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The Queens Jewish Community Council’s legislative breakfast held this past Sunday morning at the Young Israel of Jamaica Estates was complete with rousing speeches in support of Israel and thunderous applause denouncing antisemitism. While the topics might seem cliché, each energetic oration reaffirmed the New York political scene’s allegiance to Israel as a strong, unwavering ally. It was the words of Michael Nussbaum, President of the QJCC, that set a tone for all to stand up for the values that matter most. “I have spent my life fighting for other people. Today, I am asking people to fight for the Jewish community; we must do it together.” In the last election cycle, Nussbaum launched the Committee for Sensible Government PAC, designed to oppose any candidate who gets the support of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).

A yellow glow cast across various New York State landmarks on the evening of January 27 in remembrance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, enacted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 2005 to commemorate the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945. The Assembly heard two hours of testimony related to the Holocaust on that day. This year, like last, the program was conducted virtually.

In the heart of the Kew Gardens Hills neighborhood, there is a development site that hosted a row of small businesses until a fire destroyed the entire block in 2016. Between the removal of debris and the first shovel in the ground, a painstaking effort to secure funding and approvals was underway.

This past Thursday evening, I paid respects to police officers (now detectives) Wilbert Mora and Jason Rivera of the 32^nd precinct, who reached their end of watch two weeks prior on January 21. The communal gathering held at the 112^th precinct in Forest Hills, under the helm of Commanding Officer Deputy Inspector Joseph E. Cappelmann, was well attended. “I came out to honor the life of the police officers who were killed in the line of duty,” said David Shakhmoroff, who attended on behalf of Chaverim of Queens. “I was unable to attend the funerals and felt joining this tribute is a small way to honor the passing of these heroes who lived their life to protect us.”

After a long and far-reaching search, Kehilas Torah Temima, which began nearly five years ago, has confirmed a new Rabbi to replace Rabbi Elan Segelman. Rabbi Segelman left the shul last August when he became the Rabbi of the Young Israel of Hancock Park in Los Angeles, California. Under Rabbi Segelman’s leadership, the shul grew from a few dozen dedicated members to well over 100 in its first year of operation, creating a strong k’hilah that welcomed members from across the community. We look forward to continuing that legacy for many years to come.

Misaskim volunteers never rest. From assisting bereaving families to addressing the concerns of almanos and yesomim, the volunteers are always ready. Due to demand, the Queens and Great Neck division recently expanded into a new division exclusively for the Far Rockaway and Long Island region, coordinated by renown mechanech Rabbi Moshe Hamel. This past Sunday evening, the two divisions met up at the Bostoner Bais Medrash of Lawrence on Doughty Boulevard for a face-to-face with Misaskim founder Reb Yanky Meyer to discuss new opportunities as the organization pushes forward to make a larger impact on those families suffering.