Message from R’ Schonfeld: R’ Yoel Schonfeld

Approximately 13 years ago, I wrote my first article for the Queens Jewish Link, and it was titled “Baby Fingers.” I return to the topic because the issue with baby fingers continues to bother me.

Operation Epic Fury, named by the United States, or Roaring Lion by Israel, is now in its third day. It started with a strike that eliminated terror chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei plus at least 40 of his commanders.

So, a meeting consisting of Mayor Mamdani and some chasidic leaders is to take place soon. Yes, this is the mayor who declined to criticize the concept of “Globalize the Intifada,” who took little action against protesters outside a Manhattan synagogue, who hosted at Gracie Mansion Mahmoud Khalil, the infamous anti-Israel and pro-Hamas agitator, who had nothing to say about a Quds rally this week in Manhattan in which they chanted, “Say it loud and say it clear: we support Hamas over here,” and the same thing was said of Hezbollah – both acknowledged terrorist organizations. Yes, this is the same mayor whose wife liked social media posts in which the October 7 atrocities were described.

Last week, the Supreme Courts in the United States and Israel made some bold decisions. In America, the United States Supreme Court denied President Trump the right to levy tariffs at will. Tariffs were the cornerstone of the President’s economic policy in dealing with world trade. It is quite incredible that a court could interfere with the freedom of a president to choose his own economic tools. But the president was forced to deal with the new reality.

In what can only be described as hilarious, there was an exchange a few nights ago between Democratic Senator Adam Schiff and comedian host Bill Maher.

In a scene reminiscent of BLM riots or of protests in Iran, the unthinkable happened. It seems two Israeli policewomen, who were coming to visit a colleague in Bnei Brak, were surrounded by over a thousand people on Chagai Street. They were chased, screamed at, and called Nazis. Attempts were made to physically assault them. Police had to rush in and extract them from the crowd. During the ensuing turmoil, rioters overturned a police car and set a police motorcycle ablaze. T’filin and a siddur that had been inside the motorcycle were left burned.