News

In less than 40 days, New Yorkers will be back at the polls. Supreme Court Justice Cassandra Aimeé Johnson has been hard at work in recent months meeting local borough lay leaders as she vies to fill a vacancy at the Queens Surrogate Court in Jamaica. As Cassandra traveled across the county, the Jewish community was foremost on her list, and she won the endorsements of Queens County Democratic Party Chairman Rep. Gregory Meeks and District Leader Shimi Pelman early on.

On Election Day, November 8, 2022, New Yorkers voted to adopt all three ballot proposals putting racial equity at the center of New York City’s government. Pesach Osina, an outspoken Far Rockaway resident and former New York City Council candidate, has shined in his current role as a Senior Community Liaison to Adrienne Adams, the Council’s Speaker. Last week, Osina was assigned a commissioners role representing Queens County on the Commission on Racial Equity (CORE). Pesach has constantly demonstrated exemplary leadership qualities throughout his career in Public Service, as his experience in government has included the roles of community liaisons for members of the New York State Assembly, New York City Council, Queens Borough Director for the New York City Comptroller’s office, and most recently to the Speaker. 

On Thursday, April 4, the Queens Jewish Link ran an ad expressing appreciation to Congress Member Grace Meng for being a steadfast supporter of the Jewish People and the State of Israel, in spite of near daily antagonization from pro-Palestinian forces at her place of work and residence. Community members led by Rabbi Yaniv Meirov, CEO of Chazaq, signed the ad on behalf of the Queens Jewish community. They included our co-publishers Yaakov Serle and Naftali Szrolovits, David Berger, Aaron Cyperstein, Nechemia Hoch, Sorolle Idels, Aaron Laub, Meshulam Lisker, Jennifer Martin, David Mordukhaev, Pesach Osina, Shimi Pelman, Alan Sherman, Linda Spiegel, and me.

The Israel Heritage Foundation honored Israeli Police Inspector Mali Shoshana on Monday evening, May 6, with a special dinner at Prime Bistro in Lawrence, New York. Superintendent Shoshana is the commander of the Volunteer Division in the Lachish region.

Queens has a lot to be proud of; it is home to many leading organizations that guide the Torah world. Rabbi Zvi Y. Gluck is one of our humble neighbors who is always ready to lend a helping hand. As CEO of Amudim, Zvi has become a lifeline to Jewish communities worldwide.

DJ Avraham Productions ushered in the Lag BaOmer energy for a wide mix of Kew Gardens Hills’ Jewish community at the Motzaei Shabbos bonfire hosted in the courtyard of TOV Bet Midrash on 68th Drive and 147th Street. Rabbi Menashe Tzadka, mara d’asra, kept a feverish ruach going all night long by continuously exhibiting tremendous simchah amongst all ages and demographics of his mispallelim as the fire burned bright in the night's sky. As the only community-wide hilulah in the area that night, a larger than usual crowd partook in the celebration. I was joined by fellow Queens Shmira members to provide street closures at Main Street and 147th Street as well as site security. A tasty seudas melaveh malkah catered by Meal Mart on Main Street was provided after the outdoor dancing concluded