Ethan Felder’s campaign for the New York Assembly in District 28 has steadily been picking up pace. The current District Leader was “humbled and honored” to address the Queens Jewish Center congregation in his hometown of Forest Hills at a recent shalosh s’udos. In his remarks, Felder passionately explained the urgency that compelled him to launch a campaign.

This past summer, the Queens community was introduced to the New York Police Department Shomrim Society for the launch of their Safe Shabbat program at Hashevaynu in Kew Gardens Hills. On Thursday, March 24, members of the group hosted their highly anticipated Annual Dinner Dance and Installation of Officers. As we reconnect with friends and loved ones after over two years without large public gatherings, newly elected President Philip Weisbord greeted event goers with great pride. NYPD Chief of Department Kenneth Corey commended the NYPD Shomrim Society for their efforts in support of their Jewish membership and the city as a whole. Chief Chaplain and NYPD Shomrim Society Spiritual Director Dr. Rabbi Alvin Kass led the prayer over the event and broke bread with special guest NYC Mayor Eric Adams. The newly elected board members were honored by Mayor Adams, who administered their oath of office, and spoke passionately about fighting crime on behalf of all NYC residents.

For residents of Kew Gardens Hills, seeing a line a block long on 72nd Avenue for the Passover food distribution hosted by the Chazaq Organization and Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty is quite eye-opening. For others, the experience of seeing the charity in their neighborhood is heartwarming, but for all it is the selfless dedication of these two organizations and their staff and volunteers that brings out the best of a community on the precipice of a holiday that promotes family, progress, and renewal.

If you live or work in Kew Gardens Hills, you may remember Robert the Watchmaker, 71. The man with a smile, the Main Street staple is gone but never forgotten. Look at the photo of the short man with a goatee and a kind smile, sometimes with a loupe in one of his eyes as he tinkers with a watch in his small shop nestled between the Main Sweet candy shop and the Men’s Famous barbershop, on the same block as Main Street Cinemas.