Local

The Queens Jewish Link, represented by co-publisher Yaakov Serle and me, were amongst a contingent that solemnly surveyed the devastating damage at Bais Yosef D’Ulem in Kew Gardens Hills this past Tuesday afternoon, August 9, in the aftermath of the blaze that destroyed both the shul and home of Rabbi and Rebbetzin Yaakov Yitzchak Friedman. The group met in the main beis midrash amidst the ruins. There was a sense of urgency, as those present watched a cohesive reconstruction effort already well underway. The officials discussed the heartbreaking loss and the extensive efforts involved in bringing the facility back to full function. One attendee noted, “Normally, I would fear standing amongst dangling electrical wires, but amongst colleagues and friends, I am quite comfortable.”

Chaverim of Queens celebrated 15 years of service to the Queens community at their annual summer barbecue held Wednesday evening, August 3, at the Love residence in Richmond Hill. The program brought together members, elected officials, donors, and friends of the noted organization that responds to non-medical emergencies.

Sunday, August 14, was Celebrate Israel Day at Citi Field for a matchup of the New York Mets against the Philadelphia Phillies. The program supported the Soroka Medical Center based in Be’er Sheva, the sole medical destination for the southern point of the country. Sitting just 20 miles from Gaza, the medical center has been dubbed Israel’s Medical Iron Dome. The Frances and Nathan Kirsch Emergency Department and Trauma Unit is the busiest in Israel. Due to Operation Breaking Down, the center has relocated vulnerable units like the neonatal intensive care unit.

Rabbi Daniel Pollack and Avraham Pinkhasov Honored

Tuesday, August 2, was a beautiful day in Queens and most apropos for local Precinct Community Councils to host their National Night Out Against Crime events. True public safety requires a positive police-community relationship, and that was the name of the game across Queens. The family-focused activities are a great way to strengthen the relationship between communities and their local officers in the New York Police Department.

Following the publication of “New Council Maps Threaten Our Electoral Gains,” by Sergey Kadinsky in our July 21 issue, consistent efforts have been made by the community to ensure that the Redistricting Commission keeps the 24^th Council District united. Council Member James F. Gennaro, whose district is being broken apart, opened a Thursday evening, August 11, discussion standing alongside his Chief of Staff Henry Yam and his District Director and Jewish Community liaison Adam Suionov: “Tonight is about your concerns, not mine.”

Being involved in an auto collision can be a terrifying ordeal that no one should ever experience. But the reality is that many of us are forced to deal with mending the dings, and restoring our cars, vans, and trucks to their former glory. But who wants to deal with the chaos after a smash? The answer is simple: WreckItNYC Autobody Shop.