News

Last week, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America (Orthodox Union), the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization, applauded President Biden’s anticipated nomination of Holocaust historian and author Deborah Lipstadt to the State Department’s position of special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism.

Shimi Pelman is well known for his innovative and pioneering efforts in the healthcare industry. Mr. Pelman’s acumen and philanthropic efforts shine in his role as president of Tomchei Shabbos of Queens, where he has humbly been a leading force feeding the community’s hungry long before the concept was popular. Mr. Pelman is also widely recognized throughout New York City for his vast array of political connections, largely due to maintaining the male district leader seat in for the 27^th Assembly District in Queens where Assembly Member Daniel Rosenthal proudly reigns.

NCSY, the flagship youth movement of the Orthodox Union (OU), has named Rabbi Gideon Black as the new chief executive officer of its New York Region. Rabbi Black succeeds Rina Emerson following her appointment as NCSY’s national chief operating officer.

David HaMelech teaches us in T’hilim (32:10), “The one who trusts in Hashem, kindness will surround him.” If you put your trust in Hashem, He will shower you with kindness. Chazal assure us that Hashem grants special protection, mercy, and kindness to those that put their absolute trust in Him.  Rabbeinu Bachya ben Asher (1255-1340), in Kad HaKemach, wrote: “One who trusts in Gd, he is rewarded by being carried high above affliction – even when it is befitting for such affliction to befall him.”

The Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV) took renewed aim at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Tuesday, after the ADL announced a partnership with Hillel International, the Jewish college organization, to document antisemitism on American campuses. While such an effort is noble and worthwhile, the ADL, the CJV points out, demonstrated that it lacks the moral clarity to properly identify anti-Semitism, let alone combat it. An ADL spokesperson, describing the new initiative, wrongly claimed that “Anti-Israel activism in and of itself is not antisemitism” and that they would need to “carefully evaluate” student government resolutions supporting BDS – the international Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement – that seeks to destroy the State of Israel.

Rabbi-turned-comedian was an outspoken supporter of Israel
with what a friend called a Talmudic outlook on life – and had a Queens connection too

Jackie Mason, the rabbi-turned-comedian whose feisty brand of standup comedy led him to Catskills nightclubs, West Coast talk shows and Broadway stages, died Saturday. He was 93.