Community Corner

This past Wednesday evening, December 8, the cold air of winter did not hold back Chaverim of Queens from holding a special appreciation event for the generous equipment allocation provided by Council Member James F. Gennaro. The program, held just before dusk in the parking lot of the Yeshiva of Central Queens in Kew Gardens Hills, welcomed all facets of the Jewish community from its leaders to rabbanim and the offices of elected officials. Public recognition was given to Gennaro by all in attendance, acknowledging how an allotment of funding is successfully distributed.

Amudim was founded on the simple yet vital belief:

No individual should have to face a crisis without a rock of support.

Queens Borough Safety Patrol-Shmira has been hard at work patrolling the streets of Queens. In an effort to keep its members prepared and informed, Shimra hosted David Kushner, the Director Of Government Relations and Special Projects for Amudim Community Resources, to give a detailed training on when and how to administer Narcan to a person suffering an opioid overdose. At their monthly meeting, members were given the opportunity to ask questions to better understand the medication’s usages and best practices. All members received two doses to keep nearby, and the organization’s patrol cars were as well fitted with Narcan devices. The course and distribution were held as the Jewish community has seen a surprising uptick of opioid mismanagement. Those needing the services of Shmira can call their hotline at 718-329-4444.

This week, we unfortunately experienced a tremendous loss. Liel Dina Namdar a”h, a 15-year-old pure and innocent girl, was murdered by a drunk driver. She had been on her way back from a camp reunion at the time of the accident. Liel was a sophomore at the Torah Academy for Girls in Far Rockaway. The community is still reeling from this shock and tragic loss.

On Tuesday afternoon, December 14, the Lev Aharon Community Food Pantry, under the auspices of the Met Council on Jewish Poverty and the Chazaq Organization, welcomed Assembly Member Andrew Hevesi of District 28. The Assemblymember was joined by pantry manager Aviv Simantov and his mother, a dedicated volunteer. Additionally, community advisor Alan Sherman, chairperson of the Queens Jewish Alliance Sorolle Idels, and director of government affairs for Chazaq Izzy Peskowitz were present, along with with Chazaq CEO Rabbi Yaniv Meirov. “It was our honor to show Assembly Member Hevesi the workings of the Lev Aharon Community Food Pantry,” said Rabbi Meirov. “We conversed about the current food insecurity issues that our communities are grappling with and how the pantry continues to be a source of refuge and nourishment for many needy families.”

On Tuesday night, November 30, the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills held a Siyum HaMishnah in commemoration of the first yahrzeit of Rabbi Fabian Schonfeld, HaRav Mordechai Shraga Feivel ben Shmuel Shabsai HaLevi. Eighty-five people, including several of Rabbi Schonfeld’s children, grandchildren, and other relatives attended in person. More than 60 participated by Zoom. The event was chaired by Dr. David Levenson, who also coordinated the learning of Mishnah of Seder Moed Maseches Chagigah by 58 men, some of whom told him, “Even though I don’t usually learn on a regular basis, I want to do this to show hakaras ha’tov to Rabbi Fabian Schonfeld.”