NORTHEAST QUEENS JEWISH COMMUNITY COUNCIL  & CHABAD HOST MENORAH LIGHTING, 12/1, 5:30 p.m.

Join the the Northeast Queens Jewish Community Council (NEQJCC) and Chabad-Lubavitch of Eastern Queens for the lighting of the largest Menorah in Queens, on the Third Night of Chanukah, 5:30 p.m., Sunday evening, December , 2002, 24 Kislev 5763, at the Chabad House, 211-05 Union Turnpike in Hollis Hills, announced NEQJCC Executive Chair Corey Bearak and President Jeff Gurdus.  Their Sixth Annual Chanukah Menorah lighting features Sufganiyot (jelly donuts), Latkes (potato pancakes), edible Chanukah Gelt, Dreidels, and live music and dancing, and a special juggling act

"The Council appreciates the efforts of Rabbi Yerachmiel Zalmonov for coordinating this important community event," stated Mr. Bearak.  "This year's location offers more opportunities for community members, travelers and passersby to view our community Chanukah Menorah."  For more information call (718) 464-0778.

Mr. Gurdus also noted that Council also sponsors a Chanukah Party one week later, Sunday December 8, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., at the Samuel Field Y, 58-20 Little Neck Parkway, in Little Neck, with a Menorah lighting expected to occur between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m.  For more information on this event, call (718) 225-6750.


Mr. Bearak said the NEQJCC, an association of 29 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).

"Our projects include Project Liberty, neighborhood development, Jewish continuity, Lay Leadership, social action, fostering intergroup understanding and building a multi-cultural coalition," said Mr. Bearak.  "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, which features a calendar for its members to post events of interest."

Mr. Gurdus said annual programs include its Installation of Officers and Awards Breakfast each fall, the lighting of the largest Chanukah Menorah in Queens, a Purim Carnival at the Samuel Field YM&YWHA, and its annual Legislative Forum each Spring (the next forum, Sunday March 20, features a keynote ddress by Council Speaker Gifford Miller), co-sponsored by the Queens Jewish Community Council (QJCC), at the Y.  "Our Neighborhood Development program includes a unique pilot program to bring the resources of UJA-Federation agencies to NEQJCC member synagogues."  This year, the Council, together with Queens Region Hadassah and the Consulate of Israel, hosted the Ben Yeduda Street Comes to Bayside, an Israeli Gifts Fair, Sunday, October 27 at Bayside Jewish Center, which attracted thousands of visitors who purchased direct from Israeli merchants and listened to Israeli entertainers.  Dr. Sandra Alfonsi chaired and coordinated the fair.

A beneficiary of UJA-Federation, the NEQJCC works closely with the QJCC, Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater New York, Metropolitan N.Y. Coordinating Council on Jewish Poverty and the Samuel Field Y, noted Executive Director Gail Eisenberg who can be reached at (718) 225-6750 x247 or via email at gail@northeastqueensjewish.org.  For more information on NEQJCC's collaboration with QJCC and Met Council on Project Liberty, email 911outreach@metcouncil.org.