Queens Jewish Link
Connecting the Queens Jewish Community 
President Trump once again has demonstrated his profound love and respect for the Jewish people and the beleaguered State of Israel. He became the hero of heroes and the champion of champions when he recognized Israel’s eternal sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which Israel annexed in 1981. He should be thanked over and over again.
Many of us would not consider ourselves political individuals and do not put going to the polls on our list of priorities. Nonetheless, casting your ballot gives you a voice on issues ranging from housing and education to employment and healthcare. Being involved in the voting process allows you make a real difference in the makeup and decisions within your community. Casting a vote has dire consequences for the quality of life that both you and your family experience today and in the years ahead. From riding the bus or train to raising minimum wage to getting better textbooks in school, your vote decides how these issues will play out. Casting your ballot affords you the opportunity to delegate how your hard-earned tax dollars are divvied out for necessities like medical expenses and social services that many take for granted.
Now that we have celebrated Purim with its chagigos, Purim shpiels, and all the hooplahs, it’s time for a reality check and thinking about Pesach. Each year, the celebration of the holiday gets more and more expensive. Our Rabbis state that our celebration for Pesach is incomplete if we fail to provide for those in need in our community. They further teach us that we are truly G-dly in our behavior when we actively respond to the poor and vulnerable. Caring for and giving to those less fortunate is our righteous obligation, responsibility, and duty. The chiyuv (obligation) to combat poverty is meant to be an expression of our achdus (unity) as a people. The giving of charity is a fundamental part of Jewish life.
The tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk is still being covered by Israeli news. Articles, pictures, and videos have been posted on countless sites, and many leaders – including Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israel’s Chief Rabbi – expressed their grief over his loss. All this coverage really surprised me, since the overwhelming majority of Israelis had never heard of him before he was murdered. Good friends of mine, including successful attorneys and businessmen, only discovered who Charlie was after it was too late, and only now have started watching his videos and reading his powerful words.
By the time you read this, we may well know the result of the Special Election for the City Council. But if you think there will be a respite from politics, guess again. The big election this year will be the Primary on June 22. The winner has already started running for re-election and potential opponents are already gearing up. They will start collecting signatures to get on the ballot in less than three weeks.
Make no mistake about it: This is not your “regular” war. Iran is the self-proclaimed leader of the Islamic world, and for decades, they have financially supported terror regimes across the Middle East. They have just one goal in mind: to bring their ancestor Haman’s dream to fruition. Over 2,500 years ago, the King of Persia (modern-day Iran) approved his minister’s plan to “destroy, kill, and exterminate all of the Jews, from young to old, children and women.” And while - Baruch Hashem - that plan failed, today’s modern-day Haman is convinced he can be the one to complete the job.
