Community Corner

Shuva Israel Queens Celebrates 16 Years Of Service

Shuva Israel of Queens welcomed Admor Rav Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto shlita, the famed kabbalist, Chief Rabbi of Morocco, and president of their synagogue. The rare gathering filled the newly expanded beis ha’k’neses at the corner of 70^th Road and 147^th Street in Kew Gardens Hills to capacity, with many standing in the vestibule. This marked the 20 Teves hilula of two Moroccan g’dolim of yesteryear, Rav Yaakov Abuchatzera “the Abir Yaakov” z”ya (d. 1880), and Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon “The Rambam” z”ya (d. 1204). Admor Pinto is a direct descendant of the Abir Yaakov. The Rambam, a 12^th-century physician, astronomer, and philosopher, left a legacy of halachic teachings and insight into shidduchim included within his works on Jewish law and ethics.

Assemblymember Sam Berger has introduced groundbreaking legislation, The Dialogue & Decorum Act (A.8334), set to establish the crime of disruption or disturbance of a lawful assembly by making such crime a class A misdemeanor. The bill guarantees the First Amendment of the United States Constitution right to freedom of speech and assembly will not be denied by those intent on silencing speech they disagree with.

On Thursday, December 14, Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15) basked in a new bill of the creation of a new Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords, which he introduced and passed through the House of Representatives with fellow New York Congressman Mike Lawyer (District 17). The bill has since passed through Congress through the National Defense Authorization Act of 2024. “The Abraham Accords are an affirmation that peace is possible, which must be protected and strengthened,” wrote Torres in a statement.

The Chofetz Chaim, a revered Jewish sage known for his wisdom and teachings, shared a profound insight about a time before the arrival of Mashiach. He conveyed that Hashem would shake the world as if with a rope, testing the faith of individuals in challenging times. These tough moments, as he explained, serve as a trial for our faith, urging us to tightly hold onto our connection with Hashem, likened to a symbolic rope.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz was sworn in for a second term on Tuesday, January 2, by Supreme Court Administrative Judge Donna-Marie Golia. The ceremony, held in the Helen Marshall Cultural Center at Queens Borough Hall, was attended by some 200 staff and justices. The DA’s youngest son, Hunter, held the copy of the Old Testament used for the swearing in.

Despite the cold temperature, the Queens Jewish community recently witnessed the dazzling spectacle of the annual “Light Up the Night” Chanukah celebration, a unifying event that brought together 3,000 revelers from our diverse communities for the fifth consecutive year.