Shabsie Saphirstein

Neria Aranbayev z”l, 20, was the type of person with an energetic smile that one desired to emulate. Neria developed into an outstanding student of Torah and a beacon of light for the Kew Gardens Jewish community and the Bukharian community at large. His impact was known throughout the many Queens area shuls and organizations, and his love for Bukharian traditions and music knew no end. The child of Avraham (Alik) and Svetlana Aranbayev, and the brother to two loving sisters Irina Aran Sulay and Cristina Noa Aran, Neria had tremendous love and respect for all.

“New York State’s diversity is our strength, yet too many New Yorkers continue to live in fear, and today we say enough is enough,” Governor Kathy Hochul said, as she spoke in Kew Gardens Hills to rally against the rise in hate crimes at the Queens College Student Union Ballroom. “Hate, racism, and xenophobia have no place in our State, and this critical funding sends a clear message that New York stands united against individuals who seek to sow hatred and divide us.”

As I entered the YCQ courtyard, I was captivated by the sea of blue and white balloons that has defined the Yeshiva since its inception: their strong sense of Zionism, love for Eretz Yisrael, and the upcoming holiday of Yom HaAtzmaut.

“An event like tonight’s has its clear positives – it is empowering, it is educational, it is about communities banding together, and it highlights the government support there is against hate,” stated Rabbi Mayer Waxman, Executive Director of the Queens Jewish Community Council (QJCC), this past Monday evening, April 25, at an informative discussion held between Jews and Asian Americans to combat hate. The conversation, sponsored by the QJCC and StandWithUs, gave advice on how one should respond to the rising incidents of hate attacks and gave an understanding why these attacks transpire.

Last week, Council Member James F. Gennaro took part in District 24’s Annual Chametz Sale, a tradition dating back decades. When we sell our chametz, we transfer ownership of it, allowing us to avoid the prohibition of owning it during Pesach. Gennaro took on the ownership of chametz for many shuls and their thousands of worshippers. “I have been doing this for more than 20 years,” stated the Council Member. “It is most gratifying to be able to participate in a very meaningful way in this most significant Jewish holiday.” The sale was coordinated by Rabbi Dr. Richard Weiss of the Young Israel of Hillcrest, who took the lead in organizing many rabbis and shuls in Hillcrest, Jamaica Estates, and Long Island. Rabbi Peretz Steinberg, Rabbi Emeritus of the Young Israel of Queens Valley, took the initiative of gathering the many rabbis and shuls represented in Kew Gardens Hills. “I consider it a privilege to be of service,” concluded Gennaro.

The Queensborough Community College Student Union was abuzz with warm congratulations for Linda Lee on Sunday afternoon, April 3, as she was sworn in to lead the Eastern Queens neighborhoods of Bayside Hills, Bellerose, Douglaston, Floral Park, Fresh Meadows, Glen Oaks, Hollis, Hollis Hills, Holliswood, Little Neck, New Hyde Park, Oakland Gardens, and Queens Village in the New York City Council.