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Our grandmother, Sarah Richter, was suddenly taken from us on January 27 – kaf zayin Teves. Bubby Sarah, as she was lovingly known, evokes the image of a woman larger than life. She exemplified the qualities of a baalas bitachon on the highest level, combined with a simchas ha’chayim, and a stunning ability to connect with friends and family alike, on a warm and personal level.

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.

Fifteen months ago, on October 7, 2023, Arab Muslim terrorists, associating as Hamas, broke a ceasefire with Israel by murdering 1,200 innocent Jews, including peace activists, at an all-night “nova festival” and regular families in their nearby kibbutz homes. They murdered, they raped live women before murdering them, and raped women they had already murdered. They beheaded men, women, and children, sliced off body parts while their victims still were alive, and burned living, breathing babies to death in kitchen ovens.

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.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, the highest-ranking Jewish Republican in America and the first Jewish Executive in the county’s history, kicked off his re-election campaign with a rousing speech in Massapequa.

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.