In recent weeks, the Queens Jewish Link has begun a strong Brooklyn distribution, sharing our material with over 1000 Brooklynites in the Flatbush and Borough Park neighborhoods. To that end, I gladly accepted Shea Rubenstein’s invitation to represent the Queens Jewish community at the 15th annual Jewish Community Council of Marine Park (JCCMP) legislative breakfast, where he is Executive Director. Held at Kingsway Jewish Center on Sunday, June 11, the gathering was well attended, attracting easily 250 community leaders and elected officials.
Council Member Kalman Yeger serves Brooklyn’s District 44, which widely covers the service area of the JCCMP. Yeger emceed the program, sharing many successes and visions to the impressive audience. Of note were Simon Sebag, Jewish liaison to NYC Public Advocate Jumanne Williams; Pesach Osina, Director of Communications and Outreach for Jewish Affairs for New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams; Pinchus Hikind, Special Assistant to New York City Comptroller Brad Lander; Igor Galanter, Auditor at the NYC Comptroller’s Office, and many other notables. Others included David Greenfield, CEO of Met Council; Aaron Cyperstein, Met Council’s Managing Director of Legal & External Affairs, Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, Executive Vice President of RAA; Rabbi Avrohom Hecht, Executive Director of Jewish Community Council of Canarsie; Rabbi Tzvi Berkowitz, National Chaplain of National Conference of Shomrim Societies, and Radio Host Zev Brenner, and NYPD Commanding Officer of Community Affairs, the district’s own Inspector Richie Taylor. Thanks is extended to my counterparts at Shmira for providing public safety measures.
JCCMP is a social services organization that unites and assists the residents of Brooklyn’s famed Marine Park community and its surrounding neighborhoods. Focusing on the needs of these specific communities, the JCCMP has created numerous programs and services designed to improve the overall quality of life of its residents. Providing financial assistance or nutritious food to families, social activities for teens, or advocating with the government are just some of the ways how the JCCMP addresses the immediate needs of the community and the individual, enhancing and improving the quality of lives of both.
The breakfast announced the completion of construction of the organization’s family library and honored 10 noteworthy individuals. The State Legislative Award was presented to New York State Senator Kevin Parker; the City Legislative Awards were presented to New York City Council Members Mercedes Narcisse, Farah N. Louis, and Jewish Caucus Chair Eric Dinowitz; the Assembly Legislative Awards went to Assemblymembers Jamie Williams and Helene Weinstein. Community Service Awards were presented to Roni Shoyfer, Senior Vice President at Citizens Bank, and Renee McClure, Director of Community Relations for National Grid. Mark Appel of The Bridge received the prestigious Unity Award. However, the most cheers went to the Woman of the Year recipient Ruchie Weinstock, Vice President at Merkaz Yisrael, Marine Park Jewish Center, where her influence is widely known and appreciated. For more information on the work of JCCMP, call 718–407–1832, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit their website at www.jccmp.org.
By Shabsie Saphirstein, treasurer, Queens Jewish Alliance (QJA)
