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Chazaq’s life-changing work is known throughout the Jewish community. Since their inception in 2006, tens of thousands of people from all backgrounds are inspired by their events and lectures each year. In fact, in the last 12 months alone, Chazaq organized over 545 lectures on a wide variety of topics from relationships to raising children, from anger management to overcoming addictions, and everything in between.

Congresswoman Grace Meng has long been an advocate for Jewish causes, especially those affecting her constituents. Ahead of Chanukah, Rep. Meng hosted an annual Chanukah reception this past Sunday at Union Plaza’s Flushing-based outdoor balcony. Attendees ran every gamut of the Queens political scene. Much appreciation is due to Meng's Jewish liaison Rabbi Daniel Pollack and her congressional staffer Anthony Lemma.

Torah Jewry is reeling from the passing of Hagaon HaRav Shmaryahu Shulman zt”l, a talmid chacham of our generation who had a vast knowledge of shas. Rav Shmaryahu ben Pinchas Eliyahu was regarded as one of the foremost talmidim of Rav Yaakov Yitzchok Ruderman zt”l, the late Rosh Yeshiva of Ner Yisrael in Baltimore, where he received his rabbinic ordination. As a bachur, young Shmaryahu was raised Brooklyn, learning then at Yeshiva Torah Vodaas, and later in Lakewood under Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l, when Bais Medrash Govoah was in its infancy. Over the years, Rav Shulman cultivated close relationships with a myriad of gedolim from the previous generation, including Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l, the posek hador. Rav Feinstein was known to directly address Rav Shulman in many of his t’shuvos.

MTA is proud of Sophomore Basil Edelstein, who was honored at the Jewish Learning Experience of Bergen County Dinner on Motza’ei Shabbos, November 13. “JLE is a wonderful organization that provides spiritual educational support for those wishing for a deeper connection to Judaism,” shared Basil. “I have worked with JLE since 2017, helping to run their important programming, which includes Megillah reading, Tu BiSh’vat s’darim, and model Pesach s’darim, both in-person and on Zoom during the pandemic. It’s a great opportunity for me to be involved in Jewish education. I am very fortunate to reside in a community that has ample Torah resources, and it’s integral to share it with others who may come from different backgrounds.”

Hadar Bet Yaakov has much hakaras ha’tov for the tremendous display of community support that was shown to them during their Charidy event. All forces pulled together, and staff members, parents, and students worked the phones, sent out links to countless contact lists, and went into the wee hours of night until all call lists were exhausted.

There is an important characteristic in Judaism called hakaras ha’tov, being grateful. Every Yid must develop an awareness and a mindset that recognizes all the good that one receives and appropriately thank the Giver/giver. One of the ways in which we demonstrate our thanks to Hashem is by reciting Psalm 100 – Mizmor L’Sodah – in our weekday morning prayer service.