The Northeast Queens Jewish Community Council participated in a community gathering organized by Assembly Member Rory Lancman to denounce the denounce Anti-Semitic graffiti vandalism perpetrated against the Young Israel of Hillcrest building and a Hatzolah Ambulance parked outside the schul.  The anti-Semitic vandalism was discovered early on October 18.  Enough members of the NEQJCC board attended that we decided on the spot to pass a resolution condemning this detestable violence.  

In addition to NEQJCC chair Corey Bearak (above), who spoke, President Jeff Gurdus, Vice President Ethel Levine, and Secretary Marilynne Vogel attended to express our support.

Below are additional photos courtesy of Joseph Levine, NEQJCC volunteer photographer extraordinaire and links to video of the gathering provided by the office of Assemblyman Lancman. 

Queens Leaders Denounce Anti-Semitic Graffiti [32 minutes]

Part 1: Assemblyman Rory Lancman, Borough President Helen Marshall, State Senator Toby Stavisky, Councilman James Gennaro [10 minutes]

Part 2: Rabbi Dr Richard Weiss (Young Israel of Hillcrest), Rabbi Fabian Schonfeld (Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills), Rabbi Michael Miller (Executive Vice President of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater New York), Councilman David Weprin [9 minutes 15 second]

Part 3: District Director Lydon Sleeper representing Congressman Anthony Weiner, Kenneth Cohen (NYC NAACP Director & President of its Northeast Queens Branch), Arthur Flug (Executive Director, Kupferberg Holocaust Research Center and Archives at Queensborough Community College), Jan Fenster (Queens Jewish Community Council) [9 minutes 35 second]

Part 4: Corey Bearak (Queens Civic Congress President and Northeast Queens Jewish Community Council Chairman) [2 minutes, 49 second]

Assemblyman Rory Lancman convenes the community gathering joined by (left to right) Councilman James Gennaro, State Senator Toby Stavisky, Queens Borough President Helen Marshall and Young Israel of Hillcrest Rabbi Dr. Richard Weiss.

Queens Borough President Helen Marshall speaks. At far right is NEQJCC Secretary Marilynne Vogel and top left is Queens Jewish Community Council President Jan Fenster who also was a speaker.

State Senator Toby Stavisky speaks. Community Board 8 members Kevin Forrestal (left) and Marc Haken (top left) are among many community leaders attending in support.

Councilman James Gennaro speaks. NAACP NYC Director Kenneth Cohen is at right who also spoke.

Rabbi Michael Miller, Executive Vice President of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater New York speak. behind him left is Jay Goldberg, past president of Utopia Jewish Center.

Councilman David Weprin speaks.  Looking on are Rabbi Fabian Schonfeld (Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills) NEQJCC Vice President Ethel Levine and Rabbi Dr. Richard Weiss (Young Israel of Hillcrest) and Community Board 8 District Manager Marie Ovide'.  Rabbis Weiss and Schonfeld followed as speakers.

Left to right Arthur Flug (Executive Director, Kupferberg Holocaust Research Center and Archives at Queens Borough Community College), Councilman James Gennaro, Susan Davis-Stemp (Young Israel of Jamaica Estates), State Senator Toby Stavisky, Assemblyman Rory Lancman, Lydon Sleeper (District Director representing Member of Congress Anthony Weiner) and Borough President Helen Marshall.  Sleeper and Flug also were speakers. 

Corey Bearak spoke representing the borough-wide Queens Civic Congress (he is its president) and the Northeast Queens Jewish Community Council. At right is Community Board 8 District Manager Marie Ovide'.

Corey Bearak thanked the NYPD for their fast response to the heinous incident. Looking on left to right Councilman James Gennaro, Community Board 8 member Kevin Forrestal, Young Israel of Hillcrest President Sanford Cohen Borough President Helen Marshall and  Rabbis Schonfeld and Weiss on.

Northeast Queens JCC President Jeff Gurdus and Ethel Levine are among many concerned community leaders and members who attended to express their support.

Not everyone could speak: Arthur Flug with Democratic District Leader Michael Simanowitz (a Young Israel of Hillcrest Member, Rabbi Robert Kaplan (JCRC's Director of Intergroup Relations and Community Concerns who works closely with the NEQJCC) and Councilman Jamses Gennaro.

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