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Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz participated in a Queens Community Network event, hosted by the New York Board of Rabbis, to address the borough’s ongoing fight against hate crimes. Speaking before a gathering of rabbinical and spiritual leaders, she outlined the measures her office has taken to combat antisemitism and enhance the security of all Queens residents.

The Queens Jewish Link (QJL) marked a milestone that blended tradition, pride, and purpose – an exuberant bar mitzvah celebration honoring 13 years of publication and 600 issues of impactful journalism. The event, emceed by the charismatic Nachum Segal, drew a vibrant crowd to the Young Israel of Jamaica Estates of community leaders, elected officials, and Jewish activists who gathered to reflect on the paper’s legacy, and honor a slate of individuals whose dedication has fortified the Jewish spirit in Queens and beyond.

For the past six years, I’ve been on the outside of politics, looking in. In that time, I’ve written and published over 500 columns in a wide variety of outlets covering everything from current events to cultural and social issues to deep political analysis.

The familiar surroundings of the Emet Center on Union Turnpike were temporarily traded for the grandeur of Buckingham Palace when students and staff traveled across the pond for a first-ever trip to London, England. This landmark jaunt was the culmination of an 8-week jHealth program designed to integrate Judaism with a future in medicine. Thirty-five students from Queens College and Adelphi University were accompanied by a devoted Emet team including Co-Founders Rabbi Akiva Rutenberg and Rabbi Mordechai Kraft, as well as Program Director Sara Benyamin and her husband Yiggy. The five-day itinerary blended education, exploration and opportunities for impactful spiritual growth.

Queens Centers for Progress is made up of people working together to promote the independence of individuals with developmental disabilities. They play many different roles, but each of the agency’s more than 600 staff members is focused on this same goal.

As we approach the joyous holiday of Purim, we are reminded of one of the most powerful messages in Jewish history: No matter how dark the situation may seem, we must never give up hope. The story of Purim itself is a perfect example of this.