Community Corner

On May 3, 2026, Yeshiva University hosted Antisemitism in the United States Today: Current Social Science Research, a landmark, allday conference that brought together some of the nation’s most influential scholars to confront contemporary antisemitism through a social science lens. Cosponsored by YU’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work and the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, the conference set a new standard in the effort to tackle antisemitism, directly addressing urgent challenges such as online bigotry and bias on college campuses.

Hundreds of people of all faiths gathered Sunday, May 10, in Yellowstone Park to stand united against antisemitism following a disturbing wave of swastika graffiti and anti-Jewish vandalism targeting synagogues, homes, and community institutions throughout Forest Hills and Rego Park.

Queens College President Frank H. Wu will preside over the school’s 102^nd commencement exercises on Thursday, May 28, at 9 a.m. on the campus quadrangle. Over 4,000 degree candidates will be recognized, with the college awarding approximately 4,300 undergraduate and graduate degrees to an estimated audience of 7,000 ticketholders.

Professional purpose met spiritual growth when Emet’s jHealth and jBiz programs each hosted its own Shabbaton on two consecutive weekends. Held in Clifton, New Jersey, the jHealth Shabbaton brought together 30 students from Queens College, Adelphi University, and NYIT, along with a cross-campus cohort that meets at the Emet Center. The jBiz Shabbaton welcomed 15 Baruch College students to the Passaic home of Rabbi Reuven and Mrs. Devorah Kigel.

At the time of Matan Torah on Shavuos, klal Yisrael stood together at Har Sinai “k’ish echad b’leiv echad” – like one person with one heart. Before giving the Torah, Hashem brought the entire nation into perfect unity, teaching us that the Torah is only given when every Jew is present, every voice matters, and every individual has a unique place within klal Yisrael.

For many in Kew Gardens Hills, Albany can feel far removed from the daily concerns of Queens families, yeshivah parents, and local community leaders. But earlier this month, community activist Sam Verstandig helped close that gap by bringing a delegation of local residents—including community members Daniel Winchester and Moishe Rechester—directly into the halls where New York State policy is shaped. Verstandig, a member of the JCRC-NY Blumberg Fellowship 2026 Cohort, organized an advocacy trip to Albany in coordination with Agudath Israel of America as part of his fellowship’s community leadership initiative. The goal was straightforward: give everyday community members the opportunity to witness government in action and engage directly with lawmakers on issues affecting the Orthodox Jewish community.