On Wednesday night, February 7, the Queens Jewish Link presented its Sixth Annual Business Networking Event at the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills (YIKGH). The event also served to celebrated the sixth anniversary of the newspaper and the recent launch of its sister paper, the Bukharian Jewish Link (BJL). The event hosted hundreds of guests from across the professional, political, and religious spectrums. As the event began, business partners and individuals could be seen making their way from table to table, socializing with those seated and happily exchanging cards and other contact information. Being there from the start, I personally felt a great magnitude of “crosspollination” between the guests at every level. As the event moved on, the usual boundary separating casual and professional conversation faded in the best of ways. The event also hosted a panel of speakers who directed the tone of the night and exhorted the value of community-wide networking.
State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr., thanked Yaakov Serle, the night’s host and QJL co-publisher, for the paper and its involvement in serving the most diverse community of Queens. He mentioned that testimony of its success is evident with the sixth annual celebratory dinner, networking event, and BJL launch. He expressed his hope that the paper continues to weave a common thread now welcome and at home throughout the borough.
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz took the microphone next and thanked Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld of the YIKGH, Yaniv Meirov of Chazaq, Yaakov Serle, all the attending rabbanim for putting their creative effort into their community and shaping it into the thriving community it has become. She also requested a moment to recall the late Michael Simanowitz, who, as assemblyman and friend, left his indelible mark on the community. Consequently, she expressed great pride in having Dan Rosenthal take over the helm and articulated that we are in good hands.
Yaakov Serle then spoke. He marveled at how, six years ago, there was no local Jewish newspaper; now we even have a new Bukharian publication, with Avraham Yakubov as the very capable co-publisher. He celebrated the improved unity and stressed its part in all manners of successful political objectives and community goals. He also especially thanked Rabbi Schonfeld for the perfect venue, and all the night’s guests and participants who made the night possible. He also extended special praise to the Chazaq staff and Queens Shmira for making the event beautiful and safe.
Bukharian Chief Rabbi HaRav Yitzchak Yisraeli was asked to the dais next, and he related the following: When G-d commanded Moshe to collect the half-sh’kalim from the Jewish nation, He showed him a fiery image of a golden coin. The question is, why did Moshe need to be shown an image of a coin; wasn’t he familiar with currency? In fact, the Midrash tells us that Moshe was a king in the land of Kush for 40 years, how could he not understand finance? Our sages explain that G-d told Moshe that the money collected would be kesef kippurim, or redemption money. What Moshe had difficulty understanding was how money, the ultimate manifestation of materialism, could ever be termed or transformed into kodesh – an object of holiness. G-d therefore depicted a coin of fire. Fire can be dangerous, but can also be one of the most necessary things in the world. If we use fire with caution and preparation, it is extremely useful. But if we don’t give it thought or proper intent, it can burn and destroy. G-d was teaching Moshe that like fire, wealth must be properly utilized and controlled. G-d commanded us not to accept idols of silver or gold. Let the money serve you, but don’t serve money. When we ask G-d for materialism, ask that we have it yet not be ruled by it. If we use money properly, it is shekel ha’kodesh. May the community’s networking produce much wealth and may it be holy.
The featured speaker was a past president of the Orthodox Union, Steven Savitsky, who said the following: “I started out in this community, and I felt like I left a legacy; we built an eruv, which became the prototype for the entire United States. Also, congratulations to Yaakov for an excellent paper. When I go to Gourmet Glatt in Woodmere, where I now live, I pick up the QJL. I have one main message for tonight, and that is that the Torah is our nation’s foundation. People say, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. But what happens in our batei midrash does not stay there; it becomes the foundation of everything we as a people are about. A businessman’s job is to make a kiddush Hashem. If we fail at that, nothing else matters. I was in business since I was 15 years old. I began a home healthcare business called Staff Builders, which became the third largest provider of home healthcare in America. We started with one location and eventually made 150 locations. In all my work, I can testify that honesty creates more success than dishonesty. Don’t let anyone suggest otherwise; you can be successful and honest. Sometimes business requires you to be tough and resolute; do what you need to do but make your life’s foundation one of Jewishness. Let the Torah and its principles be your investment banker and we have a G-d-given guarantee that it will never let you down.
Assemblyman Dan Rosenthal concluded the night’s panel by highlighting the special place QJL has in the Queens community, mirroring his own position of being a unified voice and mode of expression for the Queens community. Yaakov Serle then awarded representatives from Apple Bank and the Margaret Tietz Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their magnanimous support and contribution to the whole Queens community by backing the groundbreaking and successful networking event.
The QJL’s next Networking Event will take place on Wednesday, February 6, 2019.
QJL Celebrates Sixth Anniversary At Annual Networking Event At The Young Israel Of Kew Gardens Hills
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