Posted on 09/11/22
| News Source: Queens Jewish Link
Queens, NY - Sept. 11, 2022 - Two weeks after the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills honored its founding rav, Rabbi Fabian Schonfeld zt”l, with a street sign dedication, it welcomed its new mara d’asra, Rabbi Daniel Rosenfelt, and his family, to the pulpit.
“This will be their first official Shabbos at the shul. He is pleasant, well-mannered, warm, and caring. It has been a pleasure to deal with him,” said shul president Stuart Verstandig.
A musmach of Ner Yisroel in Baltimore, Rabbi Rosenfelt is familiar with the communal scene in Queens from his past position as a rabbinic intern at the Young Israel of Holliswood and his work across the street at the Yeshiva of Central Queens, where he serves as the Junior high school rebbe, teaching Gemara to boys and Mishnah to girls.
“It is very gratifying to know that one of our faculty is regarded as a leader in our community,” said YCQ Principal Rabbi Mark Landsman.
Rebbetzin Amanda Rosenfelt was raised in Cedarhurst and teaches third grade secular studies at the Bais Yaakov Academy of Queens. To expand on the new rabbi’s knowledge of Queens, Verstandig introduced him to the local elected officials, civic leaders, and the 107th Precinct. He noted that the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills is a historic shul that was among the earliest in the neighborhood. At the same time, it offers programs for people of all ages.
“We definitely were attracted to the rich history of the shul and Kew Gardens Hills as a whole,” Rabbi Rosenfelt said. He appreciated networking with local leaders and activists, recognizing that, in contrast to his previous pulpit, the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills is part of a larger community that is outspoken in Jewish causes and politically active.
“It’s about the energy and being available,” he said.