Queens Jewish Link
Connecting the Queens Jewish Community When Mrs. Porter heard a knock at the door of her Baltimore home one evening at suppertime, she...
In last week’s parshah, B’Shalach, the Jewish people were trapped between the sea on one side and the advancing Egyptians on the other. Moshe turned to Hashem in prayer, and Hashem instructed him to raise his staff and stretch his hand over the waters to part the sea. The Jewish people then entered the sea.
With many in the Jewish community still reeling from the aftermath of the tragic accident that took the life of Liel Namdar a”h, Chazaq organized two special events l’ilui nishmas Liel Dinah bas Efrayim.
A few weeks ago, the Queens Jewish Link featured Rabbi Yossi Blesofsky on its cover, lighting the grand menorah at Queens Borough Hall. This event prompted me to learn more about the work of the rabbi, his influence, and his family. As it turns out, Rabbi Blesofsky is one of the senior Chabad emissaries in the borough. He is the chairman of the Council of Shluchim, where local ambassadors of Chabad Lubavitch report their updates. Nearly three decades ago, the rabbi, his wife Dina, and two children began their work in Bayside at the direction of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rav Menachem Mendel Schneerson zt”l. Three short years later, the Chabad of Northeast Queens (CNEQ) launched an early childhood learning center, and followed 15 years later with their STREAM Academy, a progressive model of education that uniquely combines the joy of Torah learning with a stellar multidimensional, engaging, hands-on approach to general studies programming.
Winter break with Emet Outreach was more than a much-needed Florida vacation for a group of deserving college girls. Led by Ms. Adina Fendel, Emet Women’s Director, the six-day-trip featured a full schedule of motivational speakers, impactful religious experiences, scenic excursions, luxurious accommodations and of course, the opportunity for friendship.
A sprinkle cookie was all little Leah needed to feel like she was back in a warm, cozy home. “Sir, can I have another?” she asked. “Of course,” I responded. “How about a can of Coke with it?” Leah was just one of tens of children and families displaced by the horrific fire that ripped through Twin Parks Northwest 333 East 181st Street this past Sunday morning in the Bronx, taking the lives of 19.
Zion was a throwback to an earlier time, when a seemingly simple working-man would be a Jew of learning, piety, and chesed.
