Community Corner

F. Scott Fitzgerald once wrote, “There are no second acts in American lives.” But Fitzgerald clearly never met Rabbi Yonoson Hirtz and his wife Rochelle Hirtz. For 18 years, the two of them were Rabbi and Rebbetzin of the Utopia Jewish Center until its recent closing. As both are in chinuch, Rabbi Hirtz as rebbe at HAFTR High School, as well as lead Jewish history teacher, and Rebbetzin Hirtz as principal of Shulamith High School for Girls in Brooklyn, they thought that retirement from the synagogue pulpit would fit their life plan. That now includes much time with their five grown children and an increasing number of grandchildren. But fate had different plans. They joined the Torah Center of Hillcrest, got involved in giving shiurim and then one day got the shocking news that the Torah Center’s beloved Rabbi Shmuel Lemann would be leaving his position to pursue chinuch full time.

Staff at Masbia of Queens built a sukkah to feed the need during Sukkos, in addition to take-home raw grocery packages and take-home cooked Shabbos and Yom-Tov meals.

Last Wednesday, on the first day of Chol HaMoed, over 2,000 men, women, and children from a variety of Queens communities converged at Haym Salomon Square just outside of the Queens Public Library of Kew Gardens Hills for a Mega Sukkot Unity event, in honor of the year of Hakhel.

Assemblymember Rosenthal has received the endorsement of the New York City Police Benevolent Association which represents approximately 24,000 sworn NYPD members. Because of his steadfast commitment to public safety and law enforcement, the PBA has endorsed Daniel Rosenthal in his bid for reelection. Their collective mission to ensure public safety concerns has never been more crucial, and I look forward to supporting the brave men and women in blue with the tools they need to keep our families and streets safe.

The Kew Gardens and Richmond Hills communities hosted a lively simchas bais ha’shoeva on Motza’ei Yom Tov, Chol HaMoed Sukkos, October 11, at Khal Adas Yereim in Kew Gardens. Attendees were treated to the music of Rabbi Ophie Nat, amongst an array of special guest singers. The packed program included singing and dancing, pizza and ice cream, as well as a heartfelt kumzits that included raffles for the children. Top prizes included a hoverboard, scooter, a 21-speed mountain bicycle, and $250, $100, and $25 Amazon gift cards. Adults were entered into a raffle for a framed picture of the Chofetz Chaim. The annual event was presented by Divrei Chizuk and the local Pirchei chapter. As the pictures are testament, fun was had by all.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul acknowledged the Sukkos celebrations with a statement to the Jewish community where she noted that it is “a time to joyously celebrate the bounties we have received and can share with others.” At a simchas beis hashoeva in Crown Heights at the home of Rabbi and Mrs. Chanina Sperlin, the governor made it a point to highlight her indebtedness of the values and traditions held dear to the New York Jewish community. Hochul went on to pledge her commitment and support to both the Jewish community and its cherished institutions. She was joined by elected officials included, Mayor Eric Adams, Attorney General Letitia James, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, and various local legislators, including the Honorable Daniel Rosenthal representing the New York State Assembly. 

 By QJL Staff