Community Corner

On Shabbos, October 25, Parshas B’reishis, the Yeshiva of Central Queens JHS boys went to the Raleigh Hotel in upstate New York for their annual Shabbaton. All the boys participated in pre-Shabbos ruach, led by the Schnitzel Guys, which included singing and dancing. After the conclusion of pre-Shabbos ruach, the boys davened Minchah and Maariv, followed by a wonderful learning session that the kids had with their rebbeim.

The Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV) called last week for the termination of parole for Jonathan Pollard on humanitarian grounds, and his release from all associated restrictions. The CJV noted that Mrs. Esther Pollard is currently undergoing treatment for cancer at advanced stages, and release would enable Mr. Pollard to adequately care for his ailing wife.

(Courtesy of Shalom Task Force)

 The Shalom Task Force Confidential Hotline phone rang. Esther was calling from work. After a particularly terrible weekend she had finally found a safe place and time to call. They were the model family. They were recently honored by their shul, their children attend the local yeshiva and perform well at school, they have guests at their Shabbat and Yom Tov table and participate in community life.

The Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), representing over 1,000 traditional rabbis in matters of public policy, hailed the announcement of a new proposed rule from the US Department of Health and Human Services, ensuring the ability of faith-based foster care and adoption providers to continue to serve children in need of these services. The new rule does away with provisions added in the waning days of the previous administration, which forced organizations to violate their religious beliefs if they wished to continue providing foster care services. The CJV had previously pointed out that those provisions “not only violate religious freedom, but they also grievously harm children in need of loving homes.”

(Courtesy of NechamaComfort)

 Reva and Danny Judas were away from home when their newborn son died suddenly after living only 12 hours. No one knew what do. “I was in shock, devastated. My father is a rabbi, but this was never something that was covered in his training,” said Reva. “The rest of our family, friends, the community—no one had ever experienced this before. They didn’t know what to say or do.” Together, Reva and Danny navigated the difficult choices of choosing a name for the baby and arranging for burial. Then they returned home to grieve alone.