Community Corner

On the third day of Chol HaMoed, Wednesday, October 4, Beth Gavriel brought the greater Forest Hills Jewish community a Simchas Beis HaSho’eivah to remember. The program featured the musical talents of Shlomi Alishaev and Shimon Deri, two well-known stars on the local Jewish music scene who performed in the expansive shul sukkah. Deejay Avraham provided a festive atmosphere for the evening. The world-renowned Twin from France kept the youth spellbound with a fantastic show beforehand in the shul’s ballroom. Words of chizuk were delivered by shul rabbanim Rav Emanuel Shimonov, rav of the main minyan; and Rabbi Tomer Zino, rav of the popular Netz minyan.

Central faculty and administration are constantly searching for ways to identify and develop student talent. With this in mind, the school is partnering with Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks-Herenstein Center for Values and Leadership to launch its newest initiative: the Central Leadership Track. Based on the idea that leadership is less a mysteriously acquired talent and more a learned asset that can be shaped with education and experience, the track is designed to locate and nurture students who are interested in becoming leaders both within and outside the Central community.

Emergency Fund Launched to Support the People of Israel

Israel is at war, and in response to the overwhelming – and rapidly escalating – scope of the crisis, UJA-Federation of New York is allocating an initial $10 million in emergency funding from its endowment to provide immediate relief to victims of the vicious terrorist attacks.

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 who put their absolute trust in Him.

Khal Adas Yereim of Kew Gardens, under the auspices of Rav Wolpin, the oldest son-in-law of the previous rav, HaRav Shlomo Teitelbaum zt”l, continued its decade-long tradition of hosting a community-wide Simchas Beis HaSho’eivah. In the beginning, it only attracted families from Kew Gardens and Richmond Hill, but more recently all parts of Queens (many from Kew Gardens Hills) have joined. Guests from Flatbush and from Lakewood also participated.

Federal grants, which Meng helped to fund, will assist 11 local synagogues, schools and nonprofits with protecting their properties against threats and attacks

US Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), New York’s senior member of the House Appropriations Committee – which funds the activities of the federal government – announced Tuesday that nearly $1.7 million in federal funding for security improvements has been awarded to 11 Jewish facilities in Queens.