News

A Driving Force Behind L’Chaim 5K Run/Walk for Israel

The community is mourning the loss of Lenny Brafman (Yehudah ben Ze’ev) z”l, a beloved figure known for his boundless energy, deep love for Eretz Yisrael, and unwavering dedication to g’milus chasadim (acts of kindness). Lenny, born in 1954, passed away on Thursday, December 5, leaving behind a legacy of selflessness, compassion, and service to others.

Pledges a safe and vibrant city

New York City Mayor Eric Adams swore in Jessica Tisch, 43, as the next commissioner of the New York City Police Department at One Police Plaza, on Monday, November 25, becoming the second woman to head the city’s police department in its storied 179-year history.

In a heartwarming display of gratitude, several community organizations joined forces this Thanksgiving to provide complete holiday meals to local law enforcement agencies. Representing Chaverim of Queens and Great Neck, I had the privilege of spending Thanksgiving evening delivering these meals to numerous police precincts, including Highway Patrol Unit 3 in Cunningham Park on the Grand Central Parkway, the 102^nd Precinct in Kew Gardens, the 107^th Precinct in Kew Gardens Hills, and the 112^th Precinct in Forest Hills.

Master mechanech founded The Cheder educational network, opening
a Bukharian-focused Queens division two years ago

I was privileged to have enjoyed a number of touching moments with Rav Meir Chaim Gutfreund, zt”l, the pioneering master mechanech and the visionary founder of Queens Cheder Moshe Raya Mehamina based in Forest Hills and Jamaica Estates and its affiliates. This past Monday’s news of his petirah following a short illness was shocking and revealing; Rav Meir Chaim was 72. Rav Meir Chaim’s life was defined by an unwavering dedication to chinuch and a relentless pursuit of excellence in the craft, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to impact generations to come.

The Queens Jewish community recently had the privilege of welcoming Rabbi Shalom Khaimov, whose heartfelt passion and dedication to Torah learning are inspiring a new generation of youth. Rabbi Khaimov, an accomplished talmid chacham and Torah scholar, is known for his outstanding midos tovos. He currently studies at the thriving Sephardic kollel led by HaRav Yosef Bitton shlita and HaRav Avram Hasan shlita at Congregation Zichron Binyamin, Kollel Ohel Rachel, located on Princeton Avenue in Lakewood.

With just days left until Election Day, New York State’s 25^th Republican Assembly District Candidate Kenneth Paek held a friendly pizza party fundraiser exemplifying his campaign promise to stand tall for the Eastern Queens constituents residing within Flushing, Queensboro Hill, Hillcrest, Fresh Meadows, Oakland Gardens, Bayside, and Douglaston.