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At the time that this article went to press, the number of individuals infected by COVID-19 has not diminished. Our streets are quiet, but inside each hospital the scene is reminiscent of a humanitarian crisis, with a shortage of supplies and medical professionals leaving the front line of this health crisis after coming down with the same illness as their patients. The air outdoors feels cleaner, as there are fewer vehicles on the city’s roads. Our streets are quiet enough that one does not hear any honking, cars with loud bass, or screeching tires. The silence is pierced by ambulance sirens, with a frequency that rivals that of airplanes that used to fly above our neighborhoods on any given day.

Capitalizing on the excitement of the Siyum HaShas that inaugurated the 14^th cycle of Daf Yomi since the program’s inception, Chazaq teamed up with Agudath Israel of America to maintain the momentum. “It’s my third time trying. We should be together seven and a half years from now,” said Chazaq CEO Rabbi Yaniv Meirov.

The close-knit enclave of Kew Gardens suffered a tremendous loss this past Tuesday morning with the untimely passing of longtime resident “Rabbi Dr.” Yaakov Meltzer z”l. Reb Yaakov, 64, was involved with the Chevra Hatzolah of Queens since its early years, and stayed on for more than 35 years as a beloved volunteer medic. He, as well, assisted in the work on the eruv and was an aide with the local chevrah kadisha. “He was a wonderful, active man filled with care and simchas ha’chayim,” said Hatzolah senior paramedic Eli Rowe. “He was a tremendous talmid chacham.”

Israel’s third election within a year resulted in a higher than average voter turnout that pitted incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party and former Army chief of staff Benny Gantz’s Blue and White Party this past Monday.

The global lockdown on public life that includes non-essential shopping has not deterred Tomchei Shabbos of Queens from its mission of delivering to needy families and individuals in the Queens Jewish Community. “Big families will be picking up their packages along with a voucher for Aron’s Kissena Farms. Smaller families and the elderly are our priority,” said Tomchei Shabbos founder Shimi Pelman.

Rabbi Mendel Kaufman, 85, longtime mara d’asra of the Young Israel of Briarwood died this past Shabbos. He was remembered by his family, congregants, and neighbors for maintaining Jewish life in the neighborhood and welcoming Bukharian immigrants with open arms. “He was a very respectable and righteous person. When we arrived in Briarwood, he provided support and we’ve had very good relations,” said Rabbi Avrekh Kaziyev of Ohr Natan Briarwood.