The Northeast Queens Jewish Community Council [NEQJCC] presented Awards for Outstanding Service, to State Senator Frank Padavan, BBYO Big Apple Region Executive Director Hali Herman and Samuel Field/Bay Terrace YM&YWHA Chief Financial Officer Linda Eichhorn, at its Annual Installation and Award Reception, October 30 at Bellerose Jewish Center in Floral Park, announced President Jeff Gurdus. City Council Finance Committee Chair David I. Weprin installed the Council's officers including Mr. Gurdus to a fifth term as President, reported Corey Bearak, chair of the NEQJCC's Executive Committee. NEQJCC Executive Director Gail Eisenberg thanked The Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation, and its President and CEO, Michael Rosenblut for it generous support of the reception.

          In addition to Bearak [Temple Sholom], re-elected to a ninth term as NEQJCC's Chairman,and Gurdus [Bellerose Jewish Center] as President, Chairman Weprin installed First Vice President Helene Zaro [Bell Park Jewish Center], Second Vice President Ethel Levine [Hillcrest Jewish Center], Third Vice President Dr. Sandra Alfonsi [Hadassah], Treasurer Herb Friedman [Jewish Center of Bayside Oaks, Secretary Corinne Steel [Marathon Jewish Community Center] and Trustee Dr. Steven Goodman [Samuel Field YM&YWHA].

          Mrs. Zaro made the presentation to Senator Padavan returning the favor when the Senator presented the Council's Award to Mrs. Zaro three years back. Rick Lewis, Assistant Executive Director at the �Y�, presented to Mrs. Eichhord and BBYO, Inc. Executive Director Matthew Grossman presented to Mrs. Herman. Presentations to the honorees were also made by Council Member Weprin and Assembly Member Brian McLaughlin.

          Other officials attending included Assembly Members Mark Weprin and Michael Gianaris, Grace Meng representing Assembly Member Jimmy Meng, Joseph Goldbloom representing Council Member Leroy Comrie, Lois Raff representing District Attorney Richard Brown, Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater New York Executive Vice President Michael Miller and Intergroup Relations Director Robert Kaplan, and Queens Jewish Community Council President Jan Fenster and Executive Director Cynthia Zalisky.

          An association of synagogues and other religious, education, fraternal and community organizations, covers Bay Terrace, Bayside, Bellerose, Douglaston, Floral Park, Fresh Meadows, Glen Oaks, Holliswood, Hollis Hills, Jamaica Estates, Little Neck, New Hyde Park, Oakland Gardens and Queens Village (north).  NEQJCC projects include a Pre- Passover Food Drive, a Fall Food and Clothing Drive sponsored by Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation, neighborhood development, Jewish continuity, Lay Leadership, social action, promoting involvement and volunteer opportunities, fostering intergroup understanding and building a multi-cultural coalition. 

          The Council combats anti-Semitism and discrimination, sponsors forums with major public figures, Jewish cultural events, open discussions with local Rabbis and represents community concerns.    Its website, www.northeastqueensjewish.org, features a community calendar.The Council publishes a (4-fold 8.5 by 14-inch) brochure, You Can Have It All, touting life in northeast Queens communities, including a map locating its member synagogues and institutions, also available through its website.

          Annual programs include the lighting of the largest Chanukah Menorah in Queens, a Purim Carnival at the Samuel Field Y, and its Legislative Forum each Spring.  In 2002 and 2004, the Council, together with Queens Region Hadassah and the Consulate of Israel, hosted the Ben Yeduda Street Comes to Bayside, an Israeli Gifts Fair, which attracted thousands of visitors who purchased direct from Israeli merchants and listened to Israeli entertainers.  A beneficiary of UJA-Federation, the NEQJCC works closely with the Queens Region-Hadassah, Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater New York, Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, the Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation, and the Samuel Field/Bat Terrace YM & YWHA.
 
          For further information, contact NEQJCC Executive Director Gail Eisenberg at (718) 225-6750 x247 or via email at gail@northeastqueensjewish.org.

SEE THE INSTALLATION and AWARD RECEPTION JOURNAL

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