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“Has your shul reopened?” This is a topic of conversation when meeting at a neighborhood grocery. Regular shul-goers have had to grapple with praying at home for well over three months now. It was only recently that outdoor quorums had been allowed by local governments. Soon after, synagogues began opening their doors for socially distanced gatherings of ten men for a “minyan.” Around this time, leaders of many shuls sent their membership Google Forms inquiring about the demand for a minyan.

Here in Jamaica Estates, much of our daily spiritual and religious life revolves around our shul. It was a somber moment when the Young Israel of Jamaica Estates opted to shut its physical doors temporarily in the face of the COVID-19 health crisis. However, due to the tremendous efforts and talents of our leadership and our members, the community is not only surviving, but thriving.

Rebbetzin Zissel bas Reuven Chaim Margulies was niftar this past Shabbos afternoon, June 7, leaving the Kew Gardens Hills community with an immense loss. Rebbetzin Zissel was the devoted wife of Moreinu HaRav HaGaon Rav Shaul David HaKohen Margulies (niftar February 25, 1988) who led Khal Degel Israel at the corner of 68^th Drive and Main Street since 1958. The Margulieses resided at the shul, dedicating each day and night to spread the fire of the Torah. The Rebbetzin had much self-sacrifice for her devoted husband, as she recognized his love of Torah and his place as a leader for the Queens community. Rebbetzin Zissel remained at the shul for the next 32 years, continuing the ambitious legacy of Rav Margulies, and kept his vision shining ever so bright. The couple’s fierce adherence to mitzvos merited their daughter and son-in-law, HaRav David Zussman and Rebbetzin Rochel Sheinfeld to join Rebbetzin Zissel in continuing to build on the foundation that Degel Israel was built.

According to the Baal Shem Tov, every physical desire in this world really contains an aspect of love of Hashem. When we experience a physical pleasure, it makes it easier to come to love the Source of that pleasure. Since Hashem is the Ultimate Source of Good, connection to Him is the ultimate pleasure we can experience (M’or Einayim, Parshas VaEschanan).

If you are hosting a simchah, then you probably know Mr. Mark Mittel. He has been capturing simchah memories on film for members of our community for over 30 years.

Please recite Psalms 20, 30, 88, 121, and 130.

Rabbi Yaakov Eliyahu Menashe ben Rachel