Shabsie Saphirstein

Amid heightened concerns over security and rising antisemitism, leaders from Queens’ Jewish communities gathered at One Police Plaza on Wednesday, April 2, for the NYPD’s Annual Pre-Passover Security Briefing. The event demonstrated the city’s strong commitment to safeguarding Jewish residents during the upcoming Yom Tov of Pesach.

I was privileged to bask in the presence of Rabbi Eytan Feiner during my time in Eretz Yisrael at Midrash Shmuel. I had the unique opportunity to share meals with the rav and rebbetzin and listen to his wisdom, which has stayed with me to this day. His words resonate deeply, and I am honored to share the master maggid shiur’s message with others, especially as it relates to the timeless essence of Purim.

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.

 On Motza’ei Shabbos, February 8, the community gathered for a remarkable melaveh malkah at the Young Israel of Queens Valley held in commemoration of the third yahrzeit of Bryna Bracha bas Aryeh Yaakov a”h. The evening was a blend of inspiration, warmth, and remembrance, celebrating a life of chesed, Torah, and unyielding faith.

On Sunday, April 6, the streets of Jamaica Estates were filled with joy and timeless Jewish melodies as Queens Shmira, in partnership with the NYPD 107 Precinct, proudly led a spirited hachnasas sefer Torah procession. The uplifting event dedicated the new sefer Torah to the House of Torah congregation.

In Yiddishkeit, time is more than a tool for scheduling—it is a vessel for kedushah. Every moment is tied to z’manim—fixed times for t’filah, limud Torah, and avodas Hashem. As clocks move forward this Sunday for Daylight Saving Time (DST), the annual debate reignites—not just about hours of sunlight, but about how artificial shifts in time affect frum life. With President Trump’s recent comments reigniting discussions about ending DST, the issue has taken on new urgency. While much of the country views this as a question of convenience, for the Torah-observant community, it strikes at the very core of halachic living.