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Just over a year ago, on November 29, 2018, the Queens community was rocked by the devastating, ruthless, and unwarranted beating of David, an innocent Bukharian youth at 64^th Road and 108^th Street. His crime being simply that of his heritage – a member of our Jewish tribe. The gruesome pictures of its aftermath circulated all facets of media like wildfire, bringing the most hardened individuals to tears.

Yeshivas HaMasmidim of Queens, a project of the Agudath Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, celebrated Chanukah with a lively chagigah this past Thursday evening. Over 40 boys, all from local yeshivos in grades 3-6, spend an hour on Monday evenings furthering their Torah learning in a beautiful display of kiddush Hashem.

On the morning of Wednesday, January 1, there was a feeling of excitement and anticipation in the air as over 150 Emet students, alumni, staff, and their families gathered in Beth Gavriel in Forest Hills for a delicious breakfast. The occasion was a pre-celebration of the historic 13^th Siyum HaShas, where the group would later join over 90,000 fellow Jews at the MetLife Stadium to rejoice as one. As they boarded coach buses to head to New Jersey, there was a palpable sense of pride at being able to be a part of the amazing culmination of 7½ years of Daf Yomi study.

Chaim Yehudi ben Leah

Tinok ben Moriah Temimah

Efrat bas Oshrah

Congresswoman takes part in NYC march

On Sunday, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) took part in the “No Hate. No Fear.” Solidarity March, standing with the Jewish community against anti-Semitism and hate. The event began in lower Manhattan with participants marching over the Brooklyn Bridge to Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn.

Throughout history, David HaMelech’s book of Psalms has been a traditional source of inspiration, chizuk, clarity, and comfort in times of distress. Whenever we find ourselves in difficult situations, whether individually or communally, we open up the Book of Psalms and use David HaMelech’s poetic praises and supplications to ask Hashem for mercy. Throughout the 150 chapters, there are praises, declarations, and supplications spanning the full range of human emotions (e.g., fear, hope, despair, excitement). All of the chapters convey an emotional awareness of Hashem’s involvement in every aspect of our lives. The Midrash tells us that when King David compiled the Psalms, he had in mind himself, as well as every Jew of every generation and every circumstance. The words of the Psalms contain appropriate chapters for every possible situation, feelings, and circumstances.