Queens Jewish Link
Connecting the Queens Jewish Community 
This year’s Sukkos is in the middle of the week, perhaps not allowing enough time for a vacation. For those eating in sukkos close to their year-round homes, here are the opportunities for tourism in the city and nearby. This year, many of the attractions listed are celebrating their centennials and golden anniversaries, with exhibits and events relating to these milestones.
In his support for Israel, Dr. Gene Berkovich backs a variety of causes, sharing them with his extended family and community. Among them is Yatar, a volunteer-driven fleet of ATVs that arose from tragedy to prevent additional loss of life.
Between my house in West Hempstead and the local Chabad House, Halls Pond Park is often used for photoshoots and the occasional movie shoot. On Sunday night, it was surrounded by cars, many of them with flags, as police directed traffic. There had been a vigil for slain conservative influencer Charlie Kirk at the Long Island Rail Road’s Seaford station the previous night that attracted 5,000 supporters, but seeing a gathering close to home brought the realization that we are in a historical moment resonating in all corners of this country.
At the Young Israel of West Hempstead, Michal Lobanov Shares Her Personal Story of Tragedy, Strength, and Hope
Michal Lobanov lost her husband to Hamas terrorists and gained a global family that continues to support her and other widows of hostages and fallen soldiers. Last Sunday, she shared her experiences at the Young Israel of West Hempstead.
Queens-Born Chedvata Soldier Brings the Message to The Five Towns
The sense of unity and outrage following the Hamas attack on Israel resulted in unprecedented numbers of young chareidim signing up for military service, even as leading rabbis and politicians remain opposed to drafting yeshivah students amid the ongoing war in Gaza. Responding to their needs, Rabbi Yonatan Reiss seeks to expand Chedvata, a chareidi Hesder program that consists of Torah study in the mornings, career training in the afternoons with Ashkelon College, followed by army service in a chareidi IDF unit.
Chava Ben-David’s childhood in Queens was unique in some ways, as she was raised by her single father in a neighborhood far from her yeshivah. Determined to give her a Jewish education, her father Zelig drove her to school; but on one occasion, his car was being repaired and I volunteered to pick up Chava.
