Queens Jewish Link and Bukharian Jewish Link Annual  Business Networking Event in Kew Gardens Hills

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An overflow crowd gathered at the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills on Wednesday evening, February 6, for the seventh annual business networking event and to celebrate the seventh anniversary of the Queens Jewish Link, and the second  anniversary of the Bukharian Jewish Link.

Mr. Shimmy Pelman was awarded the first Michael Simanowitz Community Service Award and Mr. Ronald Fatoullah, Esq. and Mrs. Elizabeth Forspan, Esq were awarded the Queens Jewish Link Community Service Award for all their hard work and dedication on behalf of the elderly.

Mr. Yaniv Meirov, Operations Manager of Chazaq, welcomed the large crowd. He noted how the Queens Jewish Link has served as a terrific asset for the entire Jewish community.

Next, Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld, Rav of Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, expressed gratitude to the Queens Jewish Link for all it does to link the community and he expressed that he is happy to write his column for the paper.

Melinda Katz, Queensborough President, thanked the Queens Jewish Link and the Bukharian Jewish Link for all they do for the community and she thanked Mr. Yaniv Meirov for his work with Chazaq on behalf of the community. She said, “The Queens Jewish Link has become such an amazing part of our daily lives. It gives us news of the day that we need.”  She thanked them for expanding to the Bukharian Jewish Link. She also thanked Mr. Ronald  Fatoullah, Esq. and Elizabeth Forspan,Esq. for all they do for the elderly. She said, “I am honored to present the Michael Simanowitz Memorial Award.” She then spoke about the late Assemblyman. “You knew you were going to win when Michael Simanowitz was on your side.” She noted how his early passing was such a terrible loss to his family and to the community. She called his family up to present the award to Mr. Shimmy Pelman. Queensborough President Katz noted how much work Mr. Pelman does to make people’s lives better in his neighborhood.

Mr. Pelman spoke briefly. He said, “Michael Simanowitz and I spent many years working together. Mike was a fighter, a trusted ally. Someone who would work on behalf of the community. He gave so much of himself. I’m honored to be the first recipient of this award.”

Mr. Pelman pointed out that in addition to networking for social or business reasons there is networking for chesed. He encouraged everyone to get involved. He has worked for many years tirelessly for Tomchei Shabbos. “We should all be involved in the network of chesed. All who work on behalf of the community, Hashem will bless you.”

Mr. Ronald Fatoullah Esq. and Ms. Elizabeth Forspan, Esq. were then presented with the community service award.

Next, Mr. Yaakov Serle, publisher of the Queens Jewish Link and the Bukharian Jewish Link, said,” First,  we thank Hakadosh Baruch Hu. We started seven years ago. BH, it’s taken off. One of the first sponsors of our paper was Assemblyman Michael Simanowitz and gave special support to this annual networking event.”

Local politicians included, Queensborough President Melinda Katz, Senator Joe Addabbo, Councilman Rory Lancman, Rabbi Daniel Pollack representing Congresswoman Grace Meng, Assemblyman David Weprin, Councilman Barry Grodendchik, and Councilman Donovan Richards.

Then Rabbi Dr. Richard Weiss, Rav of Young Israel of Hillcrest, shared a d’var Torah from the Parshah about always connecting to Hashem and being cognizant of Hashem.. He said, the Queens Jewish Link, links us to Judaism and strengthens our Jewish identity.  “Assemblyman Michael Simanowitz represented G-d in the State Assembly and he always had that focus of commitment to G-d.”.

The guest speaker, Council General of Israel in New York, Ambassador Dani Dayan, noted how journalism today is still important. “Newspapers still have a great influence. I came to say thank you Yaakov, in an age like today your publication is always fair and always always done with ahavars Ysirael. So, thank you.”:  He thanked the Queens Jewish Link for what it does to strengthen the Jewish community and the state of Israel. He shared that he first came to New York in 2016.  “I had the great pleasure to meet Assemblyman Simanowitz and he was very helpful to me in my first steps as Consul General. His passing was a terrible shock.” He stated, “As we enter Israel today, it is stronger than ever and more prosperous than ever.” He continued, “We have capabilities to defend ourselves. Today Israel became an economic super power.” He noted, “People from all over the world come to improve relations with our country.” He quoted Ben Gurion, “If you don’t believe in miracles, you are not a realist.” He noted the recent miracle of the opening of the American Embassy in Jerusalem and he spoke about the important relationship between Israel and the Jewish community in America. “Thank you for supporting Israel and continuing Jewish life here. Thank you in the name of the State of Israel and the people of Israel for your support and love.” He concluded with, “We need the help of the Almighty.”

This successful event ended with people networking their businesses. Hashem should bless everyone with abundant parnassah to be able to perform much kiddush Hashem. The community wishes to express hakaras hatov to the Queens Jewish Link and the Bukharian Jewish Link for these wonderful publications.

 By Susie Garber