Queens Jewish Link Celebrates 13 Years And 600 Issues With A Bar Mitzvah Bash

The Queens Jewish Link (QJL) marked a milestone that blended tradition, pride, and purpose – an exuberant bar mitzvah celebration honoring 13 years of publication and 600 issues of impactful journalism. The event, emceed by the charismatic Nachum Segal, drew a vibrant crowd to the Young Israel of Jamaica Estates of community leaders, elected officials, and Jewish activists who gathered to reflect on the paper’s legacy, and honor a slate of individuals whose dedication has fortified the Jewish spirit in Queens and beyond.

The evening commenced with a stirring rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner” and “HaTikvah,” led by Cantor Paul Glasser and Dr. Paul Brody, setting a tone of unity and resilience. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz took the stage, her words striking a chord in a time of rising challenges for the Jewish community. “In a time of uncertainty and a time of horrors…we also need to come together in good times,” Katz declared, emphasizing the importance of communal strength. She expressed her hope for “13 more years, and more than that,” applauding QJL for its responsiveness to community needs. With a touch of humor, Katz nodded to her ex, Curtis Sliwa – a mayoral candidate and attendee – joking, “He’s a little meshuganeh, but he makes beautiful children.” She then presented a special award to Yaakov Serle, co-publisher of QJL, quipping, “Every time I see him, I know I have to take out my checkbook,” and lauding him as the backbone every organization needs.

The roster of dignitaries was impressive, including Assemblyman David Weprin, City Councilman Jim Gennaro, and Sliwa himself, underscoring the event’s significance. A video message from Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld congratulated the honorees, singling out radio host Sid Rosenberg as “one of the very few gutsy Jewish broadcasters.” Nachum Segal echoed this sentiment, telling Rosenberg, “The Jewish people were pushed up against the wall, and you decided to jump in to fight back.”

The spotlight then shifted to the honorees, introduced with heartfelt tributes. Shani Hikind, wife of former Assemblyman Dov Hikind, presented Dr. Joe Frager, her colleague of 34 years, as a relentless fighter whose efforts have “seared into the American consciousness the importance of keeping Jerusalem unified.” She credited Frager with orchestrating the Concert in the Park along with Dr. Paul Brody and influencing figures like Mike Huckabee and Pete Hegseth when accompanying them on trips to Israel.

Radio host Zev Brenner followed, introducing Dov Hikind as a man who has “given himself to the Jewish community.” Hikind, in turn, delivered a fiery address, framing Jewish history as “a story of difficulty, challenges, and Jew-hatred.” He decried the fear that keeps some from wearing a yarmulke in Manhattan – “This is America. This is New York” – and criticized the previous administration’s inaction on anti-Semitism, dismissing “conferences, meetings, and 87 pages of garbage” that lack consequences. Hikind hailed Rosenberg as “a King David of 2025” and a “hero of the Jewish people,” urging the community to embrace Jewish pride as members of “the greatest club anyone can be a part of.”

Sid Rosenberg, the night’s main attraction, took the podium with characteristic boldness. Calling Hikind his hero, he acknowledged that “a lot of Jews don’t like me because of my takes.” Unapologetic, he declared, “The Palestinians are Hamas,” and recounted how he, alongside Mark Levin and Ben Shapiro, challenged claims of Joe Biden’s pro-Israel stance, arguing that funding Iran undermined such assertions. Rosenberg lambasted the Democratic Party, challenging anyone to “find me in the Republican Party an AOC, an Ilhan Omar, or a Rashida Tlaib,” and skewering local leaders like Eric Adams and Kathy Hochul for failing to curb campus anti-Semitism. Recounting a story of him standing up to a subway provocateur who was harassing fellow Jews, he proclaimed, “I saw a Jew in trouble, and I wanted to help.” His activism stems from the same impulse.

Having never visited Israel before October 7, 2023, Rosenberg now plans his third trip in April so he can be in the country during Yom HaAtzmaut (Israel Independence Day). Rosenberg then took a bold step in front of the bipartisan audience and several elected Democrats. He actively urged the audience to withhold Democratic votes until the party addresses its anti-Semitism problem and to stand in affirmation – a request met with a resounding response. “I’m not for unity,” he insisted. “I’m for change.” While that moment absolutely bothered some in the audience, others saw it as a necessary step in the future of Jewish political activism.

Activism was the centerpiece of all the recipients of honors that night. Dr. Paul Brody, introduced by Cantor Glasser as an activist whose work “changes the world,” shared his remarkable journey. From smuggling tallisos into Soviet Russia and defiantly reading the Megillah in public to spearheading Jonathan Pollard’s release – a figure he met last year – Brody’s life exemplifies action over rhetoric. As president of the Long Island and Queens Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), he stressed the importance of “see something, say something, and then do something,” a mantra he hopes the next generation will adopt.

The ceremony closed with Assemblyman Weprin presenting proclamations to the honorees, including Serle, Frager, Hikind, Rosenberg, and Brody. Weprin humorously noted that while Frager organized the Concert in the Park, “I got the permit.” County Legislator Mazi Pilip offered congratulations, and Yaniv Meirov concluded with a recitation of T’hilim. Serle, in his remarks, credited Rosenberg with deepening his love for the Jewish people, presenting each honoree with a T’hilim as a symbol of their shared commitment.

Following the formalities, the networking event buzzed with energy. Rosenberg, true to form, stayed to engage with attendees, fielding questions and sharing stories late into the night. The celebration was more than a milestone for the QJL – it was a rallying cry for a community navigating turbulent times, a testament to the power of journalism, activism, and unyielding Jewish pride. The night affirmed that with leaders like these, the Queens Jewish Link – and the community it serves – has many more years of impact ahead.