Shabsie Saphirstein

In a politically charged evening in Kew Gardens Hills, the Queens Jewish Alliance hosted former Governor and mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo on Monday night for a powerful address to community leaders and activists. The event, held in the home of Shimmy and Sorolle Idels, reflected both deep concern and high hopes from the Jewish community regarding the city’s future.

Keeping our community safe and respectful takes vigilance and swift action. On Tuesday evening, May 12, members of Queens Shmira discovered a troubling sight during their routine patrol in Kew Gardens Hills. Stop signs in the vicinity of 72^nd Road and Vleigh Place had been defaced with stickers bearing the word “Genocide.” Without hesitation, the patrol team took immediate action to remove the stickers.

On a night infused with conviction, heartbreak, and unity, Mayor Eric Adams hosted a powerful roundtable discussion alongside Dr. Phil McGraw and dozens of Jewish leaders, community activists, Holocaust survivors, and young advocates to address the surge of antisemitism in New York City and across the globe. Held at Manhattan’s Tribeca Synagogue on short notice, the event marked a watershed moment: the official signing of an executive order adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism across all New York City agencies.

In a major victory against organized crime, the Queens District Attorney’s Office, in collaboration with the NYPD and New York State Police, has dismantled one of the most sophisticated vehicle theft rings in New York City history. Dubbed “Operation Hellcat,” this three-year investigation led to the indictment of 20 individuals accused of stealing 126 cars valued at more than $4.6 million.

On Sunday morning, May 18, the stunning Cipriani 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan set the stage for Met Council’s Annual Legislative Breakfast. In a venue known for hosting the most elegant affairs in the city, hundreds of leaders from across government, law, and communal service came together to celebrate the mission of Met Council: providing dignity, stability, and support to over 325,000 New Yorkers annually. From the heart of Midtown, this event radiated a bold reminder that fighting poverty is not a partisan issue — it’s a moral obligation.

Queens College marked a significant milestone on Sunday, May 12, as President Frank Wu joined a reception celebrating this year’s Jewish Studies graduates. Organized by Arnold Franklin, Director of Jewish Studies, the event honored students' achievements and gave them a chance to reflect on their academic journeys. President Wu’s presence underscored his support for the Jewish Studies program and the broader Jewish community at Queens College.