Local

On Tuesday afternoon, December 14, the Lev Aharon Community Food Pantry, under the auspices of the Met Council on Jewish Poverty and the Chazaq Organization, welcomed Assembly Member Andrew Hevesi of District 28. The Assemblymember was joined by pantry manager Aviv Simantov and his mother, a dedicated volunteer. Additionally, community advisor Alan Sherman, chairperson of the Queens Jewish Alliance Sorolle Idels, and director of government affairs for Chazaq Izzy Peskowitz were present, along with with Chazaq CEO Rabbi Yaniv Meirov. “It was our honor to show Assembly Member Hevesi the workings of the Lev Aharon Community Food Pantry,” said Rabbi Meirov. “We conversed about the current food insecurity issues that our communities are grappling with and how the pantry continues to be a source of refuge and nourishment for many needy families.”

On Tuesday night, November 30, the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills held a Siyum HaMishnah in commemoration of the first yahrzeit of Rabbi Fabian Schonfeld, HaRav Mordechai Shraga Feivel ben Shmuel Shabsai HaLevi. Eighty-five people, including several of Rabbi Schonfeld’s children, grandchildren, and other relatives attended in person. More than 60 participated by Zoom. The event was chaired by Dr. David Levenson, who also coordinated the learning of Mishnah of Seder Moed Maseches Chagigah by 58 men, some of whom told him, “Even though I don’t usually learn on a regular basis, I want to do this to show hakaras ha’tov to Rabbi Fabian Schonfeld.”

Amudim was founded on the simple yet vital belief:

No individual should have to face a crisis without a rock of support.

The National Council of Young Israel issued the following statement congratulating Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt, who was selected by the White House to light the Chanukah menorah last Wednesday evening alongside President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff. Rabbi Dr. Glatt is Associate Rabbi at the Young Israel of Woodmere, and he is an expert in infectious diseases. He serves as a professor and Chair of the Department of Medicine at Mount Sinai South Nassau (New York).

***

“It is wonderful to see a renowned Jewish community leader and accomplished medical professional who is also a distinguished rabbi at one of our branch synagogues being honored to light the Chanukah menorah at the White House. Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt has been a valuable medical advisor to the greater Jewish community throughout this pandemic and was at the forefront of our community’s COVID vaccination efforts. His wisdom and insight helped guide the Jewish community through an extremely turbulent time and helped us skillfully navigate complex issues pertaining to the virus and its proliferation.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt for all that he has done and for all that he will undoubtedly continue doing for the health and welfare of the greater community, and we wish him Mazal Tov on the tremendous honor that has been bestowed upon him by the White House. We also offer our thanks to the President and First Lady and the Vice President and Second Gentleman for recognizing the critical role that Rabbi Dr. Glatt plays in the American Jewish community by inviting him to kindle the White House menorah.”

This week, we unfortunately experienced a tremendous loss. Liel Dina Namdar a”h, a 15-year-old pure and innocent girl, was murdered by a drunk driver. She had been on her way back from a camp reunion at the time of the accident. Liel was a sophomore at the Torah Academy for Girls in Far Rockaway. The community is still reeling from this shock and tragic loss.

On Sunday, November 21, The Rabbinical Seminary of America-Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim held its 88^th Annual Dinner and Chag Hasemicha. The Dinner took place at Terrace on the Park in Queens and was attended by close to 800 people. The evening was a tremendous kidush Hashem. The event was charged with feelings of pride in the Yeshiva’s past accomplishments, and inspiration and chizuk to continue the holy mission of the Yeshiva.