Community Corner

Since assuming office, Assemblymember Sam Berger of Queens’ 27^th District has discussed important matters of his constituents. As a proud Orthodox Jew, Berger understands and is unfortunately all too aware of the rise in hate crimes occurring in our community and state.

Project Lead held an especially memorable pre-Purim luncheon for Holocaust survivors and other frail Jewish elderly at Prestige Restaurant in Rego Park. Lonely elderly dressed up for the occasion and were treated to a sumptuous four-course dinner. The event also included live music that was very well received. Frail seniors also received hamantashen boxes as a take-home souvenir.

Last week, the Young Israel of Jamaica Estates (YIJE) hosted four courageous women, Anila Ali, Farhena Khorshed, Soraya Deen, Zebunnesa Zeba Zubair, and moderator Tatiana Kotlyarenko, International expert on gender-based violence and human trafficking.

The boys of Pirchei of Kew Gardens and Richmond Hill, held in Khal Adas Yereim of Kew Gardens, enjoyed an annual trip to Laser Bounce – Family Fun Center at The Shops at Atlas Park in Glendale this past Monday, March 25, Shushan Purim. Any talmid who attended Pirchei’s Motza’ei Shabbos Learning Program more than ten times was treated to the fantastic trip. Additionally, each boy also received a $72 gift card to Safra Judaica & Stam in Kew Gardens Hills.

An alleged retaliatory dismissal stood at the center of suit

The reinstatement of a Jewish student at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences was announced this past week by The Lawfare Project, a decade-old non-profit pro-bono Manhattan-based legal service that aims to protect the civil and human rights of the international Jewish community. Upon a recent dismissal from the school’s Physician Assistant program, the student alleged that her removal from the program was done in retaliation for reporting anti-Semitic comments routinely posted by one of her professors from within the classroom.

The Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), representing over 2,500 traditional, Orthodox rabbis in American public policy, welcomed the release of The Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, noting with appreciation the multiple items therein supporting Israel, combating anti-Semitism, and combating anti-Israel bias in Palestinian and global bodies.