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Jews worldwide have embraced the feeling of achdus, seeking new ways to bring unity. This past Shabbos, the Young Israel of Forest Hills (YIFH) hosted the legendary media magnet Nachum Segal and his wife Stacey, parents of Yosef Segal, president of the Young Professionals Minyan (YPM). I was privileged to join the scholar-in-residence as a guest of Rabbi Dr. Elimelech and Chavie Gottlieb, parents of shul president Dovid Gottlieb, for the Friday evening gala Shabbos seudah. Since accepting the presidency this past July, Dovid, a third-generation Young Israel member, has revamped the facility with renewed growth and budding prospects bringing a fervent achdus into the Modern Orthodox community of Southern Forest Hills.

Nearly 300,000 Jews descended on Washington, DC’s National Mall from the Capitol’s West Front to the Capitol Reflecting Pool this past Tuesday, Rosh Chodesh Kislev, to cry “Never again!” and show unadulterated, unapologetic, and complete solidarity with Israel and the Jewish People. Another 300,000 joined virtually through over a dozen options available by leading media outlets, including Stand With Us and the event organizers, whose livestream feed had a steady 65,000-plus.

Council Member James Gennaro and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation deserve a round of applause for bringing peace of mind to Kew Gardens Hills residents in the aftermath of a despicable arson incident at Queens Valley Playground, commonly known as the Shabbos Park, adjacent to P.S. 164. The Council Member took an active role in intervening to ensure a swift replacement to the damaged area, working directly with Queens Parks Department Borough Commissioner Jackie Langsam.

Outgoing President Michael Nussbaum honored for lifetime commitment

As a guest of Linda Spiegel of Margaret Tietz and as a QJCC board member, I was privileged to attend one of the strongest shows of local solidarity for Israel to date. The dignitaries at the Queens Jewish Community Council’s 54^th anniversary gala held at Da Mikele Illagio in Elmhurst on Sunday, October 18, all agreed to Israel’s obligation to destroy Hamas. The evening also paid tribute to the lifetime of commitment to the Jewish community of outgoing President Michael Nussbaum.

Over 6,000 pairs already donated and in use

Members of the Young Israel of Holliswood have mobilized to outfit the IDF, becoming deeply engrossed on a mission to supply frontline soldiers with tactical military-grade boots, a drastic upgrade for reservists stuck with threadbare boots. “We have left our families and communities to defend Israel,” stated a thankful IDF General Daniel Jacobs, who was the first to inquire about the availability of appropriate footgear for his troops. “It is not easy leaving our children at home, but we believe in the cause of protecting the Israeli nation,” said Itay, another fellow in his unit. “You are our only hope!” insisted Gen. Jacobs, who subsequently received the boots.

S&M Pharmacy on Main Street has been a quintessential neighborhood store, serving medicine with a smile since 1969 when Stuart Pomper founded the family establishment; it’s now run by his son Sean of North Woodmere. Launched as an equal partnership with Martin Behar, a pharmacy school pal, they each used their life savings and some family capital to accrue the necessary $20,000 to begin. In 1984, Pomper became the sole owner and expanded to the current number of combined storefronts by 1989. Sean follows the motto that the customer is always right, a staple of his grandfather’s, the longtime proprietor of a Manhattan hardware shop. The pharmacy cherishes its neighborhood clientele with its core Orthodox Jewish base.