Avi and Becky Katz, long-time Jewish communal leaders, have established a multi-year, multi-million-dollar national initiative with NCSY, the flagship youth movement of the Orthodox Union (OU), to support Jewish identity programs for public school teenagers. Their $3-million gift will focus on the OU’s national Jewish Student Union (JSU) program and will be called the Katz Family Initiative Driving Impact in JSU.

On the evening of Tuesday, August 3, New York City Police Department precincts engaged with community members at various Night Out events throughout the city. Members of local organizations, elected officials, and community leaders took part in the festivities. Members of Queens Borough Safety Patrol–Shmira, Chaverim of Queens, Council Members James Gennaro and Barry Grodenchik, Assembly Member Daniel Rosenthal, Jewish liaison Simon Sebag of the Public Advocate’s Office, and Rabbi Daniel Pollack (Jewish liaison to Congress Member Grace Meng) were all but a few of those who came out to show support. Local captains were on hand, as were Neighborhood Coordination Officers. We thank Capt. Antonio Fidacaro (102), Capt. Kevin Chan (107), and Capt. Joseph Cappelmann (112) for always being present and willing to help our communities.

Assembly Member David I. Weprin reopened his Fresh Meadows district office last Wednesday afternoon. As the COVID pandemic continues its roller coaster course of evolution and vaccination rates continue to rise, it seemed timely for this widely-used elected official office to resume a measure of normal operations. With plexiglass partitions in place and other safety precautions available, the Weprin staff appeared ready to meet constituents in-person once again at 185-06 Union Turnpike in Fresh Meadows.