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For nearly three decades, there’s hardly an event in the Queens Jewish community where one wouldn’t see Rabbi Avrohom Hecht, the sociable activist, working the room among the elected officials, rabbis, and volunteers. Last Sunday, he took the stage in Rego Park to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of Project Lead, honoring local elected officials for providing funding that covers its food pantry, programs for youth, and senior events, in particular for Holocaust survivors. “We assist thousands of clients with human services, distribute over 200,000 pounds of food per year, visit dozens of homebound elderly, and a myriad of other services,” said Rabbi Hecht. “Youth activities, Holocaust survivor services, emigre empowerment, and community development.”

On Sunday evening, April 14, the community gathered for an informative lecture on Pesach preparations at the Lander College for Men. The lecture was hosted by Chazaq, the OU, and the Lander College for Men, and it was moderated by Rabbi Eli Eleff, OU Rabbinic Coordinator / Director of Kashrus Education.

On Monday, May 6, the Young Israel of Holliswood hosted a virtual Rosh Chodesh Iyar women’s shiur featuring Mrs. Chani Juravel, LCSW and popular lecturer. She spoke about S’firas HaOmer and the idea of counting seven weeks in a way that is complete. She shared that we need to ask ourselves as we count, did I make it a complete week? Did I really live every day in a unique way? We should try to experience deep appreciation for what we have. When we come up against difficulties, we should tell ourselves that today I’ve become that much more complete.

On Tuesday evening, April 16, Congregation Etz Chaim hosted a virtual lecture on repetitive stress injuries of the hand. Dr. Mel Breite, Founder and Director of the Navigating the Medical System Lecture Series greeted everyone. Next, Jee Yoan Chong, MS, OTR/L, CHT/CLT, shared a comprehensive overview of different types of stress injuries to the hand. The lecture, as always, contained informative and practical information. These lectures truly educate our community.

On Sunday night, May 5, the community participated in the annual Yom HaShoah commemoration with a virtual shiur in memory of Martin Dov Berger z”l, a Holocaust survivor and father of Ephraim Berger, the MC of the program.

What is the entire chag of Pesach really about? Why doesn’t the Haggadah deal with the halachos of chametz? On Tuesday evening, April 2, the community gathered to hear the annual Pesach shiur by Rabbi Herschel Welcher shlita, Rav of Congregation Ahavas Yisroel. The shiur was dedicated in memory of a beloved shul and community member, Mrs. Sherry Rada a”h, who was someone with so much yir’as Shamayim and who encouraged Rabbi Welcher to begin doing this pre-Pesach shiur. She was very meticulous in preparing for Pesach.