Community Corner

With the passing of over 70 years since the events of the Holocaust, the Jewish people are at a critical juncture in their history. The events of the Holocaust are close enough that we can speak to witnesses and survivors and hear stories of horror, hope, and liberation, yet they are far enough that it is challenging for today’s generation to truly comprehend its magnitude. With tremendous foresight, Yad Vashem was established in 1952 with the goals of educating the world about the Holocaust and mining through history to create a comprehensive understanding of the world during the 1930s and 1940s. Perhaps the most important part of Yad Vashem’s mission can be explained in one word: education.

The Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), representing over 1000 traditional rabbinic leaders in matters of public policy, last week said statements of support for Rev. Al Sharpton from Senators (and Presidential candidates) Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren reflected “great insensitivity” towards the Jewish community. Following an attack on Sharpton from President Donald Trump, Harris claimed that Sharpton “has spent his life fighting for what’s right and working to improve our nation,” while Warren said he “has dedicated his life to the fight for justice for all.”

For the fourth year in a row, devoted friends, supporters, and alumni of Camp Sternberg joined together to raise funds to enable girls to attend camp in the summer. Their itinerary was quite challenging, as they biked, hiked, and canoed down the Delaware, yet they knew that it was for a very worthwhile cause.

The first Sunday of June was the annual Celebrate Israel Parade. Although it feels like a distant memory, its reverberations are still being felt. With over 40,000 marchers and even more spectators lining the streets, this year had to be one of the best parades. The energy was amazing, and the theme “Rak B’Yisrael” was a major reason why. Over 65 schools participated, and each was judged based on its presentation, enthusiasm, and overall appearance. Ezra Academy was recently informed that they were awarded third place in this year’s parade. Aside from the tremendous pride the school feels for this recognition, it is also accompanied by a monetary prize given by the JCRC, the organization that coordinates the parade.

Rav Noach Isaac Oelbaum, noted poseik and mara d’asra of Khal Nachlas Yitzchok in Queens, visited Camp Simcha on Sunday, August 4. Rav Oelbaum toured the campus, met with campers and staff, gave brachos, and offered words of chizuk.

The YCQ (Yeshiva of Central Queens) Alumni Association is proud to announce that it is hosting its inaugural Alumni Basketball Game and Family Fun Day on Sunday, November 3, beginning at 11:00 a.m. It is hoped that this basketball game will become an annual event, generating much excitement among alumni who wish to renew relationships with both their elementary/middle school alma mater and former classmates/friends. This year’s event, as presently envisioned, will be limited to a single basketball game for alumni who are 22 years of age or older. If there is significant interest in registering for this game, a second and possibly even a third game that day will be added.