Jeff Gurdus was unanimously elected to a third term as President of the Northeast Queens Jewish Community Council [NEQJCC] at its last meeting May 12, 2003 at the Samuel Field YM&YWHA in Little Neck announced Corey B. Bearak, Esq.,Chairman of the Council�s Executive Committee, and the Council�s Delegate from Temple Sholom in Floral Park..

In addition Jeff Gurdus [Bellerose Jewish Center], the Council re-elected Helene Zaro [Bell Park Jewish Center] as First Vice President, Ethel Levine [Hillcrest Jewish Center] as Second Vice President, Council Member David I. Weprin [Young Israel of Holliswood and Young Israel of Jamaica Estates] as Third Vice President, Dr. Leonard Stieglitz [Jewish Center of Bayside Hills] as Secretary, and Mike Karpinos [Oakland Jewish Center].

The Council's Installation of its Officers and Awards Breakfast takes place, Sunday, November 2, 2003 at one of its member synagogues. Each year the Council presents its Award for Outstanding Service to the Community of Greater New York and its Award for Outstanding Service to the Community of Northeast Queens, according to Mr. Bearak. "This.year, we honor too truly outstanding and dedicated members of our community, Dr. Sandra Alfonsi [Jewish Center of Bayside Hills], Past Presdentof Queens Jewish Community Council and Queens Region Hadassah and about to be elected National Vice President of Hadassah, and our own Past President, Joseph M. Varon [Young Israel of New Hyde Park], an educator and environmentalist."

Mr. Bearak, who also serves as Executive Vice President of the borough-wide Queens Jewish Community Council (QJCC) said NEQJCC, an association of 30 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 , 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. Its website, www.northeastqueensjewish.org, features a community calendar."

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 Y, and its Legislative Forum each Spring. Last October, 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 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.

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