News

The Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), representing over 2,000 traditional, Orthodox rabbis in American public policy, called this week for Senators and Representatives to use the upcoming second session of the 117^th Congress to better take into account the views, interests, and rights of millions of Americans. CJV President Rabbi Pesach Lerner noted, “Numerous congressional actions over the past year threatened not only Jewish religious interests, but an environment conducive to progress on issues that all Americans respect and value.”

Every Yom Tov, Jews around the world converge with their families to celebrate in a festive environment. The December/January holiday season is often similar for the non-Jewish world. The innate character of a Jewish soul is to be giving and appreciative of those in our midst. In this light, various community organizations rose to acknowledge the hard work of law enforcement. This past Wednesday, December 22, the Queens Jewish Alliance organized a dinner delivery to the hardworking and devoted police officers of the 107th police precinct broadly servicing Kew Gardens Hills and surrounding neighborhoods. The notion for this opportunity was presented by Meshulam Lisker, a QJA member, and the group was quick to arrange the initiative. To show support to a local pizzeria, Naomi’s Pizza was chosen for the order. At the presentation to the officers, QJA chairperson Sorolle Idels expressed, “We are grateful to you for always being there to keep our communities safe and protected. We came over as representatives of our communities to say thank you and to wish you a happy holiday season.” In attendance were group members Jennifer Martin, Rabbi Yaniv Meirov, Rabbi Hayim Schwartz, Yaakov Serle, and Alan Sherman.

Emet Outreach has added “parenting” to the impactful and relevant topics at their monthly Couples Division workshops. Interested participants gathered at the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills for the first session on “Parenting 911: Using Ancient Values in Modern Times.” The class, which was taught from a Torah perspective, was a welcome offering. “As many of our alumni are now raising families, Emet is growing along with them,” said Rabbi Akiva Rutenberg, Emet Co-Founder and Director. “We’re always looking to support our students at every stage of their spiritual and personal journey, so parenting is the latest milestone on the continuum of classes we want to share.”

In November, at the annual Kosherfest trade show, the President of Star-K Kosher Certification, Dr. Avrom Pollak, met with Rabbi Menachem Genack, CEO of OU Kosher. During the conversation, Dr. Pollak extended to Rabbi Genack an invitation to visit Star-K headquarters and deliver a shiur for the staff of Kashrus Administrators. Rabbi Genack accepted the offer and, on Thursday, December 16, he arrived in Baltimore and was warmly welcomed by Star-K leadership and staff.

Rabbi Binyamin Grossman electrified the crowd at the Yeshiva Madreigas HaAdam 23^rd annual dinner with the announcement of their newest branch in the sixth borough of New York City. Yes, a new satellite yeshivah location recently opened in North Miami Beach, Florida. Yeshiva Madreigas HaAdam of Miami opened in Cheshvan this year and recently moved to its new permanent home on December 21. It was created as a brand-new branch of its parent yeshivah, Yeshiva Madreigas HaAdam in Hillcrest, Queens, and the two institutions share a Rosh HaYeshivah, HaRav Moshe Faskowitz. In Miami, the yeshivah is led by Rabbi Binyamin Grossman, Menahel, and Rabbi Noach Peled, Maggid Shiur.

If the frigid temperatures this past week are any warning of what lies ahead, we must brace for a harsher winter than last year. Last year’s storms led to many homeowners and motorists being stranded. Streets quickly flooded, causing basements and cars to become overwhelmed by water. Chaverim of Queens was just one of several organizations that stood up in a big way.