Local

The already strong bonds between the Kew Gardens Hills Jewish community and Israel were strengthened on the evening of Sunday, September 19, at a special ceremony commemorating the lives of Sydell (Shaindy) and Israel (Zippy) Sipzner. The Sipzners, residents of Kew Gardens Hills for nearly 40 years and members of the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, passed away within months of each other in 2019. The evening took place in the United Hatzalah of Israel Center on Yermiyahu Street, Yerushalayim. It featured the dedication of a fully equipped ambucycle in the Sipzners’ names by their children Howie and Reize Sipzner, both of whom grew up in Queens and now divide their time between Israel, Florida, and Lido Beach.

The New York Serenaders graced the residents of the Margaret Tietz Nursing and Rehabilitation Center with a special presentation in the facility’s outdoor gardens. Founded by one of the residents’ sons, the performance took on added significance. The wonderful concert, including the popular hit “Baby Come Back to Me,” was enhanced by the beautiful colors and greenery of the courtyard.

The rain held up on the afternoon of Thursday, September 23, the first day of Chol HaMoed, for a Sukkos celebration hosted in the sukkah of Queens Borough President Donovan Richards outside of the Helen Marshall Cultural Center at Queens Borough Hall. Under the two previous Jewish Borough Presidents, no sukkah was ever erected on Borough Hall property.

The Coalition for Jewish Values, representing over 1,500 traditional, Orthodox rabbis in matters of public policy, castigated the ADL for once again avoiding a needed effort to address blatant anti-Semitism, and instead pursuing charges of “supremacy” for partisan purposes. ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt criticized the “Squad” in Congress for blocking funding for Israel’s defensive Iron Dome System as part of the budget reconciliation process, and celebrated passage of a standalone bill restoring that funding. But it was Fox News host Tucker Carlson whom Greenblatt insisted “must go.”

Joyous tunes filled the night at K’hal Adas Yereim of Kew Gardens (Rabbi Teitelbaum’s Shul) on Motza’ei Shabbos Chol HaMoed Sukkos, September 25, for a lively Simchas Beis HaSho’eivah. Presented by Divrei Chizuk and Pirchei of Kew Gardens and Richmond Hill, the event attracted talmidim of all ages who cheerfully participated in dancing, singing, and a heartwarming kumsitz. Attendees enjoyed ice cream delights and raffle prizes. A true simchas Yom Tov was felt by all who attended.

In anticipation of Rosh HaShanah, Emet Outreach’s new Couples Division recently hosted two inaugural workshops. The topic was “A New Year. A New You: Strengthening Your Relationship with Hashem, Your Spouse, and Yourself.” Rabbi Akiva Rutenberg, Co-Founder and Director, and Rabbi Nissim Musheyev, Community Development Director, were the keynote speakers. Held on consecutive evenings at the Young Israel of Jamaica Estates, couples had the option to attend on either date. The interactive workshops drew a combined crowd of 50 couples and set the stage for a new era of supporting couples and building Jewish families at Emet.