Local

For the Jewish world, the search for crumbs of bread in our homes, offices, and vehicles ahead of Pesach is known in the modern environ as spring cleaning. New York Assembly Member Daniel Rosenthal and New York City Council Member James Gennaro understand the intensity of these days and in an effort of easing the burdens brought an electronic waste collection event to their districts in conjunction with the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills.

Ethan Felder’s campaign for the New York Assembly in District 28 has steadily been picking up pace. The current District Leader was “humbled and honored” to address the Queens Jewish Center congregation in his hometown of Forest Hills at a recent shalosh s’udos. In his remarks, Felder passionately explained the urgency that compelled him to launch a campaign.

For Queens residents, Sunday, April 10 was branded Community Kashering Day in conjunction with the Vaad Harabonim of Queens’ (VHQ) annual pre-Pesach kashering event. This year, neighbors were invited to the Young Israel of Queens Valley to bring their utensils, dishes, cutting boards, glasses, and other kitchen instruments to be made kosher. The shul’s mara d’asra, Rav Shmuel Marcus, is President of the VHQ. “Over 100 families participated in the program,” stated Rabbi Chaim Schwartz, VHQ Executive Vice President. The program brought out all ages and ethnicities represented in the thriving Queens Jewish community. Children attended with their fathers and grandfathers, daughters with their mothers and grandmothers, newlyweds, and seniors - all for the momentous mitzvah of preparing for Pesach in the days that follow Shabbos HaGadol. The Vaad provided trained mashgichim to facilitate the kashering process.

This past summer, the Queens community was introduced to the New York Police Department Shomrim Society for the launch of their Safe Shabbat program at Hashevaynu in Kew Gardens Hills. On Thursday, March 24, members of the group hosted their highly anticipated Annual Dinner Dance and Installation of Officers. As we reconnect with friends and loved ones after over two years without large public gatherings, newly elected President Philip Weisbord greeted event goers with great pride. NYPD Chief of Department Kenneth Corey commended the NYPD Shomrim Society for their efforts in support of their Jewish membership and the city as a whole. Chief Chaplain and NYPD Shomrim Society Spiritual Director Dr. Rabbi Alvin Kass led the prayer over the event and broke bread with special guest NYC Mayor Eric Adams. The newly elected board members were honored by Mayor Adams, who administered their oath of office, and spoke passionately about fighting crime on behalf of all NYC residents.

Met Council on Jewish Poverty is widely distinguished as a foremost organization that provides nutritious meal options for underprivileged families throughout the year. During the time of the Jewish holidays, Met Council partners with various food pantries for expanded efforts. The Queens Jewish Community Council (QJCC) holds an annual Pesach distribution that supplies essential Kosher for Passover food items for local community members that can benefit from the extra assistance. These efforts go a long way in offsetting the large financial burdens that Pesach brings.

For residents of Kew Gardens Hills, seeing a line a block long on 72^nd Avenue for the Passover food distribution hosted by the Chazaq Organization and Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty is quite eye-opening. For others, the experience of seeing the charity in their neighborhood is heartwarming, but for all it is the selfless dedication of these two organizations and their staff and volunteers that brings out the best of a community on the precipice of a holiday that promotes family, progress, and renewal.