Community Corner

David HaMelech said: “Va’ani kirvas Elokim li tov” (As for me, being close to Hashem is what’s considered good). What King David (David HaMelech) desired was only one thing: to be close with Hashem.

In front of the ornate aron kodesh of the Sephardic Lebanese Congregation on Avenue T in Brooklyn, and later in the simchah hall downstairs, leaders of the Igud HaRabbanim/Rabbinical Alliance of America and other distinguished guests crystallized the calling of leadership in our day. This has been the Igud’s mission since 1942, when it was founded by g’dolim such as Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky zt”l, Rav Gedaliah Schorr zt”l, and Rav Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz zt”l, and later encouraged and guided by the Lubavitcher Rebbe zt”l and Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l. The Igud currently has a growing network of nearly 1,000 diverse rabbanim across the country, as well as a Beth Din led by Rav Herschel Kurzrock, and a robust government advocacy operation.

The time surrounding the Yamim Noraim is filled with well wishes, blessings for peace and prosperity, success, and security. But this same period is one of deep concern for families that struggle financially. Sitting in elegance with our family at a Yom Tov table is a luxury not every family in our neighborhood is privileged to have. Leading up to the High Holidays, we open our wallets and dig deep to support local organizations in our midst that help feed those less fortunate. All hope is not lost.

On Friday morning, August 27, Rabbi Michael Mansour shared a shiur about entering Rosh HaShanah with appreciation. He began with speaking about the mitzvah of Bikurim, which requires us to bring the first fruit, but there is no limit and no set amount. A person brings his first fruits to the kohen and acknowledges that Hashem did this for him. The Torah states, “You will be happy with all the good that Hashem gave you.” The question Rabbi Mansour posed is: “How does the mitzvah of Bikurim make you happy?”

Devastation. Destruction. Unprecedented. These are just a few of the words being used to describe the catastrophic Tropical Depression named Ida that wreaked havoc throughout the tri-state region on the evening of Tuesday, August 31. The historic storm disrupted life for many New Yorkers and caused insurmountable damage, causing Governor Kathy Hochul to declare a state of emergency just after midnight. Travel was discouraged and a broad range of public transportation was halted, stranding commuters.

As we go about our daily lives, we often forget about those who are fighting for us in the halls of our government. The Queens Jewish Alliance, under the guidance of Sorolle Idels, makes it a point to bring light to the complex issues affecting our neighborhoods and ensures that our voices are heard loud and clear on the phones, in the inboxes, and at the podiums of where our elected officials preach.