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On Tuesday evening, November 9, Dr. Mel Breite, Director and Founder of the Navigating the Medical System Lecture Series, shared his annual review in a lecture over Zoom. Dr. Breite thanked Councilman Jim Gennaro’s support for helping to start this series, and the support or Rabbi Moshe Rosenberg, rav of Congregation Etz Chaim. The lecture was dedicated in memory of Gladys Benbasset, Dr. Marshall Joffe, and Rabbi David Keehn.

On Tuesday, October 26, Rebbetzin Lisa Septimus, of the Young Israel of North Woodmere, spoke on a Zoom event, titled “Prisms of Positivity,” and hosted by UJA Federation New York And JWLC (Jewish Women’s Leadership Council of the Five Towns). This was part of a six-week virtual program featuring various Five Towns speakers. Each program consists of 15 minutes of inspiration followed by a 15-minute group discussion. Women can register at www.guraljcc.org/prisms-of-positivity/.

We all remember Hurricane Ida: torrential rain, gusting winds, water levels rising everywhere - in basements, garages and businesses - cars floating on the expressway as if they were rafts, and people stranded all over the city. This is not to mention the medical emergencies due to the flooding and electrical outages. While many of us made sure to remain in the safety and comfort of our homes, the dedicated members of Hatzolah of Queens & Great Neck were responding to those in need. Whether it was an elderly person in need of oxygen, a mother and child freezing in their car that shut down, or a woman in active labor, just to mention a few calls that night.

Chacham Rav Ovadia Yosef zt”l was the former Sefardi Chief Rabbi of Israel and one of the foremost Talmudic authorities of his generation. On Motza’ei Shabbos, October 9, Chazaq, Stories to Inspire, and the Queens Jewish Link hosted a beautiful virtual commemoration on the occasion of the Rav’s eighth yahrzeit, which was 3 Cheshvan.

This past month, Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier, Founder of The Shmuz, taught two engaging shiurim on the topic of emunah tools.

The Young Israel of Forest Hills filled to capacity as community members gathered to hear words of wisdom from Rabbi Shalom Arush on Wednesday evening, October 20. Soulful Jewish music played on guitar, and drums created a joyful spiritual mood. The event was hosted by Chazaq. Rabbi Arush spoke in Hebrew with a translator present.