News

Rav Reuvain Feinstein Joins Police Commissioner and Neighborhood Reps

This year’s NYPD Pre-Pesach Security Briefing at One Police Plaza drew significant attendance, more than 400, with strong participation from all the city’s Jewish communities.

Judge Simcha (Scott) Andrew Dunn ascended to the 11th District of the New York Supreme Court, as one of 58 justices, in a very personal ceremony on Thursday evening, April 18, on the atrium stage at the Helen Marshall Cultural Center at Queens Borough Hall amongst family and friends.

This past Motza’ei Shabbos, the yeshivah world was thrown into mourning for the third time in a week with the petirah of HaRav HaGaon Yechiel Yitzchak Perr, ztk”l, 89. Rabbi Perr was the founder and Rosh HaYeshivah at Yeshiva Derech Ayson, Yeshiva Far Rockaway, my alma mater. Though our interactions were few over my high school career, each was steeped in deep meaning and lesson, be it in the beis hamesdresh or the yeshivah office where I often found opportunities. Rabbi Perr relied on the wisdom and foresight of his partner at the yeshivah, HaRav Aharon Brafman zt”l, the pioneering menahel. Together, they changed the landscape of Far Rockaway and built a community where hundreds of alumni settled. His loss is incalculable for the Torah community and as the preeminent Torah authority at the helm of the Far Rockaway community, Rabbi Perr made an indelible mark influencing thousands of bnei Yisrael with his unmatched brilliance.

The Queens Jewish Community Council (QJCC), 56 years strong, successfully distributed Passover food packages this past Sunday, April 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Forest Hills Jewish Center. Rabbi Mayer Waxman, Executive Director, led the drive from the morning delivery, courtesy of the Met Council, as cases of food were dropped curbside - enough to feed some 1,000 recipients from approximately 300 local families.

On Sunday, Chasdei Lev hosted a Pesach food and supply distribution event at Bais Yaakov Academy of Queens. The event was orchestrated by a local volunteer effort that included the assistance of many elementary-aged yeshivah boys who dedicated their afternoon to the cause. The event honored rebbeim and teachers, celebrating their dedication to education with a show of gratitude.

This past Sunday afternoon, Meshulam and Tova Lisker once again hosted a collection of excess mishloach manos food items from Purim benefitting Tomchei Shabbos of Queens. The drive brought in a number of community members eager to assist families in need. Unopened and packaged nosh, fruit, and beverages bearing a proper rabbinic supervision were collected in multitude as volunteers organized and sorted the massive lot accordingly. Originally, I was a little upset that certain nosh items received in my house were donated, but after considering where the food was going to, I was encouraged that my family, like so many others, rushed at the opportunity to partake in the mitzvah of supporting local struggling families. Mi k'amcha Yisrael.