Shabsie Saphirstein

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.

On Election Day, November 8, 2022, New Yorkers voted to adopt all three ballot proposals putting racial equity at the center of New York City’s government. Pesach Osina, an outspoken Far Rockaway resident and former New York City Council candidate, has shined in his current role as a Senior Community Liaison to Adrienne Adams, the Council’s Speaker. Last week, Osina was assigned a commissioners role representing Queens County on the Commission on Racial Equity (CORE). Pesach has constantly demonstrated exemplary leadership qualities throughout his career in Public Service, as his experience in government has included the roles of community liaisons for members of the New York State Assembly, New York City Council, Queens Borough Director for the New York City Comptroller’s office, and most recently to the Speaker. 

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

Queens has a lot to be proud of; it is home to many leading organizations that guide the Torah world. Rabbi Zvi Y. Gluck is one of our humble neighbors who is always ready to lend a helping hand. As CEO of Amudim, Zvi has become a lifeline to Jewish communities worldwide.

The Israel Heritage Foundation honored Israeli Police Inspector Mali Shoshana on Monday evening, May 6, with a special dinner at Prime Bistro in Lawrence, New York. Superintendent Shoshana is the commander of the Volunteer Division in the Lachish region.

On Thursday, April 4, the Queens Jewish Link ran an ad expressing appreciation to Congress Member Grace Meng for being a steadfast supporter of the Jewish People and the State of Israel, in spite of near daily antagonization from pro-Palestinian forces at her place of work and residence. Community members led by Rabbi Yaniv Meirov, CEO of Chazaq, signed the ad on behalf of the Queens Jewish community. They included our co-publishers Yaakov Serle and Naftali Szrolovits, David Berger, Aaron Cyperstein, Nechemia Hoch, Sorolle Idels, Aaron Laub, Meshulam Lisker, Jennifer Martin, David Mordukhaev, Pesach Osina, Shimi Pelman, Alan Sherman, Linda Spiegel, and me.