Community Corner

Congress Member Ritchie Torres delivered powerful remarks as the special guest at a Sunday afternoon fundraiser in support of State Assemblymember Sam Berger. Torres is well known for his tremendous advocacy on behalf of the State of Israel and the Jewish People, and has withstood vile attacks, especially in the aftermath of the Simchas Torah massacre.

Kevod Shabbos is central for Rav Dovid Z. Sheinfeld, mara d’asra of Khal Degel Israel of Kew Gardens Hills. As a youngster, I recall the Rav hosting onegs that filled his Shabbos table with children’s laughter and smiles, as well as inquisitive Torah thoughts. While such programs continue today, the Rav now opens both his home and the beis midrash to those eager to learn on a Friday evening after the seudah.

Take a moment to see why our generation’s sages find this kollel incredibly exclusive.

Dr. Tali Skoczylas z”l was well-known to g’dolim worldwide for his healing powers. Together with his esteemed wife Devora, they raised a remarkable family in Kew Gardens Hills. This Shabbos, Parshas T’tzaveh, the neighborhood is privileged to welcome back HaRav HaGaon Yaakov Skoczylas shlita, Rosh Kollel at Kollel L’Hora’ah Yerushalayim, where a breed of poskim are nurtured with the Skoczylas signature charm that has talmidei chachamim delighted as they seek to further incubate the kollel’s rabbinic graduates in the myriad of networks.

The JCRC-NY held its annual Congressional breakfast this past Sunday, February 4, at UJA-Federation of New York’s Midtown East headquarters. Bennett W. Golub, President, delivered opening remarks; Cheryl Fishbein, Chair of the Board, presented an introduction for the Congressional presentations; and Noam Gilboord, Interim CEO, offered acknowledgements and closing remarks, while Honorable Mark Treyger, incoming CEO, kicked off with the program’s greetings to the 300+ guests. Israel’s war against Hamas, the future of US-Israel relations, and a surge in anti-Semitism dominated the mic, highlighted by Ronen and Orna Neutra’s remarks, as they yearn to hug their 22-year-old son Omer, held hostage by Hamas.

120 Participants Sought for Groundbreaking ‘Tag A Loved One’ Initiative

At 6:15 p.m., this past Friday evening, February 2, Queens Shmira successfully located a local 81-year-old who had gone missing at the start of Shabbos. The call was phoned into the organization’s hotline at the conclusion of davening and, within minutes, a handful of dedicated members were on scene and canvassing nearby Fresh Meadows streets.

The work of Boots For Israel, originated by the Young Israel of Holliswood lay leadership, is well known to our readers. This past Sunday, February 4, talmidim and talmidos from North Shore Hebrew Academy elementary and high school, and Yeshiva Har Torah, along with their families, united for Israel in a mega boot-packing event at Great Neck Synagogue. The program began with an inspirational Minchah that was the perfect segue into a huge chesed undertaking. Fresh pizza was the perfect treat for the young volunteers.