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In Parshas VaEira, Hashem commanded Moshe Rabbeinu to first warn Pharaoh about the impending plague. Moshe told Pharaoh that if he refused to free the Jews to serve Hashem, “so said Hashem, ‘In this you shall know that I am Hashem.’ Behold I am going to strike with the staff that is in my hand upon the water that is in the river, and it shall turn to blood.” After warning Pharaoh, Moshe is then commanded: “Tell Aharon, ‘Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt…’” Why does Hashem specify that Aharon be the one to initiate the plague? In addition, this pattern is repeated with the next two plagues – frogs and lice.

To mark the 178th yahrzeit of Rebbe Nosson z"l of Breslov, Reb Chaim Kramer ensured the continuing legacy and fire of Bresolv with words of inspiration this past Sunday evening, January 8, at Rabbi and Rebbetzin Yehuda Zakutinsky's Hasheyvanu of Kew Gardens Hills. The program began with a Chinese buffet and concluded with a leibidig kumzitz led by Reb Yosef Karduner, who entertained with authentic songs. The men and boys joined hand-in-hand and shoulder-to-shoulder, igniting the fire of Breslov ever so fierce. A group of women and girls also privately held hands in joyful spirits.

Outgoing President Mark (Moishe) Bane Hands Reins to Mitchel Aeder After Six Years Successfully Leading the Organization

This week, Mitchel Aeder began his term as the 18^th president of the Orthodox Union (OU), the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization. Aeder takes over from Mark (Moishe) Bane, who served as OU president for the past six years.

Building strong relationships and encouraging shalom bayit has always been a central mission at Emet. That is especially apparent by the growing number of participants in the Couples Division. For more than 18 years, Emet has been fortunate to participate in the weddings of hundreds of students. The Couples Division aims to meet the needs of a wide range of couples – from newly engaged, to recently married, to those who are raising families. Thanks to an important sponsorship by the Yakubov family, the division’s educational and social opportunities are expanding in 2023. “We are honored to announce that the Yakubov family has generously partnered with us to support key couples workshops and events this year,” said Shay Yonaiev, Couples Director. “Emet’s incredible couples have always been a source of pride and a priority for us because they represent our ultimate goal, which is building Jewish families. We would like to thank Alex and Anna Yakubov and their children Oren and Mira, Michael, and Yuri for sharing in our vision and enabling Emet to have a greater impact in the community.”

 There were tons of smiles this past Motza’ei Shabbos, January 7, for the Queens Jewish Center’s melaveh malkah that united the Forest Hills shul’s diverse membership. Men, women, and children of all ages converged on the expansive main ballroom of the elegant shul, situated on the corner of 108^th Street and 66^th Avenue. A delicious generous dairy buffet provided by Shlomo Zalman Schwartz of Naomi’s Kosher Pizza and Falafel on Main Street in Kew Gardens Hills kept attendees nourished throughout the evening.

The USPS Post Office of Kew Gardens Hills has released a troubling alert for area residents to cease the use of mailboxes throughout the community. Due to an unsettling rash of thefts from mailboxes, including the one directly outside the Main Street branch, an advisory is in effect for all mail to be deposited solely through the mail slot inside the branch lobby. Residents have become aware of stickiness on the doors and slots of local mailboxes. Many have reported fraudulent deposits of checks mailed through these mailboxes. The office of Congress Member Grace Meng is aware of the issue and is working with Postal Police to investigate.