Community Corner

New York Governor Kathy Hochul acknowledged the Sukkos celebrations with a statement to the Jewish community where she noted that it is “a time to joyously celebrate the bounties we have received and can share with others.” At a simchas beis hashoeva in Crown Heights at the home of Rabbi and Mrs. Chanina Sperlin, the governor made it a point to highlight her indebtedness of the values and traditions held dear to the New York Jewish community. Hochul went on to pledge her commitment and support to both the Jewish community and its cherished institutions. She was joined by elected officials included, Mayor Eric Adams, Attorney General Letitia James, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, and various local legislators, including the Honorable Daniel Rosenthal representing the New York State Assembly. 

 By QJL Staff

Alexander Rapaport and Chef Ruben Diaz at the Masbia Food Reserve Depot, sending out thousands of food packages for families in need for Yom Tov, delivered by a generous donation by DoorDash

Last week, US Reps. Grace Meng (D-NY), Brain Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Kathy Manning (D-NC), Randy Weber (R-TX), Marc Veasey (D-TX), Kay Granger (R-TX), Ted Lieu (D-CA), and Chris Smith (R-NJ), all Co-Chairs of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combatting Anti-Semitism, led a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, requesting an update on the investigation into instances of anti-Semitism at the State Department.

UJA-Federation of New York will allocate a further $3.925 million in assistance for Ukraine. The new allocation brings UJA’s total emergency funding since the war started to over $20 million, which includes assistance for more than 720,000 refugees and evacuation for more than 90,000.

Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), representing over 2,000 traditional, Orthodox rabbis in American public policy, Monday sent a letter to Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University (YU), commending him and his Administration for their “principled stance upholding the honor and the ideals of the Torah.” Yeshiva University has vigorously opposed a legal effort to force it to grant official recognition to a student organization promoting activities and relationships clearly contrary to Torah and Jewish Law.

Hundreds of Thousands of Children Around the World Daven for Klal Yisrael and Internalize the Chofetz Chaim’s Message

Rav Nissan Kaplan’s voice echoed in the forest around the 7^th Fort in Kovno, where Rav Elchonon Wasserman had been murdered al kiddush Hashem. Whoever was present and whoever saw or heard the Dirshu Videocast this year on the first night of selichos shuddered. A shudder of inspiration was felt as Rav Kaplan, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Daas Aharon, exclaimed, “We are a people who, on the one hand, are ready to die al kiddush Hashem should we be forced, and that is wonderful. On the other hand, that same person who is ready to die al kiddush Hashem may not be ready to wake up on time for zeman kriyas Shema!