one of the nation’s largest Jewish charities. CEO David G. Greenfield, Managing Director of Legal & External Affairs Aaron Cyperstein, and Agency Relations Manager Benjamin Zaientz joined the walkthrough, emphasizing the critical collaboration between citywide organizations and local efforts.
Among the other dignitaries in attendance were: Joann Ariola, James Gennaro, Bob Holden, Linda Lee, Julie Menin, Vickie Paladino, Lynn Schulman, and Sandra Ung, all City Council Members; Barry Grodenchik, President of the Queens Jewish Community Council (QJCC); Andrew Hevesi and David Weprin, New York State Assemblymembers; Pinny Hikind, Jewish Liaison to Comptroller Brad Lander; Melinda Katz, Queens District Attorney; Pesach Osina, Senior Community Liaison to Speaker Adams; Daniel Rosenthal, Vice President of Government Relations at UJA Federation of New York; Donovan Richards, Queens Borough President; Rabbi Mayer Waxman, Executive Director of QJCC; Rabbi Daniel Pollack, Clergy Liaison to the NYPD 102nd Precinct of Kew Gardens; Rabbi Shlomo Nisanov of Kehilat Food Pantry; Michael “Sully” Sullivan, Chief of Staff to Steve Cohen of Metropolitan Park; Yaakov Serle, Co-Publisher of Queens Jewish Link; and Robert Zimmerman, Great Neck political activist.
Their presence demonstrated strong intergovernmental alignment and communal unity in addressing food insecurity and strengthening family-focused services.
Speaker Adams praised TSQ for its efficiency and heart, stating, “This is what government partnerships should look like—uplifting and empowering communities from the inside.”
With a steadfast commitment to both civic responsibility and Torah-based values, Tomchei Shabbos of Queens remains a model of chesed in action. Through the unwavering support of elected officials and the tireless dedication of its volunteers and donors, TSQ continues to be a lifeline to hundreds of families every week—ensuring that the sanctity of Shabbos and the joy of Pesach are experienced with abundance and peace of mind.
By Shabsie Saphirstein
