Shabsie Saphirstein

On Sunday, November 5, an extraordinary hachnosas sefer Torah was held in Kew Gardens Hills. The joy of the mitzvah was enhanced with the energetic music of singing sensation Avi Peretz and his keyboardist Ori Bitan as the joyous parade passed along 68th Drive across Main Street to 147th Street, until reaching 70th Road, where the Torah joined Shuva Israel of Queens. The final letters for the scroll were completed at the home of the rav, Rabbi Shimon Sadon shlit”a, and the celebration included the attendance of Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto shlit”a, the esteemed president and rav of the Shuva Yisrael community.

Over 6,000 pairs already donated and in use

Members of the Young Israel of Holliswood have mobilized to outfit the IDF, becoming deeply engrossed on a mission to supply frontline soldiers with tactical military-grade boots, a drastic upgrade for reservists stuck with threadbare boots. “We have left our families and communities to defend Israel,” stated a thankful IDF General Daniel Jacobs, who was the first to inquire about the availability of appropriate footgear for his troops. “It is not easy leaving our children at home, but we believe in the cause of protecting the Israeli nation,” said Itay, another fellow in his unit. “You are our only hope!” insisted Gen. Jacobs, who subsequently received the boots.

Jews worldwide have embraced the feeling of achdus, seeking new ways to bring unity. This past Shabbos, the Young Israel of Forest Hills (YIFH) hosted the legendary media magnet Nachum Segal and his wife Stacey, parents of Yosef Segal, president of the Young Professionals Minyan (YPM). I was privileged to join the scholar-in-residence as a guest of Rabbi Dr. Elimelech and Chavie Gottlieb, parents of shul president Dovid Gottlieb, for the Friday evening gala Shabbos seudah. Since accepting the presidency this past July, Dovid, a third-generation Young Israel member, has revamped the facility with renewed growth and budding prospects bringing a fervent achdus into the Modern Orthodox community of Southern Forest Hills.

Nearly 300,000 Jews descended on Washington, DC’s National Mall from the Capitol’s West Front to the Capitol Reflecting Pool this past Tuesday, Rosh Chodesh Kislev, to cry “Never again!” and show unadulterated, unapologetic, and complete solidarity with Israel and the Jewish People. Another 300,000 joined virtually through over a dozen options available by leading media outlets, including Stand With Us and the event organizers, whose livestream feed had a steady 65,000-plus.

Council Member James Gennaro and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation deserve a round of applause for bringing peace of mind to Kew Gardens Hills residents in the aftermath of a despicable arson incident at Queens Valley Playground, commonly known as the Shabbos Park, adjacent to P.S. 164. The Council Member took an active role in intervening to ensure a swift replacement to the damaged area, working directly with Queens Parks Department Borough Commissioner Jackie Langsam.

Outgoing President Michael Nussbaum honored for lifetime commitment

As a guest of Linda Spiegel of Margaret Tietz and as a QJCC board member, I was privileged to attend one of the strongest shows of local solidarity for Israel to date. The dignitaries at the Queens Jewish Community Council’s 54^th anniversary gala held at Da Mikele Illagio in Elmhurst on Sunday, October 18, all agreed to Israel’s obligation to destroy Hamas. The evening also paid tribute to the lifetime of commitment to the Jewish community of outgoing President Michael Nussbaum.