A New Queens Holocaust Memorial Garden
Dear Editor:
On Monday, November 24, at 12:00 p.m., New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, and the Queens Jewish Community Council will gather for the groundbreaking of the Queens Holocaust Memorial Garden, to be built on the southeast lawn of Queens Borough Hall at 120-55 Queens Boulevard.
This project arrives at a time when antisemitism continues to grow and unrest is felt across communities throughout New York. The establishment of a Holocaust Memorial Garden on public property in Queens sends a powerful message: that our city stands committed to remembrance and moral clarity. It affirms that the people of Queens and all New Yorkers will never forget the atrocities committed against the Jewish people, nor will we tolerate any form of hatred or prejudice against our neighbors.
The Memorial Garden will serve as a lasting monument to New York City’s commitment to ensuring that such inhumanity is never repeated — not here, not anywhere. It will stand as a beacon reminding us of the lives stolen, the families shattered, and the resilience of klal Yisrael, while inspiring future generations toward compassion and justice.
We encourage the community to attend the groundbreaking and take part in this solemn and hopeful moment. For additional information, Michael Nussbaum, Chairman of the Queens Holocaust Memorial Garden, can be reached at 917-783-0649, and QJCC Executive Director Rabbi Mayer Waxman can be reached at 718-544-9033.
Sincerely,
Shabsie Saphirstein
Kew Gardens Hills
Your Reporter
Dear Editor:
It’s your trusty sports writer reporting. True, it’s three weeks post–World Series, and we already know who won. Much to my grandson’s chagrin, I became a Los Angeles Dodger fan. In fact, the only game I watched was Game 7 — but what a game! I only watch the last and most important games of the season, like the Super Bowl. The other 162 games of the baseball season are of little consequence. Besides, I’m wondering whether the $325 million ace, Yamamoto, could use an ESL tutor.
Now, shifting gears and becoming an international political reporter: Obviously, the Royal Family is not big on reading sefer B’raishis. If they had been, Queen Elizabeth would not have doted on Andrew, and she would have learned a lesson or two from Yaakov about having favorites. In fact, each child is unique and, depending on the occasion, can be helpful in some way. For example, one kid can help you with finances, one with your cellphone, and one with your tax matters. I’ve left out other important issues like cooking and shopping. In other words, remember that all of your kids are your favorites.
Now, I shift gears to being your finance reporter. Forget about redoing your kitchen or bathroom. The person who buys your house will either raze it or turn it into a ten-family rental. Save your money for your apartment in Florida, in Israel, or for long-term insurance. If I had the guts, I’d save my money by getting rid of Netflix or any other streaming device — but that’s my advice to you, not to myself.
Debbie Horowitz
Party Above Principles
Dear Editor:
In Moshe Hill’s recent piece, “Brace for Impact,” he claims “it was not the fault of Curtis Sliwa” that Mamdani won, since Cuomo’s and Sliwa’s total number of votes fell short of Mamdani’s. There are problems with this analysis. The totals were less than two points apart. However, it easily could have gone the other way, clearly making Sliwa the spoiler. During the campaign, campaign appearances, and debates, Sliwa constantly criticized Cuomo, hardly laying a finger on Mamdani, compounding Sliwa’s role as a spoiler.
There was no way of knowing during the campaign whether Sliwa would indeed be the one who caused a Mamdani win. In none of his previous articles did Hill suggest that Sliwa, a subpar Republican candidate, drop out of the race to help avoid a Mamdani win. Hill is a Republican hack; he was willing to risk a Mamdani victory, which would (will) destroy NYC, instead of suggesting that the Republican candidate leave the race. Partisan politics at its worst.
Sincerely,
Arlene Ross
Forest Hills
Tribute To Rabbi Dr. Alvin Kass
Dear Editor:
To be selected as a chaplain for the New York City Police Department, in itself, is an honor and privilege. To reach the rank of Chief Chaplain is a recognition of a superlative individual who has the ability to navigate complex challenges and be respected by all within and outside the Department.
To be blessed with an historic, unprecedented six decades of spiritual leadership is a testimony to the success, honor, respect, endurance, and achievement of Rabbi Dr. Alvin Kass.
Rabbi Kass, of blessed memory, established by his deeds and humbleness the standards and requirements of “the presence of being” among the members of the NYPD and their families. As a member of the priestly kohen family, he truly personified the mission of a chaplain. A descendant of Aharon HaKohen, who was the first chaplain to be with the troops in times of war during the Exodus from Egypt, Rabbi Kass was also always with the officers in times of grief and joy.
The motto written on top of the Holy Ark in most synagogues states:
“Know before whom you are standing.”
It is a reminder to those who attend services to realize that they are in the presence of G-d and therefore act accordingly.
It can also be a reminder to the rabbi to personally know each member of the synagogue in order to effectively develop a deep and beloved relationship with each congregant. That was the special bond between Rabbi Kass and his beloved police congregation.
May his memory be a blessing and a role model for all who aspire to enter this exclusive calling.
Rabbi Tzvi Berkowitz
Chaplain
National Conference of Shomrim Societies
On David Hirsch’s Letter
Dear Editor:
David Hirsch’s letter headed “What Next [After the Election]” was inspired. Vast extents of contiguous neighborhoods and communities outside Manhattan are now openly targeted by the New York chapter of the Muslim Brotherhood. In essence, he advocates taking steps to challenge the 1898 New York City Charter and secede from the city. Indeed, the reasons the boroughs joined the city in the first place are invalidated when the most essential services and protections will be redirected to other ideologically favored groups.
It may be legally impossible to accomplish this in a timely manner — or accomplish it by force, through Presidential action, as Hirsch suggests — but legal procedures and maneuvers may mitigate the impact. A large increase in gated and private communities will control security and services. Along with that can be a forceful, persistent, vigorous lawfare campaign to stall and freeze payment of taxes to New York City to recover the costs of those services and thus starve the Mamdani Administration’s redistribution agenda.
Chaim Rubin
