Community Corner

The Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV) last week called upon the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) to retract its statement issued April 16 entitled, “ISNA Condemns Israeli Violence Against Palestinian Worshipers.” CJV pointed to numerous factual errors in the statement, which, taken together, could easily be characterized as promoting a false narrative, encouraging anti-Semitism, and even fomenting violence.

May 1 marked a span of roughly 26 years since the alumni of Yeshiva Institute, now Yeshiva Primary, attended the well-known kiruv school that began the foundation of learning about Jewish religion and its practices for many New York City immigrants. The reunion, beautifully catered by New Life Catering, was held in the Tov Shul of Kew Gardens Hills and attended by many graduates from years 1995-1997.

Yeshiva University partnered with Cross River, a local financial institution, to host an innovative Hackathon that saw 35 computer science students get creative and think outside the box to help improve healthcare technology.

These days there seems to be an app for everything, so when Sholli Kestecher, travel enthusiast and entrepreneur, searched for a short-term booking platform customized for a Jewish kosher traveler, he was surprised to discover that no such thing existed. He decided to create Jstay, a global app modeled after the Airbnb concept, that offers options for lodging complete with all the amenities needed to enjoy a vacation within the confines of an Orthodox lifestyle.

As part of the year-long celebration of its 50th anniversary, Touro University is focusing on the future as well as the past. A special anniversary conference held at Touro’s Lander College for Men highlighted this viewpoint. Perspectives on Individual Autonomy and Community Responsibility explored the legal, ethical, and halachic issues related to the individual’s right to make decisions. The conference was chaired by Dr. Stanley Boylan, Touro Vice President of Undergraduate Education and Dean of Faculties. and Dr. John Loike, Professor of Biology and Interim Director of Bioethics at Touro’s New York Medical College.

Lag BaOmer, which is the 33^rd day of S’firas HaOmer, and the 18^th of Iyar, is a festive day celebrating two prominent, yet connected events: