Local

Over 300 community members came out in support of Shalom Task Force (STF) at its annual brunch on December 11 at the Sephardic Temple. This year, STF honored Jenny Gerber as the Guest of Honor for her incredible dedication as an educational volunteer, advocate and board member of the organization. STF recognized 18Forty and Rabbi Dr. Dovid Bashevkin as Community Changemaker, and their work to surface important conversations in the Jewish community. Senator Toby Ann Stavisky and Assemblywoman Stacy Pheffer Amato were recognized for their Public Service and lauded for their exceptional commitment to STF and survivors of domestic violence throughout New York State.

BIRTHS

Dovid and Tzippy Berglas, and Binyomin and Chanie Perlstein on the birth of a grandson, born to Moishy and Hindy Perlstein of Lakewood

Doni and Rochel Leah Blumenthal on the birth of a daughter. Mazal tov to the grandparents, Dean and Gale Blumenthal.

It is truly amazing! Year after year, Yeshiva Madreigas HaAdam celebrates its annual dinner in a fashion that is simply extraordinary. The excitement and joy that permeates these gatherings imparts the attendees with a surge of energy that provides them with a long-lasting wellspring of ruchniyus.

Large amounts of emergency food, including ingredients to make Chanukah latkes, for 5,000 families to be distributed by Masbia Soup Kitchen Network. While high-end food costs are starting to come down, poor people’s food - or basic household ingredients - is still going up. The cost of ingredients to make latkes, such as potatoes, eggs, and oil, are up more than 300% from last year.

On Sunday, December 18, the Young Israel of Hillcrest opened its doors to the Queens Jewish community with a phenomenal addition to its youth programming: a Pre-Chanukah Extravaganza. Renowned entertainer Jester Jim performed for a standing-room-only crowd in the YIH social hall. Children of all ages, together with their parents and grandparents, filled the shul with a spirit of excitement and laughter, as they were amazed by Jester Jim’s juggling tricks and non-stop humor.

“I have strayed like a lost sheep; seek out Your servant” (Psalms 119:176).

Hashem’s way is to call a person the moment He sees him straying from the path of good sense, asking him to turn back. He calls each person in the way most suited to him. To some, He beckons with a hint. To others, the summons is literally a cry. Some people kick, and He must strike them in order to call them. The Torah is Hashem’s voice calling and begging those who sin to return to Him.