The Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), representing over 2,000 traditional, Orthodox rabbis in American public policy, sent a letter Monday renewing its call for Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) to be removed from the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee. The letter, sent to both House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), calls removal of Omar not only a matter of “moral conscience,” but also “a necessary step to quell the rising tide of anti-Semitic speech and violence now impacting Jewish communities across America.”

In Parshas B’Shalach, the Jewish people were trapped between the sea on one side and the advancing Egyptians on the other. Moshe turned to Hashem in prayer, and Hashem instructed him to raise his staff and stretch his hand over the waters to part the sea. The Jewish people then entered the sea.

The Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), representing over 2,000 traditional, Orthodox rabbis in American public policy, sent a letter Monday renewing its call for Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) to be removed from the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee. The letter, sent to both House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), calls removal of Omar not only a matter of “moral conscience,” but also “a necessary step to quell the rising tide of anti-Semitic speech and violence now impacting Jewish communities across America.”

Chazaq is proud to report that HaRav Baruch Rosenblum’s special Hebrew lecture at Congregation Tov in Flushing was a great success. A prominent Israeli rabbi and lecturer, this was Rabbi Rosenblum’s first appearance in America. The buzz around his first appearance had the community eagerly awaiting it, and the outcome was not a letdown. The event was attended by a large and enthusiastic audience, who enjoyed the unique and insightful shiur.

A full crowd participated in the continuing legal holiday shiur series presented this past Monday, January 16. Initiated by R’ Aaron Cyperstein in 2006, the shiurim have brought meaning to these days for mispallelim at Khal Adas Yereim of Kew Gardens. Rabbi Chaim Schwartz, Executive Vice President of the Vaad Harabbonim of Queens, articulated on the topic of kashrus issues that arise during midwinter break. Some of the concerns discussed included coffee at rest stops, airplanes, or hotels; using microwaves at Airbnbs; kashering grills; eating packaged cut-up fruits and vegetables; and buying raw fish from unsupervised stores.