Local

Days after Forest Hills and Rego Park were shaken by images of multiple swastikas sprayed at Jewish institutions, private residences, and a vehicle, Queens was confronted with another disturbing discovery: 11 swastikas spray-painted across Highland Park and Forest Park.

What began as a distressing alert to the Queens Shmira hotline quickly transformed into a day defined by tireless coordination and a profound sense of communal responsibility. On Monday morning, May 4, the streets of Forest Hills and Rego Park were marred by the discovery of swastikas and hateful graffiti. The vandalism appeared with alarming frequency on Jewish institutions, private family homes, a personal vehicle, and even a site connected to a pre-K daycare.

On Tuesday evening, April 28, members of the Queens Torah community gathered in Kew Gardens Hills for the annual reception on behalf of Yeshiva Beth Abraham Slonim of Jerusalem and its affiliated institutions of Torah and chesed. The evening, hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Kopelowitz, featured distinguished guest speaker HaRav HaGaon Pinchas Eliezer HaKohen Shlaf shlita, Rosh HaKolel for Choshen Mishpat and son-in-law of the Slonimer Rebbe shlita.

The 20^th Anniversary Speaker Appreciation Dinner for TorahAnytime, held on Sunday evening, April 19, felt less like a formal corporate milestone and more like a massive family reunion. For two decades, this organization has worked to bring Torah to millions of Jews across the globe, and the atmosphere in the room reflected the weight of that mission.

As Shavuot approaches, Yeshiva Tiferet Tzion has embraced these weeks as a true Month of Chizuk—a time for the talmidim to strengthen their connection to Torah, to gedolei Yisrael, and to one another. Under the leadership of Rabbi Moshe Aharonov, menahel of the yeshivah, the past several weeks have been filled with meaningful programming and uplifting visits that helped prepare the boys for kabbalat haTorah with renewed commitment and joy.

On Thursday night, April 16, community leaders and school administrators gathered at the Young Israel of Hillcrest for a State Resource Workshop. The meeting addressed a primary concern for the local community: how to better protect non-public schools and religious institutions. Hosted by Assemblymembers Nily Rozic and Sam Berger, the event brought together state agencies and Jewish organizations to discuss practical security tools. The objective was to provide attendees with a clear understanding of the grant programs and safety resources available to their institutions.