Local

Rozic’s $350K NYS Grant Makes It Possible; YIH Ceremony Celebration Held At YIH

 On a bright and sunny Tuesday morning, April 22, leaders of Hatzolah of Queens & Great Neck gathered outside the Young Israel of Hillcrest to announce a $350,000 New York State grant, secured by Assemblymember Nily Rozic, for a new ambulance to serve the Queens region.

A tribute to the cartoonist whose sharp pen and wit captured the heart of the Jewish experience for generations

Israeli cartoonist Yaakov Kirschen, creator of the iconic “Dry Bones” comic strip, passed away on April 14, 2025, at Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba after a prolonged illness. He was 87 years old. His pen offered a lens into the soul of the Jewish people, chronicling five decades of history, satire, and identity through a single, unmistakable style.

On Pesach, Chabad of Briarwood brought together hundreds of local families for a Yom Tov filled with joy, meaning, and unity. Led by Rabbi Dovi and Rebbetzin Chani Steinmetz, the neighborhood celebrated as one community, a theme reflected in every program and act of kindness.

The Queens Jewish Community Council (QJCC) marked its 56th Anniversary Gala on March 20 at Da Mikele Illagio in Elmhurst. The evening, attended by a packed room of elected officials, community leaders, and advocates, celebrated the strength of Jewish life in Queens and honored two outstanding individuals: Dr. Ben Golub and Leo Jacobs, Esq.

In a move that has stirred debate across energy, environmental, and political sectors, the U.S. Department of the Interior has halted construction on Empire Wind 1—an offshore wind project expected to supply electricity to over 500,000 New York City homes, including many in Queens. Developed by Equinor and long promoted as a key component of the city’s clean energy future, the project is now under federal review, with officials citing a rushed and incomplete approval process.

Amid heightened concerns over security and rising antisemitism, leaders from Queens’ Jewish communities gathered at One Police Plaza on Wednesday, April 2, for the NYPD’s Annual Pre-Passover Security Briefing. The event demonstrated the city’s strong commitment to safeguarding Jewish residents during the upcoming Yom Tov of Pesach.