Shabsie Saphirstein

In recent weeks, the Queens Jewish Link has begun a strong Brooklyn distribution, sharing our material with over 1000 Brooklynites in the Flatbush and Borough Park neighborhoods. To that end, I gladly accepted Shea Rubenstein’s invitation to represent the Queens Jewish community at the 15^th annual Jewish Community Council of Marine Park (JCCMP) legislative breakfast, where he is Executive Director. Held at Kingsway Jewish Center on Sunday, June 11, the gathering was well attended, attracting easily 250 community leaders and elected officials.

On a Wednesday evening in June, I experienced the world quite differently, as I joined SINAI@YCQ students at their art show and saw life through their very own eyes. Each and every masterpiece showcased their unique individuality and intellect at the exhibit detailing the students’ very own handmade creations. I had previously written on SINAI’s cutting-edge special education work locally; however, this was my first opportunity to see the fruits of their labor.

The Yehuda and Shomron has once again become the contentious topic of the day, with a terrorist attack and unwarranted Jewish vigilante reactions. Recently, the Biden Administration’s resumption of the research boycott of Judea and Samaria, an Obama-era policy, became apparent when an Ariel University grant request for funds for a research, development, and scientific project beyond the Green Line was denied.

“Am Yisrael chai” is an oft-used slogan, but it was quite befitting for the 58th annual JCRC-NY Celebrate Israel Parade held this past Sunday along Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, as group after group chanted its familiar tune. 

Communal unity was on full display just before 10 p.m. on Wednesday evening, June 14, at the Beth Gavriel Bukharian Jewish Congregation and Community Center when history was made and a whopping $9,338,530 was raised as construction on the new citadel of Torah in Forest Hills enters its final stages. Reaching 116% of the fundraiser original $8 million goal, kudos was extended by Rav Emanuel Shimonov, mara d’atra; Rav Ilan Meirov, mara d’atra of the youth minyan; and Rav Tomer Zion, mara d’atra of the netz minyan, to the Alishaev and Koptiev families for matching every donation raised.

Late in the evening on Thursday, June 1, a Queens Borough Safety Patrol-Shmira member noticed swastikas and extremely hurtful wording praising Nazis drawn on a New York City traffic signal box. The New York Police Department's 112th precinct was immediately informed, and a swift response included an onsite visit from their Executive Officer.