Joseph M. Varon was unanimously elected to a third term as President of the Northeast Queens Jewish Community Council [NEQJCC] at its last meeting May 8, 2000 at the Pride of Judea Mental Health Center in Douglaston, announced Corey B. Bearak, Chairman of the Council�s Executive Committee. The Council also elected Mr. Bearak, who served seven terms as NEQJCC President, to a third term in his new position.

            In addition to Mr. Bearak [Temple Sholom], legislative counsel to the Borough President Fernando Ferrer, and Mr. Varon [Young Israel of New Hyde Park], a teacher for the NYC Board of Education, the Council re-elected Jeff Gurdus [Bellerose Jewish Center] as First Vice President and Helene Zaro [Bell Park Jewish Center] as Second Vice President, Dr. Leonard Stieglitz [Jewish Center of Bayside Hills] as Secretary, and David Weprin [Young Israel of Holliswood and Young Israel of Jamaica Estates] as Treasurer and elected Ethel Levine [Hillcrest Jewish Center] as Third Vice President Mr. Bearak and Mr. Varon thanked outgoing Third Vice President Max Singer [Marathon Jewish Community Council] for his commitment and service to the NEQJCC.

            The Council's Installation of its Officers and Awards Breakfast takes place, Sunday November 5 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.

            An association of 22 synagogues and other religious, education, fraternal and community organizations, the NEQJCC 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).

            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.

            Its 2000-2001 program also includes a Menorah lighting ceremony after Shabbat on December 23 in Glen Oaks, a Jewish Camp Fair on a Sunday in December, a Purim Carnival at the Samuel Field Y and its annual Legislative Forum, co-sponsored by the Queens Jewish Community Council, March 18, 2001 at the Y.

            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 Jewish Center of Jamaica Estates, 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 more information, call Sharon Nadel, Executive Director, at (718) 225-6750 x 247 or Corey Bearak at (718) 343-6779.