QJCC Executive Director to Serve on

Borough President’s Queens General Assembly

Rabbi Mayer Waxman, a 26-year Queens resident serving in his second year as Executive Director of the Queens Jewish Community Council, has been appointed to serve on the Borough President’s General Assembly.

Borough President Donovan Richards Jr.’s Queens General Assembly (QGA) is an intercultural dialogue project promoting greater respect and appreciation of diversity at the borough level. Appointed delegates, alumni, and advisors engage in dialogue to find commonalities and also to address challenging topics. They participate in community action projects with the aim of breaking down silos between groups. By networking with each other, they develop working relationships, build lasting friendships, and stand in solidarity against bias, discrimination, and hate crimes. The Queens GA is the only initiative of its kind operating out of a Borough President’s office. Its mission is a priority for the most diverse county in the United States.

Borough President Richards launched the 2023 session of the QGA with an installation ceremony on Zoom. He welcomed 24 new Delegates and 15 new Alumni, and he welcomed back longtime Alumni and Advisors. This year has special significance for the QGA, since the initiative is marking its 20th anniversary.

By Rachel Cohen

On March 28, 2023, HANC High School’s four robotics teams traveled to the Big Apple – New York City –to compete in the CIJE Robotics Competition. CIJE, the Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education, held the same competition earlier this year among over 50 schools. At the previous event, HANC competed as well and came away as semifinalists.

As HANC began the trek to the city, the excitement and suspense was building. When they arrived, they were led to a table where the four teams could place their robots and make any last-minute changes necessary. While they waited for their assigned matches to begin, they were able to stop by a military recruitment booth and attempt pull-ups for a free army water bottle or bracelet.

As the matches took place, cheers and claps could be heard for the HANC team, as well as some consolation. It was chaotic, no doubt, but it was all a unified voice of support for our students and the team!

After several rounds, one HANC team composed of only sophomores advanced to the playoffs, pitted against TABC High School. By the end of the day, HANC had come away with a second place banner and trophy. This was an amazing placement for HANC given the incredibly difficult competition.

We want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the members of that team, as well as the other students in the engineering class for their hard work and dedication. We would also be remiss if we did not offer an especially cheerful thank you to the faculty advisor for the team, Professor Amrit Singh.