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Back on December 2, CUNY Law Student Government Association (LSGA) passed a resolution that “proudly and unapologetically” endorsed the BDS movement against Israel and condemned pro-Israel student groups on campus. Subsequently, Chancellor Matos Rodríguez of the City University of New York (CUNY) rejected the declaration. “These organizations speak for themselves and the opinions or positions they express are entirely theirs and do not represent the views of CUNY or the majority of the 300,000 members of our community,” expressed Rodriguez. “I am focused on elevating dialogue and building bridges between people and groups of different backgrounds whose beliefs and divergent experiences and histories sometimes place them at odds. Now, more than ever, I believe it is incumbent on all of us, especially those of us in higher education, to promote tolerance and civic engagement, and to commit ourselves to coming together, hard as it may often seem, to forge mutual understanding as members of this widely diverse University community.”

On Sunday evening, December 12, Get Real with Coach Menachem featured Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier, Founder of The Shmuz. Rabbi Shafier conducted an interactive shiur on how to have a successful marriage. He shared information from his new sefer, The 10 Really Dumb Mistakes That Very Smart Couples Make: A Torah-Based Guide to a Successful Marriage.

A memorandum alleging that ultra-Orthodox yeshivahs do not provide substantially equivalent education as public schools was sent to the desk of Mayor-elect Eric Adams on December 20 by Naftuli Moster, Executive Director of Yaffed, an advocacy group hellbent on destroying the yeshivah system.

On Wednesday evening, December 16, Chazaq, Breslov.org, and the Breslov Research Institute hosted an inspiring event sponsored by Sorelle Idels and Shimmy Idels l’ilui nishmas their beloved first cousin, Mordechai Tzvi ben Elimelech (Moti Kest), who was recently niftar at the age of 42. He was a very special person who volunteered for Hatzalah, and he was a pillar in his community.

Since Kathleen Courtney Hochul began her stint as governor of New York on August 24, 2021, she has worked tirelessly to gain the support of her constituents. To rebuild New York State post-pandemic, Hochul celebrated a key milestone this past week, announcing the Port Authority’s transformation of John F. Kennedy International Airport with the groundbreaking of a $1.5 billion privately financed expansion and modernization of Terminal 4, to be completed within two short years. “Today’s groundbreaking is a huge part in the story of New York’s comeback from the hardship we underwent during the pandemic,” Hochul said. “The economic impact of this transformation will be felt for decades, while solidifying our state’s global leading role in welcoming visitors from abroad and those returning home. I look forward to all this partnership with the Port Authority and Delta will bring to New York.” Plans are set to include a major concourse expansion to add ten new gates, the renovation of existing concourses, and roadway upgrades to improve access for vehicles.

On Sunday evening, December 19, Ethan Felder, a Forest Hills District Leader, held a holiday gathering in support of his candidacy for the New York State Assembly 28th District. Assembled at a Forest Hills business on Ascan Avenue, the event attracted over 50 enthusiasts for Felder.