Northeast Queens Jewish Community Council

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For Immediate Release:	Contact:
Sunday, March 20, 2005	Corey Bearak
	(718) 343-6779

JEWISH COMMUNITY ORGANIZES 2nd ANNUAL FOOD DRIVE

Jewish community organizations and agencies joined with local elected officials - including Councilman David Weprin to kick off the Second Annual "Pre-Passover Food Drive," Sunday. March 20, 2005, at 12:30 at the Samuel YM&YWHA, 58-20 Little Neck Parkway, announced Chairman Corey Bearak and President Jeff Gurdus of the Northeast Queens Jewish Community Council (NEQJCC), which organized the program. It preceded a "La Fiesta De Purim" Purim Carnival at 1:00 p.m. The month long drive runs through April 18. "We want to fight hidden hunger in the community," stated Mr. Bearak

"As the largest regional Jewish community council in the Greater New York area, the Northeast Queens Jewish Community Council is proud to sponsor this program with the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, The Samuel Field/Bay Terrace YM&YWHA, and Queens Region-Hadassah, BBYO and many local synagogues and schools" stated Mr. Gurdus. "We encourage donations of unopened non-perishable foods such as baby food, beans, pasta, rice, canned food at collection points through out northeast Queens -- including the Samuel Field Y -- and adjoining communities," said NEQJCC Executive Director Gail Eisenberg who organized participation.

"The Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty provides more than 2.5 million pounds of food to needy families every year. More than 12,000 families receive food packages from Met Council's Kosher Food Network each month. We could not provide this service without the kindness and compassion of our dedicated citywide network of Jewish Community Councils, like Northeast Queens JCC," said Met Council CEO William E. Rapfogel.

"We thank Senator Franlk Padavan and Councilman David Weprin for their support of our community programs," stated Steven Goodman, Ed.D,, Executive Vice President of the Samuel Field YM&YWHA

In addition to the Samuel Field Y, collection sites include Bay Terrace Jewish Center, Bayside Jewish Center, Bell Park Jewish Center, Bellerose Jewish Center, Hillcrest Jewish Center, Jewish Center of Bayside Oaks, Lake Success Jewish Center, Little Neck Jewish Center, Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation, Solomon Schechter School of Queens, Temple Torah, Utopia Jewish Center, Yeshiva Har Torah, Young Israel of Holliswood, Young Israel of Jamaica Estates, and Young Israel of New Hyde Park. NEQJCC members include 30 synagogues and other Jewish community agencies and organizations. For Information call NEQJCC Executive Director Gail Eisenberg at (718) 225-6750 x247, or email Gail@northeastqueensjewish.org. Information about the NEQJCC and its members, including a community calendar may be viewed at www.northeastqueensjewish.org.

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