Queens Jewish Link
Connecting the Queens Jewish Community Recap:Mr. Greenspan, Zeidy’s friend, drives Akiva to shul for his bar mitzvah lesson. He gives...
Hello, fellow QJL readers! It’s nice to be able to sit down and write another article for my readers. What’s even nicer is to look back on the many articles written and feel they’re worth repeating. Enjoy!
I was climbing the stairs to the flight school when two men with olive complexions wearing dark suits pushed ahead of me. They were speaking urgently to each other in a foreign language.
NEW YORK NEWS
New York Republicans exceeded expectations in the midterm elections, especially considering the results around the country. While challenger Lee Zeldin fell to Governor Kathy Hochul by a margin of 6 points, every Congressional district in the state moved to the right of where they were in 2020. This resulted in a gain of 4 seats to the House of Representatives, as well as breaking the supermajority the Democrats have in the State Senate and making gains in the Assembly. Zeldin, in his concession, urged Hochul to pay attention to how close the results were from previous years. “Those controlling Albany should take note. New Yorkers of all walks of life are sick of the attacks on their wallets, their safety, their freedoms and the quality of their kids’ education and are hitting their breaking point, as proven by these results. As they take office in January, Governor Kathy Hochul and those controlling Albany must address the grave concerns voiced by the voters,” he said.
On a cold wintry night in Israel, four soldiers are on patrol protecting the Israeli citizens as they sleep in their warm beds. The hour is nearing 2:00 a.m. and they have been on patrol for six hours already. They are tired and cold.
On Shabbos Parshas Chayei Sarah, November 23, 2019, the world lost a person in my eyes who was one of the 36 of the world. Reb Berish Teichman (Reb Yisachar Dov Berish ben Reb Avraham z”l), was a man who lived his whole life in the name of Hashem. The first pasuk in this week’s parshah states, “And the life of Sarah Imeinu was 100 years, 20 years, and seven years.” Rashi comments that all the years of Sarah’s life were equally good. But were they? Sarah suffered tremendously in her lifetime. She was barren, she experienced famine, and was taken captive by Pharoah and Avimelech. However, our mother Sarah always said that everything was “gam zo l’tovah,” this too is for the good.” She was aware that everything was from HaKadosh Baruch Hu, and therefore must be good.
Aron Beidner was a Holocaust survivor who merited to live to 104.
My father Aron Beidner passed away in August of 2021 of COVID-related pneumonia. He had just celebrated his 104th birthday in July. Everyone said he was blessed with years. I had to agree. Though in my eyes and heart, he was far too young to die. I wrote the following essay and poem while he was still alive. I never felt quite ready to share these reflections until now. In light of recent events around the world and the commemoration Kristallnacht/Night of the Broken Glass, I feel they hold greater significance and a more sacred place in the world. I respectfully share them with you.
