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Last Wednesday, May 31, I was privileged to attend Mayor Eric Adams’ Gracie Mansion reception celebrating Jewish Heritage Month. As I walked into the spacious courtyard, exchanging pleasantries with Rav Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, executive vice president of Agudath Israel of America, I was pleasantly surprised at the sea of yarmulkes and sheitels I saw. I had expected every walk of Jewish life to attend this program but was moved to see the impact of New York’s Orthodox Jewish community in full display. It was truly a room of friends that greeted the Mayor and his esteemed staff. I would be remiss if I did not note the impact of three such members: Menashe Shapiro (the Mayor’s deputy chief of staff), Joel Eisdorfer (the Mayor’s senior advisor), and NYPD Inspector Richie Taylor (Commanding Officer of the Department’s Community Affairs Unit), who was flanked by tens of police and fire officers, both Jewish and non-Jewish friends of our communities.

Margaret Tietz Nursing and Rehabilitation recently welcomed the New York Police Department’s Ceremonial Band for a riveting jazz performance. A couple of months ago, Officer Peterson Leny came in to see Linda Spiegel, Director of Public Affairs for the center. Officer Leny explained that he regularly passes the rehab and was curious to see their work. Spiegel explained that they house 200 residents. The officer described the department’s jazz band, explaining that it launched in 1932 and continues to spread cheer today. “It's like the best kept secret; we all need to know about this,” stated Spiegel. “For you to do what you do for all of us resonated deeply.” Spiegel was touched by their rendition of "America the Beautiful," noting that with everything going on in the community, it had greater significance. “We know that you're there for us and we really appreciate you going out of your way to come in the middle of your day for our residents; it's a very special and fun initiative.”

The Kew Gardens community once again continued its tradition of hosting a Legal Holiday Yarchei Kallah shiur. Following Shacharis this past Memorial Day at Kew Gardens Synagogue Adath Yeshurun, Rabbi Aryeh Sokoloff, Rabbi Emeritus of the shul, delivered an in-depth analysis of Birkas HaTorah, extending the z’man kabalas haTorah beyond the Yom Tov of Shavuos itself.

With the arrival of the summer months, Chaverim Of Queens and Great Neck wants to ensure that its over 130 exclusively-volunteer members have the equipment necessary to respond to the community’s non-medical emergencies in a moment’s notice.

The Israel Heritage Foundation (IHF) held their Yom Yerushalyim celebratory dinner this past Monday evening in New York City. An elite group of guests heard of a new vision for Eretz Yisrael under the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from a number of speakers, headlined by powerful addresses from Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan, Minister of Heritage Amichai Eliyahu (Otzma Yehudit), and Minister of Information Galit Distel-Atbaryan (Likud).

Daniel Luria was in New York for a short three days in conjunction with the Ateret Cohanim dinner. Luria embarked on his mission in the States to bring the Yom Yerushalayim spirit to our shores. Many of us would call Purim or Chanukah our favorite chag, but for Luria, Yom Yerushalayim shines as his most cherished Yom Tov on the Jewish calendar. Luria was visibly pained at missing the festivities back at home, but his depiction of the flag parade evoked a memorable yearning to be celebrating with his Israeli brethren: “The flag parade makes a huge statement in Jerusalem, throughout the State of Israel, and to all those abroad who witness its glorious joy.”