Community Corner

As the crippling economic effects of COVID-19 continue to linger, leaving many storeowners on the brink of despair, the Kew Gardens section of Queens has been hit with an uneasy increase in local crime. Within 48 short hours of this past Monday afternoon, three stores within blocks of one another were targeted.

On Monday evening, November 23, this writer had the honor of speaking on behalf of the Congregation Ahavas Yisroel Women’s League on Zoom. The shiur was dedicated in memory of my father, Moshe ben Avraham HaLevi.

In response to the Supreme Court’s decision to prevent New York State from placing unequal coronavirus restrictions on religious gatherings, Rabbi Moshe Parnes, Southern Regional Vice President of the Coalition for Jewish Values, issued the following statement:

UJA Launches Multimillion-Dollar Anti-Poverty Initiative Across New York City Region

In response to the overwhelming need for expanded social services and job training across the New York region, UJA-Federation of New York and several partner organizations have launched a multimillion-dollar anti-poverty initiative intended to help tens of thousands of vulnerable New Yorkers. The effort includes seven locations, or “Hubs,” that feature a suite of essential health and human services for struggling New Yorkers that will operate as a seamless network with program and service referrals based on individual client needs, with virtual appointments and trainings available.

The Orthodox Union, the Rabbinical Council of America, and Yeshiva University have joined together to create a moving video tribute to former Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks that highlights his teachings, impact, and influence. The video was released on Sunday, November 29.

A record 40,000 participants from more than 130 countries have participated in Daf Yomi through All Daf, the Orthodox Union’s (OU) innovative free digital app that has made Gemara learning accessible to every Jew whenever it is convenient for him to learn. The international learning program finished the tractate of Eiruvin during the last week of November.