Susie Garber

Yeshiva Kesser Torah, nestled in the center of Kew Gardens Hills in a small house with a big heart, hosts the most minyanim in the neighborhood.

It’s a special place where everyone is welcome, and everyone feels important! Ashkenazim, Sefardim, chasidim, and everyone else all daven together in harmony.

On Sunday evening, December 31, community members gathered at Beth Gavriel Center for a stirring night of inspiration hosted by Chazaq and Beth Gavriel in commemoration of the six-month yahrzeit of Carmela Yakubov’s father, Rafik Ribihav ben Frida, and in memory of those killed in the current war in Israel, for release of the hostages, and for the safety of our soldiers.

On Monday evening, January 8, community women gathered at the home of Shaindi Glaser for an inspiring, beautiful program that was a new leadership initiative for Bikur Cholim of Queens.

The goal of the program was to invite new volunteers and to raise awareness of the most vital mitzvah of Bikur Cholim.

On Sunday evening, December 24, Let’s Get Real with Coach Menachem featured a Zoom shiur with Mordechai Weinberger, LCSW, well-known speaker, author, and the Executive Director of the Serenity Center in Spring Valley, New York. Mr. Weinberger shared that it is part of human dynamics that no matter how close you are to someone, there will be places that you disagree. The question is how do you deal with this discord?

On Motza’ei Shabbos, January 6, Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser, well-known speaker and author, shared a meaningful virtual shiur on Pirkei Avos as part of the program “Make Saturday Night Motza’ei Shabbos,” which is hosted by Chazaq.

On Tuesday evening, December 26, community members flocked to The Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills to hear a presentation from Chaviv Friedman, a soldier who is currently fighting in the IDF.