Community Corner

This past Sunday, August 21, under a beautiful sky in the heart of Main Street in Kew Gardens Hills, surrounded by family, friends, and community members, the Besalel family had the z’chus of celebrating and welcoming a new sefer Torah dedicated in memory of their dear uncle, Shlomo Chaim Betzalel z”l.

Sunday, August 14, was Celebrate Israel Day at Citi Field for a matchup of the New York Mets against the Philadelphia Phillies. The program supported the Soroka Medical Center based in Be’er Sheva, the sole medical destination for the southern point of the country. Sitting just 20 miles from Gaza, the medical center has been dubbed Israel’s Medical Iron Dome. The Frances and Nathan Kirsch Emergency Department and Trauma Unit is the busiest in Israel. Due to Operation Breaking Down, the center has relocated vulnerable units like the neonatal intensive care unit.

The p’tirah of Maran Chacham Shalom HaKohen Cohen zt”l has left the worldwide Sephardic Jewish community with an incalculable loss at his passing.   His l’vayah, held this past Monday, attracted tens of thousands of mourners, and was protected by 500 police officers, a helicopter, and drones; a prohibition on work was also instated during the time of the funeral. Chacham Shalom, born on November 3, 1930, was a preeminent Torah authority who, in extreme humility and modesty, stood at the helm of Yeshivat Porat Yosef on Rechov Yosef ben Matisyahu in Geulah, and led the Shas Party as its spiritual guide.   In recent days, the Rav’s condition deteriorated, since being admitted to Hadassah Ein Kerem, Yerushalayim, with an infection in his leg.

Following the publication of “New Council Maps Threaten Our Electoral Gains,” by Sergey Kadinsky in our July 21 issue, consistent efforts have been made by the community to ensure that the Redistricting Commission keeps the 24^th Council District united. Council Member James F. Gennaro, whose district is being broken apart, opened a Thursday evening, August 11, discussion standing alongside his Chief of Staff Henry Yam and his District Director and Jewish Community liaison Adam Suionov: “Tonight is about your concerns, not mine.”

The Queens Jewish Link, represented by co-publisher Yaakov Serle and me, were amongst a contingent that solemnly surveyed the devastating damage at Bais Yosef D’Ulem in Kew Gardens Hills this past Tuesday afternoon, August 9, in the aftermath of the blaze that destroyed both the shul and home of Rabbi and Rebbetzin Yaakov Yitzchak Friedman. The group met in the main beis midrash amidst the ruins. There was a sense of urgency, as those present watched a cohesive reconstruction effort already well underway. The officials discussed the heartbreaking loss and the extensive efforts involved in bringing the facility back to full function. One attendee noted, “Normally, I would fear standing amongst dangling electrical wires, but amongst colleagues and friends, I am quite comfortable.”

Chaverim of Queens celebrated 15 years of service to the Queens community at their annual summer barbecue held Wednesday evening, August 3, at the Love residence in Richmond Hill. The program brought together members, elected officials, donors, and friends of the noted organization that responds to non-medical emergencies.