Community Corner

This coming Wednesday, August 5, Tu B’Av at 10:00 a.m. EST, join over 500,000 Jews from around the world uniting together in tefillah for shidduchim - “Tu B’Av Together”

One moment. 500,000 Jews. Across the globe. Together for shidduchim. Tu B’Av Together.

The race for the Democratic nomination for Queens Borough President came to a widely-expected conclusion on Tuesday afternoon, July 21. Elizabeth Crowley, the candidate with local backing from the likes of Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills’ Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld and community activists Nechemiah Hoch, David Reich, and Alan Sherman conceded her bid with an endorsement of Councilmember Donovan Richards. Crowley called for unity throughout the diverse borough of Queens on the path to getting its fair share.

The death of iconic lawmaker and civil rights activist Rep. John Lewis, 80, was marked across the country by many communities, honoring a living link to the pivotal moments and individuals of the decade when African Americans secured their right to vote.

A graduate of the Yeshiva of Central Queens with an interest in US political history, Kew Gardens Hills’ Sam Verstandig got to see two major historical events – the Senate impeachment trial of President Trump, and the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on Congress – up close a few months ago from the Senate floor. Verstandig, who will be a senior this fall at the Yeshiva University High School for Boys (MTA), served as a Senate Page this winter, one of 100 high school juniors from around the country who participated in the nearly-two-century-old program that combines messenger duties on Capitol Hill with studies at the “very vigorous” Senate Page School.

It seems the mayor was right – former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, that is. On his WABC radio show Chat With The Mayor, Giuliani took a question from a caller asking the mayor’s take on the planned caravan in Queens. “Rabbi Moses, I do hope the cars will be socially distanced,” he quipped. The mayor then blessed the program with success and hope for its safety.

For over 14 years, the Emet Leaders Fellowship has provided thousands of unaffiliated Jewish college students with an introduction to Judaism and their first Shabbos experience. It is a program that has inspired young adults to make a deeper commitment to Judaism as they set the course for their professional and personal lives. This past March, Emet’s fellowships were in full swing at St. John’s University, Stony Brook University, and Baruch College, as well as in Forest Hills for students from multiple campuses. Students were in the midst of weekly learning sessions with Emet educators and were participating in impactful Shabbatons. They were even planning the program’s summer highlight – a trip to historical sites in Poland and Prague. Then, suddenly, the semester was paused when campuses were forced to shutter their doors in response to COVID-19. In the throes of this uncertainty, Emet’s educators and students rose to the challenge of sustaining the seeds of religious growth that had been planted.