Shabsie Saphirstein

On June 16, the Kew Gardens Synagogue social hall filled with mindful area residents for a symposium with leading New York Police Department brass entitled, Dialogue with the NYPD on Antisemitism in Our Community. Rabbi Daniel Pollack, Clergy Liaison for the 102nd Pct., moderated the discussion, which included insights of daily ongoings conducted on behalf of Queens and more broadly New York Jewry from the distinguished panelists. The noted speakers were Assistant Chief Kevin Williams, Commanding Officer of Patrol Boro Queens South; Deputy Chief Richie Taylor, Commanding Officer of NYPD Community Affairs Outreach Division; Deputy Inspector Jeremy Kivlin, Commanding Officer of 102 Precinct; and Sergeant Jesse Ankele alongside an attorney from NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force. As guests entered, Mark Davidovitch, a neighborhood Queens Shmira member, joined NYPD officers in providing public safety.

Jewish boys and girls enjoyed a grand Lag BaOmer parade and party this past Sunday afternoon, May 26, in Forest Hills. Together with Community Affairs Police Officer Keith Tuohey, and NYPD officers of the 112^th precinct, I led a procession on behalf of Queens Shmira, where Jewish youth marched from the P.S. 175 playground by Yellowstone Boulevard and 65^th Avenue and traveled towards 108^th Street, and then to 66^th Avenue, where we entered the yard outside the Queens Jewish Center for an interactive program that included exciting raffles. Queens shoppers are keenly aware of Chabad yeshivah bachurim who visit the business districts each Friday passing out parshah inspiration and offering men the opportunity to partake in the mitzvah of tefilin. A group of these men led the Forest Hills march to further connect with the families they meet weekly.

Yeshiva Tiferes Moshe held its 67^th Annual Dinner on Wednesday, May 22, at Da Mikele Illagio in Elmhurst, Queens. The program paid tribute to Harbatzas HaTorah Awardees Rabbi & Mrs. Zev Davidowitz; Kesser Shem Tov Awardees Mr. & Mrs. Shmulie Diamantstein; and Parents of the Year Awardees Dr. & Mrs. Adam Cohen. A special, poignant memorial tribute was accepted by the family of Mr. Harvey Brodsky z”l, the Yeshiva’s longtime, famed English language educator.

The dead end at 147th Street just off 72nd Road in Kew Gardens Hills filled with spirited Lag BaOmer song and dance this past Sunday evening, May 26, for Hashevaynu’s hilulah and bonfire. Rabbi Yehuda and Rebbetzin Adina Zakutinsky selflessly lead the neighborhood shul and outreach center, where its imbued atmosphere of achdus provides a unique space in the world of kiruv. Like the shul’s expansive membership, the Sunday evening entertainment also eclipsed previous participation, exemplifying the communal desire for family-oriented programming.

Judge Wendy Li explained that a vote for her is a vote for an impartial and independent judge poised to be effective at Queens County’s Surrogate’s Court.

DJ Avraham Productions ushered in the Lag BaOmer energy for a wide mix of Kew Gardens Hills’ Jewish community at the Motzaei Shabbos bonfire hosted in the courtyard of TOV Bet Midrash on 68th Drive and 147th Street. Rabbi Menashe Tzadka, mara d’asra, kept a feverish ruach going all night long by continuously exhibiting tremendous simchah amongst all ages and demographics of his mispallelim as the fire burned bright in the night's sky. As the only community-wide hilulah in the area that night, a larger than usual crowd partook in the celebration. I was joined by fellow Queens Shmira members to provide street closures at Main Street and 147th Street as well as site security. A tasty seudas melaveh malkah catered by Meal Mart on Main Street was provided after the outdoor dancing concluded