Local

Following the international uproar stemming from the Queens College Megaphone Maniac, local legislators stood up for the values of the Jewish community with a strong presence. On Tuesday morning, September 20, a steady stream of elected officials lined the corner of Melbourne Avenue and Kissena Boulevard, just outside of the Queens College Student Union building in Kew Gardens Hills, to decry anti-Semitism and introduce legislation that aims to identify and track hate on college campuses statewide. The bill, sponsored by local Assemblyman Daniel Rosenthal and State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, is a valiant effort to recognize Queens College’s 4,000 Jewish students – the eighth largest Jewish campus population in the nation and the largely religious neighborhood that the college calls home.

Yom Tov preparations were in full swing this past Tuesday afternoon at the Lev Aharon Community Food Pantry in Kew Gardens Hills, operated as a joint venture between Met Council and Chazaq. The distribution was historic in that it welcomed New York City’s Comptroller Brad Lander and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams to the Queens neighborhood for their first visits. Often represented by their Jewish liaisons Pinny Hikind and Simon Sebag, respectively, this circulation allowed their reps to join legislators ahead of Rosh HaShanah.

The Israel Heritage Foundation has made a distinct name for itself in the Conservative sphere. This past Sunday evening, September 18, in celebration of Rosh HaShanah, the organization once again invited former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, an expected presidential candidate in 2024, for a VIP reception at Mike’s Bistro in Manhattan.

A sizeable showing of volunteers participated in the annual Tomchei Shabbos of Queens (TSQ) volunteer appreciation night held on Monday, August 22. This year, due to recent orders filling up their warehouse, TSQ held the event in the Simchah Hall at the Bais Yaakov Academy of Queens in Kew Gardens. The program included an inspiring lecture by noted orator Rabbi YY Rubenstein, a remarkable performance by seasoned juggling professional Michael Karas (@nycjuggler), table magic by Yoel Spielman, and of course included an array of delectable fleishig options, along with copious amounts of tasty sushi.

When a once-hopeful applicant to CUNY’s Queens College was denied acceptance, he opted to stand outside of the campus’ main gate with a megaphone in hand to amplify his racist, anti-Semitic, anti-Christian, and anti-Islamic statements. “These statements are contrary to our shared ideals and cause damage to our community,” wrote Chief Diversity Officer and Dean of Diversity Jerima DeWese in a campus email on 9/1 at 4:50 p.m., following an international media upheaval that began with a call for help.

The public came out in droves to Cunningham Park this past Wednesday night, August 24, for the annual Queens Jewish Community Council (QJCC) concert at the park. One thousand is a conservative estimate of the number of attendees at Jewish Music Under the Stars, featuring international singing sensation Avi Peretz.