Susie Garber

On Tuesday evening, April 29, the Navigating the Medical System Lecture Series hosted a comprehensive virtual program on viral respiratory illnesses at Congregation Etz Chaim. Dr. Mel Breite, the Founder and Director of the Lecture Series, opened the event with a warm welcome. Reflecting on his medical school days, he noted that polio was the primary concern at the time.

On Sunday night, Let’s Get Real with Coach Menachem featured Rabbi Jonathan Rietti, a renowned speaker and author. Rabbi Rietti taught that the true starting point of liberation is when Hashem revealed Himself at Har Sinai to B’nei Yisrael, declaring, “I am your Power of Powers.” The verse uses “asher,” indicating that Hashem joyfully brought us out of Egypt, celebrating our devotion in performing two mitzvos – bris milah and korban Pesach – with immense self-sacrifice, even slaughtering the Egyptian god in their presence.

On Tuesday night, April 23, Ephraim Berger hosted a virtual Yom HaShoah commemoration for the Queens community, featuring a preview of his late father’s memoir, Sh’al Avicha: A Holocaust Memoir by Dov Berger z”l. The program, dedicated to Dov Berger’s memory, saw participation from most shuls in Kew Gardens Hills.

On Wednesday night, March 26, Chazaq Connections hosted a shiur given by Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier, Director of The Shmuz and author of 10 Dumb Mistakes Smart Couples Make, at the Young Israel of Hillcrest.

In an inspiring conversation, J. Morton Davis and his daughter, Ruki D. Renov, shared insights from their book, Happiness Guaranteed Or Your Misery Back. Mr. Davis emphasized that life presents challenges, but happiness requires effort and intention.

 On Tuesday evening, March 18, the Navigating the Medical System Lecture Series featured a virtual lecture hosted by Congregation Etz Chaim, by Nao Y. Yoneda, MD, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Queens Emergency Room doctor, on preventing cognitive decline in aging.