Local

The Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), representing 2,000 traditional, Orthodox rabbis in American public policy, on Monday called upon former President Donald Trump to repudiate the anti-Semitic rhetoric of two leading purveyors of anti-Semitism, Kanye West and Nick Fuentes, after Trump met with them at his Mar-a-Lago resort. Endorsing comments made by the Hon. David Friedman, former United States ambassador to Israel, CJV urged Mr. Trump to recognize that “You are better than this.”

CQJCC, Central Queens Jewish Community Circle, started by Rebbetzin Mushky Mendelson, is distributing 100 Thanksgiving-themed Shabbos gift packages to local community members residing in Forest Hills and Rego Park. This effort goes hand-in-hand with the organization’s mission of reaching out to vulnerable or lonely neighbors with love. To get involved, visit www.cqjcc.org.

The Young Israel of Jamaica Estates continued its tradition of making Thanksgiving special for those less fortunate. This past Sunday’s Family Mitzvah Morning, 60 Thanksgiving centerpiece packages were made for the Queens Commonpoint Thanksgiving deliveries. Special thanks to Ruthie and Charles Merrill for sponsoring to show gratitude to the YIJE community.

On November 11 and 12, Shabbat Parshat Vayera, the HANC High School freshmen and sophomore girls had the opportunity to spend Shabbat together in West Hempstead. The Shabbat was filled with Torah learning, ruach, bonding, good food, laughter, and much more!

When describing the miracle of Chanukah, the Talmud in Maseches Shabbos, speaks primarily of the miraculous oil that burned for eight days. The Talmud does not make mention of what most would consider a more significant miracle, the military and spiritual victory of the Chashmona’im. They not only defeated the mighty Syrian-Greek Empire, but they restored a Torah way of life for thousands of Jews who had assimilated into Greek culture and society. The obvious question to be asked is: Why are our Sages choosing to highlight the miracle of the oil over the miraculous military victory? Why all the emphasis on the oil miracle?

We are all looking forward with great anticipation to the annual Erna Lindenfeld Hachnasas Kallah Tea to be held on Monday evening, December 5, at 7:30 p.m. The Tea has been a Queens hallmark event for decades, providing our community with the opportunity to give tz’dakah to a most worthy local cause, while enjoying incredible entertainment and amazing raffle prizes.