Colors: Blue Color

Warm food, tasty cocktails, smiles, and hearty laughs set the mood this past Thursday evening, March 10, at the ballroom of Beit Eliyahu in Fresh Meadows for the 14th annual Chaverim of Queens Appreciation Dinner, paying tribute to its dedicated responders.

When we work to refine ourselves and our connection to Hashem, we can arouse the Divine Assistance we need to not only succeed in our endeavors but to also change our very mazal. Through t’filah, t’shuvah, and tz’dakah, we can merit brachos and y’shuos that were previously not suitable for us. A negative Heavenly decree can be rescinded; and a y’shuah can come even “when a sword is resting on your neck.”

The boys of Chai Lifeline were presented with a memorable m’laveh malkah last Motza’ei Shabbos at the home of Yitzchok and Bruchie Statfeld in Brooklyn. Magician Yoel Spielman wowed the kids and their mentors with a spellbinding show. The event included Purim-themed crafts, delicious pizza, and ice cream, too! “It was an honor to dedicate my time to such a prestigious organization that selflessly restores the light of childhood to youth suffering from cancer and other life-threatening and prolonged illnesses,” said Spielman. “I am humbled by all who thanked me for the performance, but the real amazing and impressive people are the dedicated volunteers to whom I have much respect.”

The theme of the evening was Mesorah, as 350 people gathered to celebrate with the honorees and applaud the achievements of 26 young men who received rabbinic ordination at Touro’s Lander College for Men Beis Medrash L’Talmud Chag HaSemichah. Family members, alumni, rebbeim, supporters, and honorees came together to recognize, reflect, and rejoice at the Gala Dinner, which was held at Terrace on the Park this past Sunday.

Over 750 parents, alumni, and friends of the Yeshiva of Central Queens (YCQ) joined together to celebrate 81 years of harbatzas haTorah to the Queens Jewish community with a festive Motza’ei Shabbos Dinner to support the Yeshiva’s scholarship fund. The Dinner coincided with the parshah of VaYakhel and Parshas Sh’kalim, which refers to the fundraising for and the construction of the Mishkan.