Shabsie Saphirstein

The old World’s Fair grounds at Flushing Meadows Corona Park stands as one of the greatest homages to unity and universal imagination, so much so that our publication has incorporated the iconic Unisphere into our logo. Conceived under the theme of Peace Through Understanding, the globe was in the shadow of a brutal hate attack last month.

Rego Park and Forest Hills were the sites of two instances of anti-Semitic hate this past Monday evening, March 20. Two swastikas were found scrawled on the sidewalk and street at 9:21 p.m. in public view and reported to local elected officials by 9:45 a.m. the following morning. One of the vile drawings was found at 102nd Street near 63rd Drive in the Rego Park section of Queens at Stephen A. Halsey JHS 157, and the second was found etched into a Forest Hills walkway at 110-11 Queens Boulevard. By the afternoon, the markings had been erased.

The annual Passover food distribution hosted by the Chazaq Organization and Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty was successfully held this past Tuesday, March 21, at the Lev Aharon Community Food Pantry on 72^nd Avenue in Kew Gardens Hills. The selfless dedication of these two organizations and their staff and volunteers brings out the best of our community as the Pesach holiday fast approaches. The distribution was once again headed by Aviv Simantov and his devoted helpers.

On Purim Day, residents at the renowned Jamaica Hills nursing and rehabilitation center were treated to a lively holiday celebration that included traditional amenities showcasing the devotion of Margaret Tietz’s staff and administration to delivering quality programming and services in an environment steeped with home-like qualities for over half a century. The lively Purim festivities and delectable seudah prepared by the talented on-site kitchen chefs embodied the spirit and foresight that Linda Spiegel, Director of Public Affairs, works to bring onto the facility’s halls daily.

Council Member Sandra Ung, Democrat, District 20, has been a breath of fresh air for the communities of Flushing, Mitchell-Linden, Murray Hill, Queensboro Hill, and the flourishing Orthodox Jewish neighborhood of Fresh Meadows. The longstanding John F. Kennedy Regular Democratic Club, serving Kew Gardens Hills, Briarwood, and Kew Gardens, hosted the Council Member as their guest speaker this past Thursday evening, March 16, at their monthly meeting.

The Jewish brethren are a united family – Ha’Shomer Achi Anochi! It is our obligation to demonstrate how we are our brothers’ keepers. This week, we continue our journey into Project Inspire’s recent convention with new insight on the organization’s lasting impact.