Queens Shomrim was officially launched on Wednesday evening, bringing much-needed security and support to the local Jewish community. The initiative, led by Sruli Weiss, was created in response to rising crime and antisemitism in the area. Weiss tells YWN that while larger Jewish communities benefit from Shomrim services, he felt Queens was somewhat forgotten. “With the increase in crime, it became clear that this was long overdue, and I accepted the role as coordinator,” he said. The launch has been met with widespread community support, including backing from local residents, law enforcement, and sister organizations such as Shomrim Organizations from Williamsburg, Boro Park, Flatbush, Crown Heights, Staten Island, and Rockaway Nassau, as well as Rockland and Bergen County Chaverim.

The International Rambam Celebration Committee has announced that renowned speaker Rabbi YY Jacobson will be the guest speaker at the 44th Siyum HaRambam, set to take place on Sunday, 2 Adar 5785 (March 2, 2025), at the Bedford Union Armory in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Rabbi YY, renowned for his deep and profound insights and for captivating audiences of hundreds of thousands from diverse backgrounds across the globe, will deliver the keynote address alongside other prominent Jewish speakers and rabbis. With just a few days left until the Siyum HaRambam, anticipation is growing as thousands prepare to attend this milestone and grand event at the Bedford Union Armory. Doors will open at 6:30 PM, with the main program running from 7:00 to 9:00 PM.

New York Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado announced Monday that he will not seek reelection alongside Governor Kathy Hochul in 2026, signaling a potential shakeup in New York’s political landscape. While Delgado made clear that he will serve out his full term, he also indicated that he is exploring other political opportunities to continue representing the state. “I have made the decision to not run for reelection with the Governor in 2026,” Delgado stated.

Rose Girone, believed to be the oldest living Holocaust survivor, passed away on Monday morning at the age of 113. Girone ran a knitting shop in Forest Hills, Queens, and credited the craft with helping to sustain her family during the Holocaust. She was also a dedicated witness to history, sharing her experiences with the USC Shoah Foundation, the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County, and other institutions. Born in Janov, Poland, in 1912, Girone’s family later settled in Hamburg, Germany, where they operated a theatrical costume shop. In 1938, she married Julius Mannheim in an arranged marriage and moved to Breslau, Germany (now Wroclaw, Poland) just as Nazi persecution escalated.

A 15-year-old frum teen has been reported missing in Boro Park, prompting an urgent search by local authorities and community organizations. Moishe Gold was last seen on February 23, 2025, at 8:00 PM near the intersection of McDonald Avenue and 18th Avenue. According to reports, he was walking without a coat and wearing a white shirt. He wears glasses and was not carrying identification at the time of his disappearance. Boro Park Shomrim is urging the public to assist in locating him. Sources tell YWN that Moishe may have taken a subway, increasing concerns about his whereabouts. Anyone with information about Moishe’s location is asked to contact the Boro Park Shomrim hotline at 718-871-6666 immediately.

A tragic boating accident on Sunday afternoon left three people dead, two injured, and one missing after a vessel overturned in the waters near Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Queens. Authorities received a 911 distress call around 12 p.m., reporting a boat in distress near Breezy Point, Queens, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. The NYPD Harbor Unit and the Coast Guard responded to the scene. Five individuals were pulled from the water, four of whom were found unresponsive. The Sandy Hook Pilots and NYPD Aviation Unit transported the victims to Staten Island University Hospital and the Coast Guard Station in Sandy Hook. Police confirmed that three people were pronounced dead. Of the two injured survivors, one remains in critical condition while the other is stable.

In a well-coordinated operation, the NYPD and Boro Park Shomrim successfully took down a counterfeit money ring that had been targeting businesses in Boro Park and Flatbush. The operation culminated in the arrest of four individuals with extensive criminal records on Friday. The bust followed multiple reports from local business owners on 18th Avenue in Boro Park, who noticed fake bills being used in transactions. Shomrim volunteers quickly launched an investigation, determined to track down those responsible. The suspects, who had been methodically visiting stores to pass off counterfeit cash, were soon under scrutiny. Shomrim’s IT team meticulously analyzed hours of surveillance footage, piecing together key details that ultimately led to the identification of the suspects.

Attached are photos and videos of the Levaya in Boro Park of Reb Yitzchok Stefansky z”l. As YWN reported earlier, Reb Yitzchok, the owner of Dagim Fish and an understated talmid chochom, is perhaps best known for being one of the founders of the famed Lakewood Minyan in Boro Park, where he served as gabbai for half a century. He is survived by his children: Shmuel, Shua, Yaakov, Chaim Yisroel, Bentzy, Moshe, Shneur, Hadassah Oelbaum, Naomi Goldstein, Leah Kaufman, Shulamis Schuck, and Rivky Gold. The levaya was held at 10:00 am at the Lakewood Chapel, 613 Ramsey Ave., followed by a second levaya at the Lakewood Minyan in BP at 12:15. Baruch Dayan Ha’Emes. VIDEOS AND PHOTOS VIA BORO PARK SCOOP

YWN regrets to inform you of the petirah of Reb Yitzchok Stefansky z”l, who was niftar in the wee hours of Sunday morning. He was 88. Rev Yitzchok, the owner of Dagim Fish and an understated talmid chochom, is perhaps best known for being one of the founders of the famed Lakewood Minyan in Boro Park, where he served as gabbai for half a century. He is survived by his children: Shmuel, Shua, Yaakov, Chaim Yisroel, Bentzy, Moshe, Shneur, Hadassah Oelbaum, Naomi Goldstein, Leah Kaufman, Shulamis Schuck, and Rivky Gold. The levaya is scheduled to take place at 10:00 am at the Lakewood Chapel, 613 Ramsey Ave., followed by a second levaya at the Lakewood Minyan in BP at 12:15. Baruch Dayan Ha’Emes.

Yeshiva World News (YWN) has been leading the coverage of the State Education Department’s long-running campaign against yeshiva education.  YWN has been harshly critical of New York State and City officials who have unfairly targeted yeshiva education. Recent articles have discussed a new development. The State Education Department has made a final determination that two small chadorim in Williamsburg are not substantially equivalent.  The responses to this news sit at two opposite extremes.  Some express glee at the prospect of yeshivas in trouble, while others are outraged by SED’s actions. We all have experienced instances in which a person who hears two sides arguing thinks that they are both right.  This may be a case in which both sides are wrong.