News

Dear Editor:

 I applaud Izzo Zwiren for his excellent article in last week’s issue of the Queens Jewish Link, titled “Are Jews White?” Izzo makes clear the neurosis that Jews have in dealing with anti-Semitism. It is always with an “excuse me” attitude for pointing to that form of pernicious racism that has plagued us since our very foundation. An example cited by Izzo is the case of New England Patriot Julian Edelman, who was brave enough to react harshly to the outright anti-Semitic remarks by NFL player DeSean Jackson, which included brandishing words (falsely) ascribed to Adolf Hitler ym”sh. Yet Edelman found it necessary to excuse his reaction by offering to take Jackson to the Holocaust Museum in exchange for his going to the Museum of African American History and Culture.

As you know the 11^th of Tamuz marks the 5^th Hebrew Yahrzeit for my father, Marshall Harlan Epstein, Meir Zvi ben Natan zichrono livracha. It is hard to imagine that five years have passed since my father’s petirah. Sometimes It is hard for me to bear.  I miss my father every single day, even if I don’t say it out loud. He is always in my thoughts and prayers. Every morning, when I pray., I never forget to say tehillim. That is when I think of him, because the power of tehillim can be strong. It pains me and I’m sure others when there is not much we can do to help our loved ones in situations of dire need, and prayer can be the best way to ask Hashem for help to heal our loved ones.

Dear Editor:

 My husband and I just came back from a walk down Main Street. When we passed the Graze and Grill Point, we were in shock. In front of Grill Point, two women who did not look Jewish (but it’s possible that they were) were eating food from Grill Point, but had their 7-11 Slurpees on the table and were drinking from them. In front of the Graze, a restaurant that serves meat, sat a man at a table eating a slice of pizza!

Dear Editor:

 In regard to last week’s Democratic Primary in-person voting results, I mistakenly reported that, along with Rep. Grace Meng’s reelection, her allies Morton and Sandra Povman had also been reelected as District Leaders. In fact, Mrs. Povman won, but Mr. Povman did not, losing to Mark Morrill, a member of Mel Gagarin’s campaign and the New Reformers slate that nominated opposition candidates across Queens.

Dear Editor:

 My name is Grace and I am proud to be your Member of Congress. Those of you who know me – and I am lucky to consider so many of you friends – have let me into your houses and lives over the past eight years. You have invited me to your families’ Seders and you have given me guidance when I have needed it most – both professionally and personally. We have celebrated together and we have mourned together, for leaders in our community and for the victims of hate crimes across the country, whether in Pittsburgh, San Diego, or here in New York.

Dear Editor:

 We anticipate receiving and reading the Queens Jewish Link every week. We enjoy reading neighborhood news and your commentators’ take on the news of the broader world. I salute and support your efforts wholeheartedly and wish you continued success during these difficult times for so many private enterprises.