TSQ Quietly Ends Hunger Pains Of Over 1,200 Yidden

Since the late 1970s, Tomchei Shabbos of Queens (TSQ) has steadfastly stood as a model in providing nutritious sustenance to food-insecure Orthodox Jewish families.   Their weekly volunteer-led deliveries are highlighted by the distributions held around holidays, particularly ahead of Rosh HaShanah.   While administrators state the number as 300 families, I can assure you that this number is at least 50 more, and easily 1,200 individuals who receive relief from TSQ.

These efforts are funded largely by local contributions; this is where readers like your step in.   They are assisted by Met Council deliveries and government grants that cover the loose ends, making for a complete weekly package.   I witnessed box after box being packed with tender love and care by a team of dedicated volunteers consisting of local men, women, and children of all ages and backgrounds, with a singular desire to bring holiday cheer to those less fortunate.   Roasts for larger families and chopped meat for smaller ones were bundled amongst holiday staples like honey bear bottles, honey cake, pomegranates, and round challahs.

Also delivered was mayonnaise, kosher Jell gelatin desserts, pasta sauce, panko crumbs, fresh apples, regular and sweet potatoes, eggs, soup mix, sliced turkey packets from Israel, and a box of Shabbos candles.

Additionally, Devorah Feldman, Leora Keehn, and Ashira Savitsky arranged over two dozen baskets on behalf of the Hillel at Malloy College for inclusion in the distribution.   These additives were truly special!

All in all, TSQ operates solely by volunteers under the direction of Reb Yitzchak Katz, his wife Morah Gittel, and his son Reb Aron.   Included are doctors, lawyers, students, and Hatzalah members.   Of note are local Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi and Francine Raubvogel, Chief of Staff, Consulate General of Israel, who volunteer on a weekly basis.   Kudos to these role models.

In attendance to show allegiance with the work of TSQ were a handful of powerful elected officials who are behind much of the government grants provided throughout the year.   The delegation that attended in a number of shifts on Wednesday, September 21, included Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, local Commanding Officer Captain Jeremy R.  Kivlin and his officers of the NYPD’s 102nd Police Precinct; State Senators Joseph P.  Addabbo, Leroy Comrie, and Toby Ann Stavisky; New York City Council Members Linda Lee, Lynn Schulman, and Sandra Ung; New York State Assembly Members Andrew Hevesi, Daniel Rosenthal, and David Weprin; as well as Deputy Consul General at the Consulate General of Israel in New York Israel Nitzan.   Also in attendance were Simon Sebag, Jewish liaison NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams; Rabbi Daniel Pollack, Special Liaison to Representative Grace Meng; Adam Suionov, District Director for Council Member James F.  Gennaro; Facia Class for Robert Zimmerman’s Congressional campaign; Benjamin Zaientz, Agency Relations Manager at the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty; Rabbi Yaniv Meirov, CEO, Chazaq; Rabbi Shlomo Nisanov, clergy liaison to the 107th Police Precinct; and me on behalf of Queens Borough Safety Patrol Shmira.

TSQ is in desperate need of drivers for deliveries.   If you have been considering taking on a special mitzvah, now is your chance to grab this opportunity.   One would be dedicating an hour and a quarter every other Wednesday evening between the hours of 5:00 and 8:00 p.m.

“We wish our hundreds of volunteers, friends, donors, and recipients a k’tivah v’chatimah tovah,” offered Shimi Pelman, President of TSQ on behalf of his administration.

By Shabsie Saphirstein