Susie Garber

A rose among thorns. In Shir HaShirim, Shlomo HaMelech describes klal Yisrael as the rose among the nations. The Bais Yaakov Academy of Queens is a like a beautiful rose amidst the thorny world of secular values – a gift that our community cherishes. Our community is so grateful to have this wonderful school that is carrying on the legacy of its founder, Rabbi Moshe Neuman zt”l.

On Tuesday evening, May 17, Chazaq, Chickens for Shabbos, and Olam Realty held the last distribution of the school year for mechanchim, rebbeim, moros, as well as divorcees and almanos. Over 200 people signed up. Again, the Ner Mordechai Congregation in Kew Gardens kindly hosted this beautiful event. Each of the people was welcomed with a warm smile and greeting from Mrs. Betty Aboff and her daughter Suri Aboff, and was handed an inventory list of the items available. Then the guests were directed to the ballroom, which was filled with an incredible assortment of brand-new household items. Diapers, baby wipes, brooms, cosmetics, electronics, dental care items, men’s brand-name shoes, tons of fun toys, women’s shells, and more were set up in a beautiful display.

On Wednesday evening, May 25, Congregation Ahavas Yisroel of Kew Gardens Hills celebrated its 34^th Annual Dinner at the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills. Elegantly displayed peony centerpieces and delicious healthful food added to this lovely dinner.

There are people we are privileged to meet or work with who impact our lives in ways that are unforgettable. I first met Rabbi Moshe Neuman when I made the decision to send our oldest daughter, Elisheva, to the Bais Yaakov Academy of Queens. This was a momentous, wonderful decision for our family. Elisheva was going into first grade, and I brought her to the interview with a little book she had written. Rabbi Neuman was so kind, and it felt like it would be the right school for her.

On Sunday night, May 15, Let’s Get Real With Coach Menachem hosted an enlightening lecture with Dr. Akiva Perlman and Dr. Tamar Perlman.

On Tuesday evening, May 10, Dr. Mel Breite, Founder and Director of the Navigating the Medical System Lecture Series, welcomed everyone to a virtual lecture on palliative care. The lecture was hosted, as always, by Congregation Etz Chaim. Dr. Breite noted that the idea of palliative care was never taught when he was in medical school, and Dr. Cynthia Pan, Director of Palliative Care at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Queens, also shared that this term was not taught when she attended medical school. So, it is a fairly new idea.