The Northeast Queens and Queens Jewish Community Councils and the Samuel Field/Bay Terrace YM&YWHA present "The Odd Potato," a heartwarming Chanukah story, Sunday December 10 at 3:00 p.m., announced Corey Bearak, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Northeast Queens JCC and a Vice President of the Queens JCC. The free admission program takes place at Bellerose Jewish Center, 254-04 Union Turnpike, one block east of Little Neck Parkway in Floral Park, according to NEQJCC President Joseph M. Varon.

"All ages will enjoy this heartwarming Chanukah story where young Rachel Levy yearns to bring joy back into her home by trying to celebrate Chanukah," said Mr. Bearak. "This award winning story written by Eileen Bluestone Sherman with music by Gail Bluestone, is directed by Sasha Nanus with choreography by David Beris and musical direction by Barbara Anselmi," added Mr. Varon.

To ensure searing for The Odd Potato at no charge, the public still is urged to make reservation by calling NEQJCC officer David Weprin at (718) 264-3283. Reservations will be accepted until December 4 and honored from 2:00- 2:30 p.m. on the day of the performance. Open seating begins at 2:30 p.m.

President Varon also thanked Bellerose Jewish Center and its President Jeff Berzon for making its facilities available to the Councils to present the play.

Northeast Queens Jewish Community Council projects include neighborhood development, Jewish continuity, Lay Leadership, social action, 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. 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. It also maintains a community website, www.northeastqueensjewish.org.

The Council holds its Installation of Officers each fall. Its 2000-2001 program also includes a community Chanukah Party at the Samuel Field Y, 58-20 Little Neck Parkway, on Sunday, December 17, Menorah lightings ceremonies after Shabbat on December 23 at the Chabad of Northeast Queens and Sunday, December 24 at the Glen Oaks Shopping Center; a Purim Carnival at the Samuel Field Y, and its annual Legislative Forum, co-sponsored by the Queens Jewish Community Council, March 18, 2001 also at the Y. Its Neighborhood Development program includes a unique pilot program to bring the resources of UJA-Federation agencies to NEQJCC member synagogues. The Council also collaborates with UJA-Federation to encourage residents to undergo cancer screening through workshops and the availability of mammography screenings.

The association of 22 synagogues and other religious, education, fraternal and community organizations covers Bay Terrace, Bayside, Bellerose, Douglaston, Floral Park, Glen Oaks, Holliswood, Hollis Hills, Jamaica Estates, Little Neck, New Hyde Park, Oakland Gardens and Queens Village (north). A UJA-Federation beneficiary, the NEQJCC works closely with the Queens Jewish Community Council, Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater New York, Metropolitan N.Y. Coordinating Council on Jewish Poverty and the Samuel Field Y. NEQJCC member organizations include Bayside Jewish Center, Bay Terrace Jewish Center, Bellerose Jewish Center, Bell Park Jewish Center, The Bikur Cholim Society of New Hyde Park, The Conservative Synagogue of Jamaica, Hillcrest Jewish Center, Hollis Hills Jewish Center, Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services/Pride of Judea, Jewish Center of Bayside Hills, Jewish Center of Bayside Oaks, Jewish War Veterans, Little Neck Jewish Center, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Marathon Jewish Community Center, New Hyde Park Jewish Center, Oakland Jewish Center, Queens Jewish Center of Queens Village, Queens Region of Haddassah, Samuel Field/Bay Terrace YM&YWHA, Temple Israel, Temple Sholom, Temple Torah, Yeshiva Har Torah, Young Israel of Bayside, Young Israel of Holliswood/Holliswood Jewish Center, Young Israel of Jamaica Estates, Young Israel of New Hyde Park, and Young Israel of Windsor Park. For information, call Executive Director Sharon Nadel at (718) 225-6750 x 247.

The Queens Jewish Community Council, an umbrella organization for more than 90 synagogues and institutions throughout the borough, provides a wide range of social services which include benefits counseling, distribution of security devices to senior citizens, employment placement for new immigrants and food distribution and emergency assistance to the poor. The Council sponsors educational and cultural programs and mobilizes Jewish community response to issues of concern such as support for Israel, combating anti-Semitism and local issues that impact the Jewish community. For more information, call Executive Director Manny Behar at (718) 544-9033.

The Samuel Field YM-YWHA, a not-for-profit Jewish social service organization, provides a comprehensive program of social services and education, recreation and Jewish culture for families, children, teenagers, single parents, adults and seniors, primarily residing in northeast Queens and Great Neck, regardless of race, creed or religion. The Y's commitments to the needs of special populations include quality programs for the mentally retarded, the learning and developmentally disabled, people suffering from dementia and related memory disorders and a mental health service for older adults experiencing emotional and psychological disorders.

Home | Calendar | Media | Officers | Members | Resources