Community Corner

Over 750 parents, alumni, and friends of the Yeshiva of Central Queens (YCQ) joined together to celebrate 81 years of harbatzas haTorah to the Queens Jewish community with a festive Motza’ei Shabbos Dinner to support the Yeshiva’s scholarship fund. The Dinner coincided with the parshah of VaYakhel and Parshas Sh’kalim, which refers to the fundraising for and the construction of the Mishkan.

Senior Gedolei Yisrael Representing all Shevatim of Klal Yisrael Address the Multitudes

By Chaim Gold

It was a surprise that sent the many thousands in the Cure Insurance Arena into a frenzy of cherdas kodesh and simcha. In the middle of the siyum, Rabbi Leibish Lish, the chairman of the evening, in a voice trembling with emotion, announced that the venerated Rachmastrivka Rebbe of Boro Park was about to enter the arena. To say that the stadium erupted would be an understatement. All craned their necks to catch a glimpse of the holy countenance, the wisdom and temimus of the Rebbe as he slowly entered the stadium and was brought to the middle of the table of Gedolei Yisrael.

The excitement was palpable at Teaneck’s Marriott Glenpointe Hotel on Sunday, February 27, when SINAI Schools hosted its annual campaign and benefit dinner, its first in-person major event since the opening of SINAI at Yeshiva of Central Queens in September 2020.

Hidden Sparks, a nonprofit focused on providing teachers and parents with the tools to support struggling students in mainstream Jewish day schools, is expanding the service area for its Parent Education Center (PEC) to include all five New York City boroughs. This growth in services, which were previously focused on Queens, is in response to the rising out-of-borough requests since the PEC’s opening at the beginning of the current school year.

It takes will power to wake up unbearably early on a Sunday morning, pack up your gear, and head up to the Mountains. But the families at the Young Israel of Jamaica Estates who summoned the energy were treated to a bright sunny day on the slopes. Catamount greeted the YIJE skiers of all ages with some fresh snow and friendly faces, all looking to take advantage of that last bit of wintry fun. This adventure was organized by hard-working YIJE youth director Jacob Herskowitz, who worked to make the day hassle free and affordable for all.

As the New York State Legislature continues to make its way through the budget process, Agudath Israel’s New York office convened the second installment of this year’s Albany Day series, focusing on the Queens and Long Island areas. Agudah staff and leadership, joined by leading community advocates and school officials, spoke to an array of legislators, advocating on behalf of New York’s Orthodox Jewish community.