Community Corner

Last Thursday, the residents of Kew Gardens Hills experienced an event that was a bright spot amid the dreariness of the coronavirus quarantine: a parade of ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars on Main Street, to celebrate the selfless, live-saving work of Queens Hatzolah volunteers during this pandemic. “The volunteers are beyond incredible; their call volume had doubled, and it wasn’t spaced out evenly,” said Shiu Reichmann, a longtime Queens Hatzolah coordinator.

The Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), representing over 1500 traditional rabbis in matters of public policy, this week called upon Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee in the 2020 Presidential race, to withdraw his statement that he would resume funding to the Palestinian Authority despite its ongoing provision of financial rewards to the families of terrorists, and his claim that Israel would “jeopardize a two-state solution” were it to extend sovereignty over Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, the “West Bank.”

A phased reopening for New York State is not far off. This past Friday, May 8, Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed a large contingent of members to the newly announced Sector Advisory Councils: Non-Profit and Social Services, Public Health and Healthcare, Faith-based, Construction and Real Estate, Education and Vocational Training, and Surface Transportation. This is in addition to the Sector Advisory Councils on Labor and Workforce; Large Business; Small Business; and Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Entertainment. Sector Advisory Councils were designed to notify the public of the New York City administration’s efforts to restart the economy and overall city life as we gradually return to normalcy. Each team will be led by a deputy mayor or a city agency head and will consist of 20 to 40 experts in their respective fields from different areas within the greatly tested city. Each council will serve as a critical link and strategist to advise and circulate information about reopening and provide leadership to shape the City’s response to the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Tuesday evening, May 5, Rabbi YY Jacobson, well-known speaker, shared an enlightening live-streamed shiur on behalf of Emet Outreach. The shiur delved into how to develop a personal relationship with G-d. “We have to remember in Judaism that every crisis is an opportunity.”

The National Council of Young Israel (NCYI) on Monday called on The New York Times to issue a retraction after it published a defamatory article last week that unjustly vilified the Israeli Defense Forces.

We all have areas within ourselves and our lives that may be bitter, coarse, and unpleasant. We are all surrounded by others who also possess their own flaws and faults. We may at times be on the ground, overwhelmed with feelings of depression, anger, anxiety, or fear.