Community Corner

Beginning on February 11, 3,600 students from six states around the country came together to celebrate Go Purple Day, a day that Shalom Task Force established to promote awareness around healthy relationships, as well as domestic abuse within the Jewish community.

Wednesdays have always been highly anticipated as the mid-point of the workweek – when the weekend is finally in sight. Now, the Women’s Division of Emet Outreach is adding momentum to the day with an extra boost of spirituality. A new series just debuted at the Emet Center, which delivers a morning of motivational Torah classes to students.

In the spirit of Purim, celebrated this year on Friday, February 26, the BACH Jewish Center in Long Beach will be delivering 100 holiday-themed care packages to the residents of the local Grandell Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. The group chose the number 100 to symbolize its growing membership, which has jumped by more than ten percent amid the pandemic. As part of the project, each synagogue member family will connect to the holiday traditions of sending food packages to neighbors (Mishloach Manos) and giving charity (Matanos LaEvyonim).

For the past 19 years, Purim has marked a unique milestone for the North Shore Hebrew Academy (NSHA) Middle School in Great Neck. It would have been two full decades that more than 325 seventh and eighth graders, both Ashkenazic and Sephardic, have chanted Megillas Esther in a student-led service for their schoolmates, faculty, and families - had it not been for COVID-19. Dr. Paul Brody, a dermatologist by profession, introduced the program in 2002 after realized that none of the young men had any knowledge of how to chant Megillas Esther. It has since become integral in NSHA’s curriculum. Students are enabled to read the Megillah at various synagogues, hospitals, nursing homes, and private homes, for those unable to attend public readings - especially relevant for this year’s pandemic.

This past week, Shalom Task Force began beating a new path in the world of dating and relationship education. In partnership with YU Connects and JLIC Connects, STF launched the “Dating with Purpose” group for men in shidduchim. This unique group, a combination of education workshop and discussion group, gives young men “in the parshah” the opportunity to come together with their peers, learn about relationship dynamics, the psychology of the dating process, and what they can do to make the most of their experience in this often confusing and challenging time of life.

Dear Friends,

Chickens For Shabbos (CFS) has become a legendary tzedakah originating right here in Kew Gardens Hills. Since its inception roughly 17 years ago, this charity has raised millions of dollars. Through the cooperation of Yad Eliezer in Israel, and other very reputable organizations in Queens, CFS has been instrumental in providing sustenance for a whole host of needy people.