Local

Margaret Tietz Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Jamaica Hills was created to ease the tribulations of the Holocaust survivor population. Today, although no longer a nonprofit, the facility faithfully continues the tradition of hosting a moving Yom HaShoah Remembrance Day for Jewish Martyrdom and Heroism Service. The annual program was held this past Monday morning, May 6, in the center’s shul. Those gatherings mourned the six million brutally murdered by the Nazis.

Tomchei Shabbos of Queens (TSQ) conducted a successful pre-Pesach chametz drive on the morning of B’dikas Chametz, Sunday, April 21. The program was an opportunity for the greater Queens Jewish community to contribute food items that they might otherwise have been discarding ahead of the chag.

Seymour (Sey) Schwartz is widely recognized for his communal work at Community Board 8, where he serves as Second Vice Chair. Nearly 80 years ago, Schwartz served in a different capacity – in the Second World War – but was never properly recognized for his achievements. In recent weeks, a slew of accommodations were issued to the local veteran. The Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service issued by US Secretary of the Army Christine E. Wormuth was first to arrive in a presentation by an Army honor guard at the Queens Civic Congress’ annual Legislator’s Reception.

SINAI Schools will hold its annual Unique Inspirations Student Art Show on Wednesday, May 22, 5-6:30 p.m., at a private home in Queens. Generously sponsored by Bear Givers, the family-friendly event will feature artwork by students at its SINAI@YCQ campus created through SINAI’s Paley-Mironov Art Therapy Program.

The second night of Passover marked the ninth anniversary of the passing of our unforgettable friend and leader of the Coney Island community, Mr. Stanley I. Schumsky, of blessed memory.

On the surface, the days of S’firas HaOmer seem to have two somewhat contradictory themes: On one hand, it’s a time of mourning, when we limit joyous activities, like making a wedding, listening to music, or buying new clothes. On the other hand, the month of Iyar, which sits in the middle of S’firas HaOmer and contains the majority of its days, is a time of great rachamim (compassion) and an influx of Divine healing. The Hebrew letters that spell the month of Iyar are actually an acronym for the phrase “Ani Hashem Rof’echa” – “I am G-d, your healer” (Sh’mos 15:26).