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When a once-hopeful applicant to CUNY’s Queens College was denied acceptance, he opted to stand outside of the campus’ main gate with a megaphone in hand to amplify his racist, anti-Semitic, anti-Christian, and anti-Islamic statements. “These statements are contrary to our shared ideals and cause damage to our community,” wrote Chief Diversity Officer and Dean of Diversity Jerima DeWese in a campus email on 9/1 at 4:50 p.m., following an international media upheaval that began with a call for help.

The public came out in droves to Cunningham Park this past Wednesday night, August 24, for the annual Queens Jewish Community Council (QJCC) concert at the park. One thousand is a conservative estimate of the number of attendees at Jewish Music Under the Stars, featuring international singing sensation Avi Peretz.

Yom Tov preparations were in full swing this past Tuesday afternoon at the Lev Aharon Community Food Pantry in Kew Gardens Hills, operated as a joint venture between Met Council and Chazaq. The distribution was historic in that it welcomed New York City’s Comptroller Brad Lander and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams to the Queens neighborhood for their first visits. Often represented by their Jewish liaisons Pinny Hikind and Simon Sebag, respectively, this circulation allowed their reps to join legislators ahead of Rosh HaShanah.

Rabbi Fabian Schonfeld Way, a pledge announced at the recent Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills (YIKGH) dinner, was brought to fruition this past Sunday morning, August 21, at 150^th Street and 70^th Road, outside of the doors to the iconic shul that its namesake built. The street co-naming memorializes the Schonfeld family name in Kew Gardens Hills, giving a lasting legacy to the Queens Jewish community pioneer who broadly envisioned the flourishing frum neighborhoods of today’s Queens.

A sizeable showing of volunteers participated in the annual Tomchei Shabbos of Queens (TSQ) volunteer appreciation night held on Monday, August 22. This year, due to recent orders filling up their warehouse, TSQ held the event in the Simchah Hall at the Bais Yaakov Academy of Queens in Kew Gardens. The program included an inspiring lecture by noted orator Rabbi YY Rubenstein, a remarkable performance by seasoned juggling professional Michael Karas (@nycjuggler), table magic by Yoel Spielman, and of course included an array of delectable fleishig options, along with copious amounts of tasty sushi.

Rabbi Joey Haber, rav of Congregation Magen David in Brooklyn, visited Queens earlier this summer for a special night of inspiration on the life-altering topic of technology today. “Our job tonight is not to recite a token chapter of T’hilim. I need to shake your core. All of us must recognize and admit our weaknesses. Say no to the smartphone, and yes to a smart life.”