Community Corner

The Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV) took renewed aim at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Tuesday, after the ADL announced a partnership with Hillel International, the Jewish college organization, to document antisemitism on American campuses. While such an effort is noble and worthwhile, the ADL, the CJV points out, demonstrated that it lacks the moral clarity to properly identify anti-Semitism, let alone combat it. An ADL spokesperson, describing the new initiative, wrongly claimed that “Anti-Israel activism in and of itself is not antisemitism” and that they would need to “carefully evaluate” student government resolutions supporting BDS – the international Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement – that seeks to destroy the State of Israel.

Rabbi-turned-comedian was an outspoken supporter of Israel
with what a friend called a Talmudic outlook on life – and had a Queens connection too

Jackie Mason, the rabbi-turned-comedian whose feisty brand of standup comedy led him to Catskills nightclubs, West Coast talk shows and Broadway stages, died Saturday. He was 93.

Shimi Pelman is well known for his innovative and pioneering efforts in the healthcare industry. Mr. Pelman’s acumen and philanthropic efforts shine in his role as president of Tomchei Shabbos of Queens, where he has humbly been a leading force feeding the community’s hungry long before the concept was popular. Mr. Pelman is also widely recognized throughout New York City for his vast array of political connections, largely due to maintaining the male district leader seat in for the 27^th Assembly District in Queens where Assembly Member Daniel Rosenthal proudly reigns.

To Jackie Mason, Queens – more specifically Kew Gardens Hills – was a home away from home. His revered brother, Rav Dov Berel (Bernard) Maza z”l, led Beis Medrash RE”M, opposite Bet Midrash TOV at 68^th Drive and 147^th Street, and Cong. Emunah Shleima, also in Kew Gardens Hills. RE”M, an acronym for his saintly father Rav Eliyahu Mordechai Maza, meant that Mason would forever be connected to Kew Gardens Hills, visiting at times. Mason, along with his Yiddish locutions, held dear his love for cantorial renditions, sometimes belting them out on stage, occasionally choosing to begin with a Keil Malei. At times, he was seen at the Young Israel of Forest Hills for S’lichos leading up to the High Holidays, as verified by community member Howard Schoenfeld, among others.

David HaMelech teaches us in T’hilim (32:10), “The one who trusts in Hashem, kindness will surround him.” If you put your trust in Hashem, He will shower you with kindness. Chazal assure us that Hashem grants special protection, mercy, and kindness to those that put their absolute trust in Him.  Rabbeinu Bachya ben Asher (1255-1340), in Kad HaKemach, wrote: “One who trusts in Gd, he is rewarded by being carried high above affliction – even when it is befitting for such affliction to befall him.”

It is hard to believe that a whole year has passed since the passing of the Hakham, Rabbi Yaa’qob Menashe. Indeed, many of us never imagined making it through a year without the Hakham’s advice, insights, Torah, teachings, and leadership. His passing has left a void in the hearts of so many, but his teachings continue to live on through the Torah he has disseminated through recorded shiurim and lectures, the ATorahMinute and NonStopTorah websites, and the books he has published on Halakhah and life events.