Community Corner

Before the suburban boom, Jews on Long Island operated small shops, worked on farms and in factories, and built the foundation for what would later be the nation’s largest suburban Jewish population. Last week, Plainview resident Brad Kolodny released his new book, The Jews of Long Island: 1705-1918, which documents the history of the first Jewish settlers on Long Island.

He entered office at a young age, and after 17 years in Albany, Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi, 48, is hoping that the seniority of those years will be recognized by voters for the clout that it brings.

“We are here. We are in Kyiv. We are defending Ukraine,” were the bold words of Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky this past Shabbos in a recorded video where he stood alongside his leading ministers.

The leading political lights were shining at the Chazaq legislative dinner that honored elected officials for their support of the organization and the Jewish community. “Wisdom begins in the mind and generous wisdom engulfs the heart,” said Rabbi Doniel Lander in welcoming the honored guests. “It is accompanied by a touch of compassion and a dose of sensitivity.”

Political redemption on Long Island is the story of losses and comebacks. With four-term Rep. Kathleen Rice stepping down at the end of the year, former Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen, 52, announced her run for the Fourth Congressional District last week. “The people of this town know me. I’m a moderate Democrat who will deliver for the residents,” she said.

Giving a local focus to the security fears of the Jewish community, Ethan Felder, 36, was among the organizers of last May’s rally against anti-Semitism at MacDonald Park in Forest Hills. Now he is running for the State Assembly, seeking to amplify such concerns amid an uptick of hate incidents. “I don’t hide the fact that I’m Jewish. We are seeing rising anti-Semitism on the left and it needs to be called out,” he said.