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 70th Road and 147th 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 12th-century physician, astronomer, and philosopher, left a legacy of halachic teachings and insight into shidduchim included within his works on Jewish law and ethics.