BIRTHS

Dovid and Tzippy Berglas, and Binyomin and Chanie Perlstein on the birth of a grandson, born to Moishy and Hindy Perlstein of Lakewood

Doni and Rochel Leah Blumenthal on the birth of a daughter. Mazal tov to the grandparents, Dean and Gale Blumenthal.

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.

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.

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.