Community Corner

The ink was barely dry on Emet Outreach’s expanded lease in Jamaica Estates when the new space became an essential part of planning for the first JBoard Shabbaton of the fall semester. With registration climbing to include students from more than four campuses, Emet’s staff and student leaders were determined to accommodate the growing crowd. “We just signed the lease, and the space was unfinished,” recalled Sara Basiratmand Benyamin, Emet Program Director. “Rabbi Rutenberg suggested using the Emet Center’s new lower level, and that sounded impossible. I didn’t think we could get it ready in time, but by Friday morning, the area had been cleaned, and tables and chairs were delivered. We made it happen.”

New York City Comptroller Mark Levine’s clarification of his position on Israel Bonds has helped ease concerns among Jewish communal leaders following criticism of his decision not to resume the city’s purchases. His October 15 statement reaffirmed his support for Israel and explained how restrictions introduced under his predecessor, Brad Lander, have complicated efforts to restore the investments.

As we read Parshas Vayera, we learn a powerful lesson from Avraham Avinu about what it means to truly care for another person.

On Sunday, November 1, morning services will once again be available for the convenience of the many Jewish runners from across the country and around the globe who will be participating in the 55^th edition of this world-famous road race. Begun in 1983, the International Minyan for NYC Marathoners is the most frequently recurring religious service of any kind, at any major sporting event, anywhere in the world.

Touro University unveiled Project Zikaron, a digital archive containing more than 1.2 million pages of historical materials documenting over 16,000 Jewish communities worldwide, including thousands destroyed during the Holocaust.

The New York State Democratic Party has passed a resolution condemning antisemitism. It was first reported Oct. 18, less than three weeks after Mayor Zohran Mamdani rolled out a $26 million plan to fight anti-Jewish hate.