Community Corner

In response to the escalating war in Eretz Yisrael, Chazaq, a dynamic nonprofit organization dedicated to community enrichment, rapidly and effectively organized a series of 13 chizuk and T’hilim events throughout the tri-state area, and virtually, for Jews around the world to participate, as well.

Rabbi David Katz, Executive Director of the Israel Heritage Foundation, is now on the ground in Eretz Yisrael. Through the IHF War Relief Drive, the group has been able to give out aid to families where a spouse is serving in combat. Rabbi Katz has also distributed aid to families that were forced to flee their homes due to the danger of the war. Some of the funds were passed to an organization that purchases wash machines for internal refugees from southern Israel. These families had been knocking on strangers' doors asking to use their washing machines to wash their families' laundry. Rabbi Katz and his team mobilized to provide these families with washing machines and laundry detergent.

The serenity of Shabbos took on real significance for students in the Emet Leaders Fellowship. This past weekend, 30 college students from Queens College, St. John’s University, Baruch College, Adelphi University, and other schools left the intensity of their weekday lives for a spiritual Shabbos in Passaic, New Jersey. Celebrating Shabbos was a welcome opportunity to show unity as Jews, in light of the devastating events in Israel and the rise in anti-Semitism on campuses. “It was amazing to come together during such tragic times and keep Shabbos in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Israel,” said Milana Yagudayev, Queens College student.

An update about Israel not seen in mass media was given by a former long-time member of the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills who made Aliyah last year.

BIRTHS

Hillel and Shana Adler on the birth of a son, Moshe Elazar (Ethan Michael). Mazal tov to the grandparents, Yitzchok and Leslie Adler, and Paul and Shelli Kuflik. Mazal tov to the great-grandmother, Charlotte Dachs.

Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato arranged an urgent school safety