Community Corner

The Kew Gardens Hills kehillah is reeling from the petirah of Mrs. Malkie Itzkowitz, a”h—a woman of rare tznius, unwavering bitachon, and legendary mesirus nefesh. Mrs. Itzkowitz returned her neshamah to her Creator on April 30 at the age of 74, leaving behind a family and community forever shaped by her warmth, generosity, and fierce devotion to those she loved.

Yachad’s annual New York Gala at The Sands in Atlantic Beach brought together hundreds of community members for an evening of connection, inspiration, and shared purpose. The room buzzed with excitement as guests gathered, united by Yachad’s mission and their shared commitment to advancing inclusion and belonging for individuals with disabilities through Yachad’s three pillars: education, employment, and relationships. Throughout the night, the enthusiasm was palpable, fueled by powerful stories of impact and a proud, dedicated community.

Mission-aligned high schools invited to apply for a national initiative providing scholarship funding for incoming high school students, along with leadership development and a cohort-based experience.

The Jewish War Veterans from Post 652 in Merrick and from Post 717 in Oceanside attended and participated in the Holocaust Memorial Ceremony at the Holocaust Museum and Tolerance Center in Glen Cove. We heard from Holocaust survivor Bertha Strauss, who spoke about how her mother was taken by the Nazis. Her mother was able to send some letters describing conditions in the camps she was in. Ms. Strauss showed letters from her mother and pictures of her family. Ultimately, Ms. Strauss’ mother was brought to Auschwitz, where she was never heard from again. The Jewish War Veterans were asked to light a candle on behalf of the liberators of the concentration camps. In addition, Jennifer DeSena, Supervisor of the Town of North Hempstead, was asked to speak at the Memorial.

At the opening of Sefer BaMidbar, Hashem commands Moshe Rabbeinu to count B’nei Yisrael. Each sheivet, each family, and each individual was counted carefully and deliberately. The Torah teaches that every Jew matters and that every person has a unique place within klal Yisrael.

Participants from across diverse hashkafic backgrounds came together for chizuk, networking, and practical guidance rooted in a shared mission of chesed shel emes.