🌱 Jewish Man Assaulted On Subway + Fire Breaks Out In Synagogue

Hello, Queens. I'm here in your inbox today to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on around town. Because community news matters! I'll get right to it.

First, today's weather:

Sunny to partly cloudy. High: 87 Low: 70.

Here are the top three stories today in Queens:

1. The NYPD Hate Crime Taskforce is investigating the assault of a Jewish man in an alleged antisemitic hate crime. According to the man, he was traveling on an E train around 7:30 p.m. when a group of four men began dancing and playing music for money. One of the dancers then stepped on the man's foot and tried to take his phone, which the man refused. He was then punched in the mouth and as he exited the train, the assailant said, "If I had a gun, I would shoot you." (Hamodia)
2. A fire broke out in the basement of a synagogue on Thursday afternoon. According to FDNY personnel, firefighters responded to a call at 3:14 p.m. The fire was located at 139-19 72nd Road in Kew Gardens Hills. 60 firefighters worked to bring the fire under control by 3:52 p.m. The Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire, which is unknown as of Friday evening. (AMNY)
3. The New York Times spoke with renowned sushi chef Nozomu Abe about how he spends his days off. The Queens resident grew up in Hokkaido and received culinary training in Sapporo, and now owns and works in Sushi Noz, a Michelin star restaurant on the upper east side of Manhattan. Click the link to read about the remarkable chef. (The New York Times)

Today in Queens:

• Summer Forest Therapy Walk at Alley Pond Environmental Center (10:00 AM)
• QBG Farm Open Hours & Farm Stand at Queens Botanical Garden (10:00 AM)
• Movie Night: Encanto at Queens Botanical Garden (7:30 PM)
• A Royal Night of Entertainment for Kings & Queens at 208 Totten Ave in Bayside (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• In case you missed it: Queens Borough President Donovan Richards joined the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for a COVID-19 vaccine information session. Click the link to watch the recording of the info session, where officials discussed the safety of vaccinating kids under five. (Queens Borough President Donovan Richards via Facebook)
• Queens Botanical Garden is welcoming the Mark Morris Dance Group back to the Garden. The dance group will host a workshop and performance on Aug. 18 at 6:00 p.m. Costs are included in admission to the Garden. (Queens Botanical Garden via Facebook)
• Are you ready for some Caribbean heat? Queens, New York is hosting the Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival in Roy Wilkins Park on Jul. 31. Click the link to learn more. (Queens, New York via Facebook)

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Events:

• NEW EXCLUSIVE! Just Listed Forest Hills Gardens Two Family Townhouse (July 31)
• Summer Smiles by Piece of Cake Moving (July 31)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you back in your inbox Monday with your next update!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a born and raised Rhode Islander, now living in New York. She works as a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and is a graduate of The University of Rhode Island, where she earned a degree in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or photographing her neighborhood as a street photographer.