Community Corner

The walls of the Emet Center have expanded from Queens to the Land of Israel. That’s what it felt like for students in the Women’s Division who are spending the summer studying at Neve Yerushalayim. In order to ease their transition to seminary, Ms. Adina Fendel, Emet Women’s Director, and Ms. Sara Blatt, Emet Mekareves, traveled to Israel to help guide and unite them. “Our idea was to not only bring an Emet feel, but also to create memorable programming to make their experience in Israel as impactful as possible,” said Ms. Fendel. The result was an amazing week of learning, laughter, and enjoying the land.

As the fourth week of the Ezra Summer Series comes to its close, the program is more popular than ever. The recent speakers have covered a vast range of topics meant to help strengthen the Ezra Academy students in their understanding and observance of mitzvos. Additionally, the speakers and visiting faculty bring support for so many who are working to strengthen their relationships with HaKadosh Baruch Hu. After speaking with “the regulars” (those who attend weekly and have been doing so for the last three years), it is clear how much the program means to them. It is an opportunity to see friends, see teachers and rebbeim, stay connected, daven with a minyan, and maintain all the gains from the school year.

Over 200 food packages were given out on Tuesday, July 26. The food truck enables Met Council to provide pantry services anywhere in the city, reaching those who are food-insecure, wherever they might be.

The Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills proudly presents, in conjunction with the Queens Jewish Community Council, a community anti-crime program, featuring a presentation by Officer Hoffmann, Crime Prevention Officer of the 107^th Police Precinct, on “ways to protect yourself and others from crimes against people and property.”

The NSHA Middle School Megillah Readers Program, initiated two decades ago by Dr. Paul Brody, was named in his honor as was a recently purchased beautiful megillah, to be used by each student reader on Purim Day. The announcement was delivered by Rabbi Dr. Jeffrey Kobrin, Rosh HaYeshivah and Head of School, at the Middle School graduation exercises, held in the main sanctuary of the Great Neck Synagogue this past June.

The Mishnah (Taanis 26) teaches us: “Mi’she’nichnas Av m’maatim b’simchah,” at the beginning of Av we should moderate our joy. Numerous disasters affected the Jewish people on Tish’ah B’Av, such as the destruction of the First and Second Temple in Jerusalem. Our practices of mourning are increased as we enter the month of Av and become even more intensified in the week of Tish’ah B’Av.