Community Corner

As part of his ongoing effort to boost the quality of life in the community, Council Member James F. Gennaro spent Friday morning, October 15, revealing a series of clean-up initiatives throughout the district. Gennaro was joined by DSNY Commissioner Edward Grayson and community leaders to announce new partnerships with DSNY, the Wildcat Service Corporation, and The Doe Fund. As part of his humanitarian mission, the Council Member allocated a total of $430,000 in this year’s budget cycle for clean-up efforts targeting litter and graffiti – including $185,000 to Wildcat, $150,000 to the Doe Fund, and $95,000 to the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY).

Hillel Newerstein (Hillel Meir ben Avraham Shlomo a”h) was one of the most special and remarkable people who made up our shul and community. But to me, he was a true friend. What I mean by a true friend is someone who not only can be relied on to be there whenever you need him, but someone who helps you become a better person. There is no question that Hillel especially helped me become a better person and a better Jew; he helped me grow in Torah in many ways. And I suspect that that was not only true for me, but for others as well.

When we pass the schoolyards of our yeshivos and hear the innocent chatter of children gearing up for an exciting day, we too get energized for our day ahead. Now, imagine if you directed one family in transferring their child into yeshivah from public school. How would you feel as you see that young student thrive in his or her new environment? What if you helped numerous families make that switch? Well, your involvement with Chazaq will give you that dynamic feeling every day.

Petty crimes committed locally have unfortunately almost become accepted as the norm now, as residents are forced to keep a keen eye out for suspicious behavior right here in our neighborhoods. This past Thursday evening, I was fortunate to join a friend of the community, Deputy Inspector Kevin Chan, Commanding Officer of the 107^th Precinct, for an informative Zoom call hosted by the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills and its mara d’asra Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld.

We all know there is nothing more important than our families – more specifically how we protect those closest to us. Last Tuesday evening, October 12, I joined Jennifer Martin, Funeral Director at Schwartz Bros.-Jeffer Memorial Chapels and Parkside Memorial Chapels, a division of Dignity Memorial, for an informational seminar held at The Upper Crust restaurant on how to plan the final arrangements for loved ones. Those gathered, including couples, widows, and singles of varied ages, gathered to learn simple steps to plan ahead.

In T’hilim, Psalm 27, David HaMelech beseeches, “Let me dwell in the House of Hashem all the days of my life, behold the pleasantness of Hashem, and to visit in His Sanctuary.” How can David HaMelech live somewhere permanently and yet merely be a visitor? Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky explains that David HaMelech is asking Hashem to help him always have the excitement of a first-time experience when he serves Hashem. David HaMelech desires to be a dweller all of his days but yet never lose the passion of a visitor.