The Jewish Link - Expanded Edition

14/08/2024

🎙 What do we say when the world stands silent? Moshe and Elizabeth welcome Ofir Akunis - אופיר אקוניס , the Consul General of Israel in New York , to speak about the challenges Jewish communities face worldwide and how to create positive change. Consul Akunis reflects on the issues he's addressed since he arrived in America and the unwillingness of world leaders to address the Iranian threat to Israel.

Listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts, and watch the full interview on our YouTube channel:

Moshe and Elizabeth welcome Ofir Akunis, the Consul General of Israel in New York, to speak about the challenges Jewish communities face worldwide and how to...

07/08/2024

🎗️ Last week, The Jewish Link was pleased to sit down with Consul General Ofir Akunis, who on May 1 took up Israel’s top diplomatic post in New York, as consul general of its largest consulate in the world. Our meeting was recorded as a podcast, which will be available on streaming platforms soon!

🎙️ Read “A Conversation With Israeli Consul General of New York Ofir Akunis": https://jewishlink.news/a-conversation-with-israeli-consul-general-of-new-york-ofir-akunis/

📱 Read “Passaic’s Naftali Shavelson, Media Rep to Consul General”: https://jewishlink.news/passaics-naftali-shavelson-media-rep-to-consul-general/

Last week, The Jewish Link was pleased to sit down with Consul General Ofir Akunis, who on May 1 took up Israel’s top diplomatic post in New York, as consul general of its largest consulate in the world. Our meeting was recorded as a podcast, which will be available here: https://podcasts.apple.co...

06/08/2024

🏥 Matan Brandon Rosenthal is a 22-year-old student majoring in finance and neuroscience at Muhlenberg College. This remarkable young man has volunteered around the world with his family. He has traveled with his family to Peru, Alaska, the Dominican Republic, Israel and Africa on medical missions. Last year, Rosenthal decided to fill a tremendous, life-saving need: building the first medical-dental hospital in the center of the largest slum in Africa: Kibera, a neighborhood in Nairobi, Kenya.

🔗 Read the full story on our website:

22-year-old takes tikkun olam to new heights with ambitious project. Matan Brandon Rosenthal grew up in The Bronx and is a 22-year-old student majoring in finance and neuroscience at Muhlenberg College. And Rosenthal is working toward making the impossible possible.   Rosenthal has accomplished muc...

01/08/2024

🚔 BREAKING: In the largest multi-country prisoner swap since the Cold War, Russia agreed to free Jewish American journalist Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan today. This deal will allow the two wrongfully detained prisoners to return home to the US.

🔗 Read the full story on our website:

In the largest multi-country prisoner swap since the Cold War, Russia agreed to free Jewish American journalist Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan on Thursday. This deal will allow the two wrongfully detained prisoners to return home to the US. Gershkovich, 32, was arrested in March 2...

30/07/2024

📖 When then-16-year-old Zac Levy encountered a homeless young woman, he remembered the “60 second rule” his father taught him: when you have an idea or thought, act on it immediately. He applied that rule when waiting in line at a 7-Eleven with his father in the Boston area. He and his father saw a woman struggling to pay for her drink and paid for her. After leaving the store they noticed her on the side of the road and realized she was homeless. Levy felt both compassion and curiosity about how someone that young — he estimated her to be about 18 or 19 — got in that position.

🔗 Read the full story on our website:

When Zac Levy encountered a homeless young woman, he remembered the “60 second rule” his father taught him: when you have an idea or thought act on it immediately He applied that rule after the encounter two years ago when the then-16-year-old was waiting in line at a 7-Eleven with his father in...

30/07/2024

✈️ Jeremy and Rina Schiowitzs’ one week trip to the Canadian Rockies almost went according to plan. The Woodmere couple stayed in Canmore (right near Chabad), and toured Banff and Jasper. Described by many as an “outdoor enthusiasts’ paradise,” Jeremy and Rina tremendously enjoyed their Canadian Rockies vacation. Little did they know, CrowdStrike would change their plans and give them a Shabbos to remember.

🔗 Read the full story on our website:

Jeremy and Rina Schiowitzs’ one week trip to the Canadian Rockies almost went according to plan. The Woodmere couple stayed in Canmore (right near Chabad), and toured Banff and Jasper. Described by many as an “outdoor enthusiasts’ paradise,” Jeremy and Rina tremendously enjoyed their Canadia...

30/07/2024

🚒 SPECIAL COVERAGE: FIRE IN FAIR LAWN LEADS TO OUTPOURING OF CHESED

After a devastating fire in Fair Lawn left beloved Kosher eateries destroyed, achdut and chesed in the Jewish community shine.

🔥 Read about the fire: https://jewishlink.news/fire-in-fair-lawn/
💪 Read about the ‘Roadhouse Schleppers’ who ran to help before Shabbat: https://jewishlink.news/roadhouse-shleppers-to-the-rescue/
💌 Read a letter to the community from Fair Lawn Roadhouse owners: https://jewishlink.news/reflections-on-achdut-and-chesed-in-fair-lawn-2/

A devastating fire has left the Fair Lawn Jewish community shell-shocked and wondering about the future of several local kosher businesses.   Shortly after 2 a.m. on Friday morning, July 26, the overnight crew at Zadies Kosher Bake Shop felt an unusual amount of heat and smelled smoke. Upon exiting...

26/07/2024

🚒 A fire in Fair Lawn erupted from a restaurant around 2:30 a.m. this morning. The entire shopping center, including our valued partners at Zadies Kosher Bake Shop, Fair Lawn Roadhouse, and Mashu mashu kosher sushi bar went up in flames. We are glad to hear there are no injuries and hope to share news about their rebuilding very soon.

🔗 Read the full story on our website: https://jewishlink.news/fire-destroys-fair-lawn-shopping-center-including-zadies-bake-shop-and-more/

24/07/2024

🪑Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) is set to resign his seat effective August 20. Menendez recently faced a corruption trial and was convicted of all charges, including accepting bribes, acting as a foreign agent and obstructing justice, on July 16.

🔗 Read the full story on our website:

Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) is set to resign his seat effective August 20. Menendez recently faced a corruption trial and was convicted of all charges, including accepting bribes, acting as a foreign agent and obstructing justice, on July 16. Menendez has faced increasing pressure from his own party...

23/07/2024

🪻New York University (NYU) has reached a settlement in a federal lawsuit with three Jewish students who claimed “egregious” civil rights violations by the university created a “hostile” antisemitic environment for students. In the lawsuit, the students claimed they and other Jewish students were subjected to “pervasive acts of hatred, discrimination, harassment and intimidation,” which was settled for an undisclosed monetary amount.

🔗 Read the full story on our website:

New York University (NYU) has reached a settlement in a federal lawsuit with three Jewish students who claimed “egregious” civil rights violations by the university created a “hostile” antisemitic environment for students.   In the lawsuit, Bella Ingber, Sabrina Maslavi and Saul Tawil claim...

18/07/2024

🥾 Boots for Israel, 57,000 pairs in, is continuing its mission to provide footwear to Israeli soldiers who need new boots. Yakir Wachstock, co-founder of Boots for Israel, spoke at Cong. Bnai Yeshurun (CBY) at seuda shlish*t last Shabbat, July 13. Wachstock told the story of how he, just a “regular guy” with no experience in fundraising or public speaking, started an organization that has made a profound impact thousands of miles away by providing boots for countless soldiers in Israel’s current war.

🔗 Read the full story on our website:

Boots for Israel, 57,000 pairs in, is continuing its mission to provide footwear to Israeli soldiers who need new boots. Yakir Wachstock, co-founder of Boots for Israel, spoke at Cong. Bnai Yeshurun (CBY) at seuda shlish*t last Shabbat, July 13. Wachstock told the story of how he, just a “regular ...

18/07/2024

🕊️ The horrors of October 7 served as a brutal wake-up call for Jews across the world, jolting us all into a harsh new reality. As antisemitism surges globally and support for Israel wavers, an unexpected partnership is emerging across the United States. Congregation Bnai Yeshurun became ground zero for a potentially game-changing dialogue between Jews and Christian Zionists. The event, co-sponsored by Congregation Bnai Yeshurun, Israel 365 and The Philos Project, provocatively titled “Why Do Christians Help Jews—And Should Jews Be Wary?” didn’t shy away from hard questions. Instead, it tackled them head-on, challenging long-held suspicions and forging new paths for collaboration.

🔗 Read the full story on our website:

The horrors of October 7 served as a brutal wake-up call for Jews across the world, jolting us all into a harsh new reality. As antisemitism surges globally and support for Israel wavers, an unexpected partnership is emerging across the United States. Teaneck is no exception. On a warm July evening,...

18/07/2024

🚑 On Thursday, July 11, Southwest Airlines flight 2847 started out like any other flight. A group of 10 Jewish scouts was returning home after completing a 100+ mile high adventure backpacking trek over the previous two weeks. Midway through the flight, the flight attendants asked if there were any medical professionals on board the plane and to identify themselves by ringing their call button. This group of scouts saved a man's life on the flight.

🔗 Read the full story on our website:

On Thursday, July 11, Southwest Airlines flight 2847 started out like any other flight. We were a group of 10 Jewish scouts returning home from Philmont Scout Ranch, after completing a 100+ mile high adventure backpacking trek over the previous two weeks. It had already been a long day for us, havin...

17/07/2024

🎙 How can we as a community empower each other using our voices? Moshe welcomes Chanan Vogel, one of the minds behind the The Jewish Link's Voices for Israel Chant Challenge, the ongoing community competition for best new pro-Israel chants! Chanan discusses the need for creative chants at rallies for Israel and relays his favorite submissions so far, some of which have never been published.

Listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts, and watch the full interview on our YouTube channel:

Moshe welcomes Chanan Vogel, one of the minds behind the The Jewish Link's Voices for Israel Chant Challenge, the ongoing community competition for best new ...

17/07/2024

⚖️ A federal lawsuit has been filed against the union representing legal aid attorneys in Nassau County charging it violated state and federal law by attempting to expel members who filed their own lawsuit temporarily blocking the union from passing a “blatantly antisemitic” resolution about the Israel-Hamas war.

🔗 Read the full story on our website:

A federal lawsuit has been filed against the union representing legal aid attorneys in Nassau County charging it violated state and federal law by attempting to expel members who filed their own lawsuit temporarily blocking the union from passing a “blatantly antisemitic” resolution about the Is...

16/07/2024

⚖️ Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) has been convicted of all the counts he faced at his corruption trial, including accepting bribes, acting as a foreign agent and obstructing justice. Menendez intends to run for reelection this year as an independent. With just four months left ahead of elections, this trial leaves voters questioning his potential candidacy.

🔗 Read the full story on our website:

On Tuesday, July 16, Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) was convicted of all the counts he faced at his corruption trial, including accepting bribes, acting as a foreign agent and obstructing justice. This verdict comes after a nine-week long trial in Manhattan which investigated the allegation that Menend...

16/07/2024

💼 A motion has been filed by former Rutgers Law student Yoel Ackerman to hold Rutgers, its law school and administrators in contempt of court for failing to abide by a protective order that prohibits them from seeking information about code of conduct actions. Ackerman faced possible expulsion for allegedly doxxing a pro-Palestinian student he claimed was circulating “hateful, intimidating” antisemitic misinformation about the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas.

🔗 Read the full story on our website:

A motion has been filed to hold Rutgers, its law school and administrators in contempt of court for failing to abide by a protective order that prohibits them from seeking information about code of conduct actions for which they are being sued by an Orthodox student.   The motion was filed in Essex...

16/07/2024

📣 In this first installment of a new series on New Jersey gubernatorial candidates, The Jewish Link sits down with Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop to ask him about the issues that matter most to our readers. How would Mayor Fulop handle being governor?

🔗 Read Harry Glazer’s interview on our website:

This story inaugurates a new series of articles in The Jewish Link, in which the leading candidates running for governor of the State of New Jersey, to be elected in November 2025, will be profiled. Though the 2025 New Jersey Gubernatorial Election is 16 months away, the Democratic and Republican pr...

11/07/2024

This was a really fun article to write about the creation of a new /farm in on a historic vineyard property. Best of luck to Marvin Baum at High Tor Vineyards, LLC!

A historic winery in New City, New York is being brought back to life in a big way. While High Tor Vineyards has been defunct for 35 years, for 20 years its new kosher-keeping owner has been planning its new chapter. Twenty years ago, in 2004, Marvin Baum, a digital imaging specialist turned event o...

10/07/2024

🔑 Think professional private security is an unnecessary expense? Think again! The Jewish Link recently spoke with Avraham Hirschey of 5S Security LLC in Passaic about the importance of security in the Jewish community’s religious public venues and at events related to Israel.

🔗 Read the full story on our website:

Think professional private security is an unnecessary expense? Think again! The Jewish Link recently spoke with Avraham Hirschey, chief operating officer, 5S-Security in Passaic, about the importance of security in the Jewish community’s religious public venues and at events related to Israel. Wha...

09/07/2024

⚖️ The “astounding indifference” of school officials toward a Jewish high school student who was assaulted, threatened and harassed for documenting other students’ antisemitic actions has triggered a federal lawsuit against the Cherry Hill Public Schools by the Zionist Organization of America.

🔗 Read the full story on our website:

The “astounding indifference” of school officials toward a Jewish high school student who was repeatedly assaulted, threatened and harassed for documenting the antisemitic actions of other students has triggered a federal lawsuit against the Cherry Hill Public Schools (CHPS) by the Zionist Organ...

09/07/2024

🗣️ “Being active in the Jewish community incorporates everything”

Meet Kenny Liebowitz: The mastermind behind .york.city, the Instagram account dedicated to finding “every Jewish happening for young professionals,” from Shabbat dinners to galas and more. Kenny chatted with us about his background, his mission for the account and what he’s seen so far in this exclusive interview with digital intern Eliana Birman.

🔗 Read the full story on our website:

In an ever-moving environment like New York City, finding a sense of community can be challenging, especially for young professionals just beginning to understand their adult lives. Enter Jew York City, an Instagram account with over 5,500 followers, which is dedicated to finding and publicizing “...

09/07/2024

🗳️ The unexpected death of Donald Payne Jr., congressman from the 10th District of NJ, created a vacancy that must be filled by a special Democratic primary election on July 16, followed by a special general election in September. The two special elections allow the Jewish community to help select the candidate who best represents their interests and priorities.

🔗 Read the full story by Harry Glazer on our website:

The unexpected death on April 24 of Donald Payne Jr., U.S. Congressman from the 10th District of New Jersey, created a vacancy that must be filled by a special Democratic primary election on July 16, followed by a special general election in September. The winner of the September election will fill....

08/07/2024

🚔 In recent months, tensions in Teaneck have been high and many Jewish residents have been left feeling on edge and even targeted. With a noted surge in antisemitic harassment, the need to report bias is higher than ever.

🔗 Read why community leaders are urging residents to report these incidents:

In recent months, things have been undoubtedly tense in Teaneck: Between frequent protests and hateful rhetoric, many Jewish residents have been left feeling on edge, and perhaps even deliberately targeted. There has been a noted surge in antisemitic harassment as well, much of which has been report...

04/07/2024

Nachum welcomed Zachary Greenberg, staff writer for The Jewish Link and resident of Teaneck, New Jersey, to the program to discuss the launch of the Voices for Israel: Creative Chant Challenge, hosted by The Jewish Link. Since October 7, there’s been a noticeable rise in antisemitism disguised as ...

02/07/2024

🌞Schedule your summer cuts for women and children in your own home with Hair By Leah!

Specializing in simcha and special occasions as well, by appointment only. 📞 646-287-5644.

26/06/2024

Late Tuesday, Westchester County Executive George Latimer defeated incumbent Rep. Jamaal Bowman by double digits in the democratic primary for New York’s 16th congressional district. The race was historic in many ways, including a record voter turnout for the district in the primaries, and the defeat of a leftist “pro-ceasefire” Bowman, who has consistently repeated profanity-laden anti-Israel and anti-Jewish tropes about AIPAC and “dark Jewish money.”

🔗 Read the full story from Judy Berger, who was on the scene with Latimer last night:

On Tuesday June 25, Westchester County Executive George Latimer defeated incumbent Congressman Jamaal Bowman by double digits in the democratic primary for New York’s 16th congressional district. NY-16 includes lower Westchester County and parts of the Bronx. The race was considered a major Democr...

18/06/2024

🇮🇱 It’s true: we need better chants in support of Israel! Join The Jewish Link in creating impactful pro-Israel chants and slogans with our Creative Chant Challenge. Win prizes, help unify the community and make your voices heard!

🔗 Submit your entries here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSesq7QYL0h8LcWFiQGCGh3Sd_nSJiqNVMl4ZwB0djvmLtriZQ/viewform