Community Corner

QJL: Why did you decide to seek a seat in the City Council as our representative?

LS: I am a proud member of the Jewish faith who grew up in Forest Hills. I have been active in the community for over 30 years, and served on various community and civic organizations, including Community Board 6, the 112^th Precinct Council, the Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce, and many others.

One of the deadliest single massacres in the history of the Holocaust, the Babyn Yar mass killing committed by the Nazis in Kyiv, Ukraine, on September 29 and 30, 1941, heartlessly stole the lives of more than 33,000 Jewish men, women, and children. Standing in solidarity with Queens’ Jewish and Ukrainian communities, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. traveled to Ukraine earlier this month to participate in a series of events commemorating the 80^th anniversary of the massacre.

Emet Outreach’s Couples Division recently hosted the second inspiring installment of their new workshop series. The fitting topic, “Creating the Marriage You Always Wanted,” attracted over 60 couples who selected one of two evenings to participate in the interactive program. Held at the Young Israel of Jamaica Estates, the workshops provided an impactful educational and social opportunity for Emet’s growing community of couples.

Daily Giving, a unique effort in which one can guarantee himself/herself a mitzvah every day by automatically donating one dollar to tz’dakah, has reached another major milestone. The organization has signed up more than 8,000 members who give charity together each day. Daily Giving is now scheduled to donate almost $3 million to its beneficiary nonprofit organizations over the next 12 months.

The Rachel’s Children Reclamation Foundation (RCRF) commemorated the yahrzeit of Rachel Imeinu on Sunday, October 17, 11 MarCheshvan, the yahrzeit of Rachel Imeinu, at its 27^th Annual Yahrzeit Dinner. This year was doubly exciting, with two separate programs – one in Jerusalem’s Baka neighborhood, just a stone’s throw from Kever Rachel, and the other at the Manhattan Beach Jewish Center – since RCRF Founder Evelyn Haies made aliyah with her husband Jay on July 4, 2021.

Unique focus on health and healthcare will offer training for careers in medical and behavioral health settings