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The Young Israel of Jamaica Estates continued its tradition of making Thanksgiving special for those less fortunate. This past Sunday’s Family Mitzvah Morning, 60 Thanksgiving centerpiece packages were made for the Queens Commonpoint Thanksgiving deliveries. Special thanks to Ruthie and Charles Merrill for sponsoring to show gratitude to the YIJE community.

On November 11 and 12, Shabbat Parshat Vayera, the HANC High School freshmen and sophomore girls had the opportunity to spend Shabbat together in West Hempstead. The Shabbat was filled with Torah learning, ruach, bonding, good food, laughter, and much more!

When describing the miracle of Chanukah, the Talmud in Maseches Shabbos, speaks primarily of the miraculous oil that burned for eight days. The Talmud does not make mention of what most would consider a more significant miracle, the military and spiritual victory of the Chashmona’im. They not only defeated the mighty Syrian-Greek Empire, but they restored a Torah way of life for thousands of Jews who had assimilated into Greek culture and society. The obvious question to be asked is: Why are our Sages choosing to highlight the miracle of the oil over the miraculous military victory? Why all the emphasis on the oil miracle?

We are all looking forward with great anticipation to the annual Erna Lindenfeld Hachnasas Kallah Tea to be held on Monday evening, December 5, at 7:30 p.m. The Tea has been a Queens hallmark event for decades, providing our community with the opportunity to give tz’dakah to a most worthy local cause, while enjoying incredible entertainment and amazing raffle prizes.

CQJCC, Central Queens Jewish Community Circle, started by Rebbetzin Mushky Mendelson, is distributing 100 Thanksgiving-themed Shabbos gift packages to local community members residing in Forest Hills and Rego Park. This effort goes hand-in-hand with the organization’s mission of reaching out to vulnerable or lonely neighbors with love. To get involved, visit www.cqjcc.org.

In the Gemara (Bava M’tzia 59a), we learn that since the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash, the gates of t’filah have been closed. However, our Sages teach us that the power of t’filah from the heart combined together with a complete trust in Hashem and awareness that He is the One in control of the world, can break through all the gates of Heaven and there is nothing that can stand in its way. There is nothing stronger than prayer from closeness and love of Hashem; it breaks all barriers and can change what has been decreed.