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YCQ 72nd Anniversary Scholarship Dinner The Yeshiva of Central Queens held its annual Scholarship Dinner on Sunday, March 10, 2013 at The Sands, Atlantic Beach. The Yeshiva marked its seventy-second anniversary by paying tribute to an outstanding group of people who have served the Yeshiva and the community with much dedication and devotion.
Rabbi Aloni Russek
This year’s Guests of Honor were Dr. and Mrs. Dovid Hurwitz. Dr. Hurwitz is one of the most popular pediatricians in Kew Gardens Hills. He has served with distinction on the Board of Trustees of the Yeshiva for many years where he used his influence to help guide the Yeshiva on its successful path. His wisdom and sensitivity to the needs of others has resulted in many
people gravitating to him to seek his advice and counsel. Barbara, his aishet chayil, is supportive of his involvement in all activities on behalf of the Yeshiva and the community. Yvette and Sam Sturm were honored as Parents of the Year. They are role models to their three children through their active involvement in their education and in community affairs and tzedaka projects. Rabbi Aloni Russek received the Yeshiva’s Educator Award in appreciation of the caring, warmth and friendship he showers on his talmidim even when they were no longer in his class. The Dinner program featured the dedication of a beautiful new aron kodesh in memory of the recently departed Dr. Alvin Lashinsky a”h. Dr.
Dr. & Mrs. Dovid Hurwitz
Lashinsky was instrumental in the growth and development of the Jewish community of Queens and was one of the most devoted members of YCQ’s Board of Trustees for several decades.
Yvette & Sam Sturm
The dedication was made by Mrs. Francine Lashinsky and Dr. Alexander and Meryl Weingarten and family.
The Alumni Class of 1968 was recognized for its numerous achievements in conjunction with a gala class reunion which took place at the Dinner. Receiving the Distinguished Alumna Award in recognition of her accomplishments as a builder for the future, was Sari Miller, a successful entrepreneur and accomplished philanthropist for Jewish causes. The assemblage was treated to a guest appearance of Senator Charles Schumer. In a tete-atete with the Dinner guests, he discussed his views on the U.S. policy on international affairs and its relationship with Israel. YCQ Board Chairman, Israel Glaser and President, Dr. Joel Cohen thanked Mrs. Reize Sipzner for chairing the Dinner Committee leading to its great success.
HaKarat HaTov to Shalom Task Force by “Happily Married” In contrast to secular society, Orthodox Jewish society is blessed with a very high rate of marriage. However, this high marriage rate often leads to peer pressure to get engaged quickly. Sadly, this pressure sometimes leads to inappropriate and even dangerous matches. Many years ago, I too was not immune to this pressure. I was set up with someone who seemed great “on paper.” We dated and were about to become engaged. My parents shared their concerns about some of his behaviors with me. I rationalized them away. Most of my friends were already married and I was eager to become a married woman. Yet, one evening, like a bolt of lightning I remembered the warning signs of an abusive marriage from the Shalom Task Force (STF) seminar I had attended in high school. Although it took a lot of guts, I resolved to end the relationship. I
didn’t know if I would ever get married, but this uncertainty was preferable to the certainty of a doomed marriage. A few years later, I married a wonderful man with impeccable values. The young man I almost wed has since married and divorced. He refuses to give his ex-wife a get, and is instead holding her hostage as an agunah. When I recently ran into the STF presenter, I held back tears as I thanked her for the gift of my beautiful life, filled with shalom. I point to the STF seminar as a main factor that influenced my decision during that tumultuous period in my life. I hope that STF, the only organization that addresses these vital needs, will continue to instill confidence in today’s young women so that they are able to make informed decisions when choosing their life partners. A brunch to support Shalom Task
Force’s Confidential Hotline, Education and Prevention program for young adults, Shalom Workshops for Couples, Sarah’s Voice, a legal service empowering victims through legal advice and assistance, and Beit Shalom and Ohel Shalom which serve the Bukharian and
Persian communities, will take place on Sunday, April 14, 2013 at 10 AM at the Sephardic Temple in Cedarhurst. For further information, please call 516-773-3399 or email stfbrunch@ gmail.com. To donate, please go to www.shalomtaskforce.org.
65 T h e J e w i s h H o m e n M A R C H 2 1 , 2013
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