In a heartwarming display of gratitude, several community organizations joined forces this Thanksgiving to provide complete holiday meals to local law enforcement agencies. Representing Chaverim of Queens and Great Neck, I had the privilege of spending Thanksgiving evening delivering these meals to numerous police precincts, including Highway Patrol Unit 3 in Cunningham Park on the Grand Central Parkway, the 102nd Precinct in Kew Gardens, the 107th Precinct in Kew Gardens Hills, and the 112th Precinct in Forest Hills.
Another dedicated volunteer extended this gesture to the US Customs and Border Protection team stationed at Terminal 4 of John F. Kennedy International Airport, where flights to Israel often depart. Meals were also delivered to the Port Authority Police Departments at both JFK and LaGuardia International Airports.
Efforts didn’t stop there. Morning and evening deliveries were made to court personnel across multiple boroughs, including the courthouses on Schermerhorn Street in Brooklyn, Centre Street in Manhattan, and Queens Boulevard in Queens.
This extensive program was expertly coordinated by Hatzolah of Queens and Great Neck, alongside Amudim, with CEO Rabbi Zvi Gluck – who also serves as a Police Chaplain, and a Clergy Liaison with the NYPD’s Patrol Borough Queens South – at the helm. Special recognition goes to David Kushner, Amudim’s Director of Government Relations and Special Projects, for transporting these meals from the Inwood-based caterer to me at the West Hempstead home of Mickey and Betty Aboff.
This initiative exemplifies the spirit of Thanksgiving by honoring those who dedicate their lives to keeping our communities safe. Such acts of kindness not only nourish but also reinforce the vital connection between residents and law enforcement, highlighting the power of gratitude and collaboration during the holiday season.
By Shabsie Saphirstein
