Community Corner

Across the landscape of New York City and its suburbs, Jewish names appear on streets, parks, schools, and other points on the map. We often expect such names to appear in visibly Jewish neighborhoods, honoring rabbis, politicians, and activists. But as Brad Kolodny notes in his research, much of Long Island’s early Jewish history began further to the east. He is the founder of the Jewish Historical Society of Long Island, which highlighted Hartmann’s Pond in Amityville as one such example.

Prior to becoming the first president elected on the Republican ticket, Abraham Lincoln experienced multiple defeats in his runs for state and federal office. Closer to home and in the present day, Brooklyn Councilman Ari Kagan’s road to City Hall was also marked by defeats until his election last year in the district covering Coney Island, Gravesend, and Bath Beach. His decision this week to switch parties, and run for reelection as a Republican, surprised party insiders, but it also reflected recent trends among voters across the city.

The completion of the Kew Gardens Interchange reconstruction - a $739 million project that tied up traffic in Kew Gardens Hills, Briarwood, Kew Gardens, and Forest Hills for the past decade - was declared this week by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

In contrast to the five boroughs, most of the emergency needs in West Hempstead are handled by volunteers, highly trained and dedicated, but unpaid, members of the community. This past Sunday, the Chabad of West Hempstead hosted an event at Echo Park to thank members of the local Hatzalah, Community Security Service, fire departments, and police.

Following divisive redistricting proposals that led to lawsuits and do-overs for City Council, State Senate, and Congressional districts, a bipartisan panel announced new State Assembly lines this past week that will come into effect ahead of the 2024 elections.

This week, President Joe Biden led a White House tradition dating back to the Truman administration but rumored to have originated at Lincoln’s holiday meal. “First of all, the votes are in. They’ve been counted and verified. There’s no ballot stuffing,” he quipped, standing over two fortunate turkeys. “There’s no “fowl” play. The only red wave this season is going to be if a German shepherd, Commander, knocks over the cranberry sauce on our table.”