Monday evenings have meant a symphony of sounds at the Emet Center. The music was courtesy of the latest 9-week semester of Step Into Prayer, the Women’s Division program that combines classes about tefilah with teaching heartfelt Jewish songs. “We started this initiative two years ago because it’s integral to Yiddishkeit to be able to connect to Hashem through song,” said Ms. Adina Fendel, Emet Women’s Director. “Our students typically have been missing that aspect of the connection, so we wanted to give them an opportunity to add the musical component. Being able to better understand davening and sing niggunim brings another dimension to their spiritual journey.”

“A Desecration of G-d’s Name Beyond Words”

On Monday, the Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), representing over 2,000 traditional, Orthodox rabbis in American public policy, decried a lawsuit against the state of Missouri by a dozen rabbis and other faith leaders, calling the suit a “desecration of G-d’s name that is simply beyond words.” Last year, in the wake of the Dobbs decision reversing Roe v. Wade, Missouri Governor Michael Parson activated the state’s “Right to Life of the Unborn Child Act,” which barred abortions except due to a medical emergency. The lawsuit claims that “[Christian] religious views are being enshrined into laws in Missouri,” and this is what drew the rabbis’ condemnation.

A very energized and informative meeting comprised of legislators and Kew Gardens Jewish community leaders took place this past Sunday, January 15, at the home of Mrs. Judy Sukenik, wife of the legendary Queens philanthropist Mr. Moshe Sukenik of blessed memory. The newly re-elected officials who each cover various parts of Kew Gardens met with key community lay and religious leaders, heard their concerns, and discussed opportunities for growth.

On Tuesday, January 3, the Chazaq Organization was proud to have hosted Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, Executive Vice President of Agudath Israel of America at the Chazaq Headquarters.

Rabbi Zwiebel met with Chazaq’s President Rabbi Yaniv Meirov about the history, present, and future of the organization and all of the important work they do.