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The Midrash Tanchuma explains that the reason for B’nei Yisrael’s survival through all their numerous troubles and exile is because, unlike the non-Jewish world, B’nei Yisrael recognizes Hashem during good and bad times. David HaMelech understood this when he said, “Sh’foch chamascha el ha’goyim asher lo y’da’ucha – Pour out Your wrath upon the nations that do not recognize You” (T’hilim 79:6). Klal Yisrael, on the other hand, has a completely different reaction. When we are faced with sorrows, we call out and turn to Hashem and His Torah, as David Hamelech stated: “Tzarah v’yagon emtza u’v’sheim Hashem ekra – I will find troubles and sorrows, and I will call out in Hashem’s name” (T’hilim 117:13).

On Sunday, March 19, Council Member Linda Lee hosted a forum in Little Neck, in partnership with Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Assembly Member Ed Braunstein, and the Simon Wiesenthal Center, to discuss the effects of hate, extremism, and anti-Semitism on young people and the community. This event was made possible through collaboration and funding from the Office of New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams.

A PUAH Story of Miracle Births

Year after painful year, Sarah hoped, prayed and desperately waited for a child of her own. She was willing to do anything it took; yet, despite all of her and her husband’s efforts, nothing seemed to work.  The years passed, month after month of ‘no, not this time’.  But still, she kept hoping.  Kept trying.  Kept praying.

Masbia Kosher Soup Kitchen of Queens held a “Human Rights Seder and Feeding the Needy” event ahead of Passover. Masbia’s Alexander Rapaport conducted the Seder together with New York City Human Rights Deputy Commissioner Kajori Chaudhuri, and Executive Director Hassan Naveed of the Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes. Staff of both offices, together with Masbia staff, joined the Seder, which was followed by volunteer work at the kosher soup kitchen and food pantry. The lead-up of Passover is the busiest time of the year for Kosher Emergency Food providers, due to the increase in demand. The Masbia Soup Kitchen Network is holding a Charoses Drive to raise the necessary funds to buy the Kosher for Passover food to feed the needy (masbia.org/passover2023).

Music, singing, and dancing along 99^th Street welcomed a new Torah at the Chabad of Rego Park on Sunday. “Chaya’s Torah” is named after Rabbi and Rebbetzin Blokh’s 18-year-old daughter who passed away in 2020.

Pesach preparations were underway at Emet with the debut of the first in a series of three workshops. A rapt audience of 25 women listened intently as Rabbi Binyamin Yuhanan explained how to clean and kasher for Pesach in a peaceful way.