News

On Sunday, December 18, the Young Israel of Hillcrest opened its doors to the Queens Jewish community with a phenomenal addition to its youth programming: a Pre-Chanukah Extravaganza. Renowned entertainer Jester Jim performed for a standing-room-only crowd in the YIH social hall. Children of all ages, together with their parents and grandparents, filled the shul with a spirit of excitement and laughter, as they were amazed by Jester Jim’s juggling tricks and non-stop humor.

On the eve of Chanukah, Sunday, December 18, Met Council, America’s largest Jewish charity dedicated to fighting poverty, hosted a Chanukah Day of Service to benefit home-bound Holocaust survivors with US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Attendees from throughout New York City gathered at Community Board 12 in Brooklyn to pack food for survivors with Senator Gillibrand and her teenage son.

It is truly amazing! Year after year, Yeshiva Madreigas HaAdam celebrates its annual dinner in a fashion that is simply extraordinary. The excitement and joy that permeates these gatherings imparts the attendees with a surge of energy that provides them with a long-lasting wellspring of ruchniyus.

Chabad On Campus hosted their annual menorah lighting on the Queens College campus, this past Monday evening, December 19, the second night of Chanukah. A remarkable forty students watched a six-foot ice menorah being carved, while they enjoyed delicious sufganiyot and soothing hot chocolate for a wintry evening. The unique lighting ceremony was co-sponsored by the Queens College Hillel, and the OU’s Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus (OU-JLIC). “It is always wonderful when the students come together, even in frigid temperatures, to celebrate Chanukah and show their Jewish pride on campus,” said Rabbi Shaul Wertheimer, rabbi, Chabad of Queens College.

Over 300 community members came out in support of Shalom Task Force (STF) at its annual brunch on December 11 at the Sephardic Temple. This year, STF honored Jenny Gerber as the Guest of Honor for her incredible dedication as an educational volunteer, advocate and board member of the organization. STF recognized 18Forty and Rabbi Dr. Dovid Bashevkin as Community Changemaker, and their work to surface important conversations in the Jewish community. Senator Toby Ann Stavisky and Assemblywoman Stacy Pheffer Amato were recognized for their Public Service and lauded for their exceptional commitment to STF and survivors of domestic violence throughout New York State.

Rosenthal leads Queens Jewish Community Leaders in hate crime conversation with top city officials

Assemblymember Daniel Rosenthal hosted Mayor Adams, NYPD Commissioner Sewell, and other top City officials for a town hall focused on the rise in attacks against Jewish New Yorkers. Joined by Queens Jewish Community leaders from all around the borough, Rosenthal, Adams, and Sewell fielded questions on city and state strategies to tackle the drastic rise in hate-related attacks around NYC. The meeting was held at Shevach High School in Kew Gardens Hills, where students also voiced safety concerns to the panel amid recent crimes in the area.