Shabsie Saphirstein

Great Neck community activist Dr. Paul Brody spent 14 continuous years advocating for the release of Jonathan Pollard, an American former intelligence analyst jailed for spying for Israel. The bulk of these efforts stemmed from Dr. Brody’s work as Chairperson of the Israel Day Concert in Central Park annually each June, where together with his wife Drora they made tremendous impact. Dr. Brody had a long-overdue sit-down with former inmate number 09185-016 who was incarcerated on November 21, 1985, and sentenced to life in prison on March 4, 1987.

Since establishing a Board of Directors and incorporating a handful of new coordinators, Queens Shmira has quickly become a vital communal resource for public safety measures. Their team of volunteers has seamlessly coordinated with the highest levels of city law enforcement, garnering praise from the three police precincts that cover the swath of neighborhoods housing the religious Jewish community of Queens.

The Executive Board of the Vaad Harabonim of Queens (VHQ) organized a special recognition event this past Sunday afternoon, January 28, to acknowledge the unrelenting commitment of Congress Members Gregory Meeks and Grace Meng to the Jewish People and the State of Israel. Like their staff, the Congress Members have taken on abuse online, at their offices, and have even been followed home by unfriendly observers. Protestors have not been silent in placing immense pressure on those they disagree with, but these two officials have stood, unwavering, in their defense and advocacy of Jewish causes.

In 1969, Rabbi Zalmen Deutscher established the present-day Yeshiva Primary as Yeshiva Institute, a day school recognized as the Yeshiva Academy of South Queens.

‘All About Kindness’ and UJA-led program highlighted by participation
of five local schools

An impressive 1,233 volunteers turned out for Lyudmila Mierova’s Queens-based “All About Kindness” annual MLK Day of Service on Monday, January 15. Student volunteers created hundreds of touching care packages for hospital-bound patients at New Hyde Park’s Cohen Children’s Medical Center and produced memorable arts and crafts for local senior citizens and neighborhood Jewish families experiencing unexpected crises. The program, held in collaboration with UJA-Federation of New York, served the greater Queens Jewish community by exhibiting unification through our shared values.

At this time, T'hilim is needed for two family members whose home was destroyed in an early Shabbos morning house fire this past weekend. The community is asked to pray for Yoel Ben Avraham, the patriarch, and Daniella Chaya bas Oksana Osnat, who remain hospitalized in critical condition. Yoel's heroics are quite noteworthy. The 50-year-old father managed to rescue his own daughter, who had been trapped in a bedroom when the blaze got out of control at around 2:15 a.m. Regrettably, the smoke and flames took its toll on Yoel, resulting in sixty-five percent of his body being burned. Thankfully, the hero is now off life support. But without the sole breadwinner supporting his family, finances are in desperate need.