Jewish community organizations and agencies joined with local elected officials today (Sunday, February 29, 2004) to kick off a "Pre Passover Food Drive," announced Chairman Corey Bearak and President Jeff Gurdus of the Northeast Queens Jewish Community Council (NEQJCC), which organized the program. State Senator Frank Padavan and City Councilman David Weprin helped open the month long drive, which runs through March 31, at 12:30 p.m. at the Samuel YM&YWHA. It preceded a "Y'ld Kingdom" Purim Carnival at 1:00 p.m. "We want to fight hidden hunger in the community," stated Mr. Bearak. 

"As the largest regional Jewish community council in the Greater New York area, "Northeast Queens Jewish Community Council is proud to sponsor this program with the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, The Samuel Field/Bay Terrace YM&YWHA, and Queens Region-Hadassah," stated Mr. Gurdus. "We encourage donations of unopened non-perishable foods such as baby food, beans, pasta, rice, canned food at collection points through out northeast Queens -- including the Samuel Field Y -- and adjoining communities," said NEQJCC Executive Director Gail Eisenberg who organized participation. 

"The Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty provides more than 2.5 million pounds of food to needy families every year. More than 12,000 families receive food packages from Met Council's Kosher Food Network each month. We could not provide this service without the kindness and compassion of our dedicated citywide network of Jewish Community Councils, like Northeast Queens JCC," said Met Council CEO William E. Rapfogel.

"We thank Senator Padavan and Councilman Weprin for their support of our community programs," stated Steven Goodman, Ed.D,, Executive Vice President of the Samuel Field YM&YWHA.

In addition to the Samuel Field YM&YWHA at 58-20 Little Neck Parkway in Little Neck, collection sites include B'nai B'rith Youth Organization, 58-20 Little Neck Parkway in Little Neck; Hollis Hills Jewish Center, 210-10 Union Turnpike; Lake Success Jewish Center, 354 Lakeville Road in Lake Success; Marathon Jewish Community Center, 245-37 60th Avenue in Douglaston, Oakland Jewish Center, 61-35 220th Street in Bayside; Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation, 271-11 76th Avenue in New Hyde Park (North Shore-LIJ Medical Center campus) Queens Region Hadassah, 211-06 48th Avenue in Bayside; Sid Jacobson Community Center, 300 Forest Drive in East Hills; Solomon Schechter School of Queens, 76-16 Parsons Boulevard in Flushing; Temple Israel of Jamaica, 188-15 McLaughlin Avenue in Holliswood; Temple Torah, 54-27 Little Neck Parkway in Little Neck; Young Israel of Jamaica Estates, 83-10 188th Street; and Young Israel of Windsor Park, 67-45 215th Street, Bayside. 

NEQJCC members include 30 synagogues and other Jewish community agencies and organizations. For Information call NEQJCC Executive Director Gail Eisenberg at (718) 225-6750 x247, or email Gail@northeastqueensjewish.org.  Information about the NEQJCC and its members, including a community calendar may be viewed at www.northeastqueensjewish.org. 

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Photo Caption: Alison Hoffer, Deborah Nierenberg, Rosie Winder, NEQJCC Executive Director Gail Eisenberg and Chair Corey Bearak, Senator Frank Padavan, NEQJCC President Jeff Gurdus and Samuel Field Y Executive Director Steve Goodman

Photo Caption: Rosie Winder, NEQJCC Executive Director Gail Eisenberg and Chair Corey Bearak and Senator Frank Padavan

Photo Caption: (B&W) Alison Hoffer, Deborah Nierenberg, Rosie Winder, NEQJCC Executive Director Gail Eisenberg and Chair Corey Bearak, Senator Frank Padavan, NEQJCC President Jeff Gurdus and Samuel Field Y Executive Director Steve Goodman

Photo Caption: (B&W) NEQJCC Executive Director Gail Eisenberg and Chair Corey Bearak, Senator Frank Padavan, NEQJCC President Jeff Gurdus and Samuel Field Y Executive Director Steve Goodman

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