Local

The sun shined bright upon Kew Gardens Hills on the morning of the second day of Shavuos, Monday, June 6, the perfect setting for a one-of-a-kind hachnasas sefer Torah dedication. As I opened my house door shortly after 8 a.m., I was greeted by friends and family of Chaim Shimon (Michael) and Tziporah Rachel (Shari) Vatch, joining in a festive Torah procession to Khal Degel Israel. A typical Torah procession often includes a lavish music truck and torches held by children. But the scene on my block was pure hartzig singing, apropos for a Yom Tov that embraces the essence of accepting Torah as our own.

National Police Week occurs every May, and is observed at the National Law Enforcement Police Memorial, located at Judiciary Square, Washington, D.C. This year, National Police Week was observed from May 11–17. The National Law Enforcement Museum and associated organizations held ceremonies, including the 34^th Annual Candlelight Vigil, to honor the fallen officers whose names have recently been added to the memorial.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has long had a warm relationship with the Jewish community. The mayor marched in the Celebrate Israel Parade earlier this month and celebrated the end of Jewish Heritage Month with a community reception at Gracie Mansion attracting over 700 guests on May 24.

Residents of Kew Gardens Hills can breathe a sigh of relief following an ordeal that has left the community in high tension since late-February/early-March of this year.

Spirituality, warmth, Torah, t’filah, and family filled the atmosphere of Hashevaynu in Kew Gardens Hills, this past Wednesday evening, for a special Lag BaOmer farbrengen. The event featured the heartfelt music of Zalman Pollack, with music lighting, and the included photos supplied by Michel Krohn. The energy was electric as the beautiful sounds of music reverberated throughout the neighborhood. Amongst the crowd were the mara d’asra Rabbi Yehuda Zakutinsky and his son Rabbi Avi Zakutinsky, a maggid shiur at the shul.

It is not every day that a tzadik leaves his quarters to venture into other cities. On Sunday evening, May 15, the Mosholu Rebbe of Boro Park joined the Five Towns and Far Rockaway community for a Pesach Sheini tish that emphasized achdus and reconnection, and exuded k’dushah.