As another academic year comes to a close, we are incredibly proud of our entire team and thankful to all of our partner schools for completing our 6th academic year of prevention programming. Since the inception of our programming in 2019, we have educated over 31,000 students and partnered with more than 95 schools! Each year has brought new opportunities to strengthen our impact, and this one was no exception.

New York News

 The NYPD identified 21-year-old Jakhi Lodgson-McCray, a New Jersey resident, as the suspect in the June 12 arson that destroyed 11 police vehicles in a parking lot near the 83rd Precinct in Bushwick, Brooklyn, causing $800,000 in damage.

We pass our community shuls all the time. But how much do we know about what or who is inside them?

7100 Yellowstone Blvd., Forest Hills, NY 11375

Rabbi Elisha Friedman has been the Rabbi at the Young Israel of Forest Hills for the past three years. He grew up in a variety of places, including Israel, New Jersey, and North Carolina. Rabbi Friedman received s’michah from Yeshiva University, where he currently teaches Jewish philosophy, and is completing his PhD in Modern Jewish Philosophy. Rabbi Friedman also has a podcast, “It’s Genius,” where he focuses on making complex Gemara analysis understandable and accessible, and a podcast on Rav Chaim Soloveitchik’s Chidushei HaRambam. Prior to coming to Forest Hills, he was the Rabbi at a shul in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for six years.

Recap: Saman and Jenna come to visit and reveal they have converted to Judaism, just like Aunt Annabelle. Ava goes to the pageant with Jasmin. At the pageant, Galla’s father announces how the Jews “are different from us and that we don’t want them here.” Ava flees from the pageant and heads back home.

Recap: Ada decides not to tell Aunt Annabelle about her worry that Galla overheard Mirhan say he was going to have a bris milah.

 The next morning, Erev Shabbos, I heard the jangle of horses. Saman and Jenna’s carriage pulled up to the palace. The marble floor sparkled. Aunt Annabelle’s silver candlesticks gleamed. The table was set with a white linen cloth and our best ceramic dishes. The scent of freshly baked challah wafted through the air.