Local

On Sunday, September 18, the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills held an incredible event, Family Fun Day, to kickstart the schoolyear. The community-wide event was open to families of all ages, free of charge, and offered bounce houses, balloon twisting, face-painting, popcorn, and cotton candy.  Pizza, snacks, and drinks were made available as well.  The first hour-and-a-half allowed participants to partake in these activities, while the event culminated in an engaging magic show for the children. Many participants had the opportunity to meet Rabbi Daniel Rosenfelt, the new rabbi of the shul, and his wife Rebbetzin Amanda Rosenfelt, along with their beautiful family. The highly successful event filled the large simcha hall with families from throughout the community, and the shul was bursting with smiles across the board.

As the High Holidays approach, Masbia Soup Kitchen Network is bracing for an increase in demand. The general clientele for emergency food is the old, frail, sick, mentally ill, poor, and homeless. But, you also have the working poor - those who are in and out of need. Typically, people who are in the gig economy are more prone to finding themselves in need of emergency food than people with salary-based jobs. For example, when one is ill and unable to work, or one has a gap in demand for their work. Due to the holiday observance, this season has the potential to push many of them into such a situation, causing a huge strain on their income.

Healthy shame and destructive shame were discussed at the Queens Jewish Center before S’lichos on Motza’ei Shabbos, September 17.

Rabbi Hayim Schwartz, Executive Director of the Rabbinical Seminary of America, understands the necessity for a community to have a political voice. Year after year, he works diligently to ensure that new members of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim of Queens and their wives register as voters to ensure that Kew Gardens Hills’ communal voice is heard.

STF has been serving victims of domestic violence in the Jewish community for almost thirty years. STF is excited and proud to expand its work and partner with the Queens Family Justice Center (QFJC)! At the QFJC, survivors of domestic and gender-based violence and their children can connect to organizations that provide case management, housing and benefits assistance, economic empowerment, counseling, civil, and criminal legal assistance. Bringing together professionals from all areas creates a collaborative approach making it easier for survivors to get help from wherever they need it and provide ‘one-stop’ services and support to survivors. All are welcome regardless of language, income, gender identity, or immigration status.

Inflation is taking a bite out of buying groceries. That’s why Met Council orchestrated the largest free kosher food distribution in America over the course of just one month in partnership with UJA-Federation of New York. Met Council was able to provide fresh food packages to over 117,000 New Yorkers in need at 126 locations across New York City.