BJL Interviews Queens Councilman Rory Lancman

Ahead of election, veteran elected discusses future of Bukharian community, the importance of voting, and more

Election season is around the corner, and New Yorkers will be voting for incumbents and new faces from all around the state. Here at BJL, I was proud to interview one of Queens’ seasoned elected officials, Councilman Rory Lancman, who is re-running for Councilman of the 24th District. This District includes Briarwood, Cunningham Park, Flushing, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Fresh Meadows, Hollis, Holliswood, Jamaica, Jamaica Estates, Jamaica Hills, Kew Gardens, Kew Gardens Hills, and Richmond Hill.

BJL: Rory, please tell us a little about yourself and your connection to the Bukharian community here.

Councilman Rory Lancman: Sure. I grew up in Kew Gardens Hills, went to public school, and got involved in local civic affairs as a member of my community board. I also used to chair the board of Queens Hospital Center. I ran for and end up winning the State Assembly in 2006, and then ran again in 2013 amongst other political adventures.

I had my first real opportunity to get to know the Bukharian community when I got elected to the State Assembly. I have since developed what I like to think of as very, very warm relationships with community’s leaders, along with some very deep personal friendships. I have experienced a wonderful, growing community and am happy to help in that growth.

BJL: Your constituent body consists of many diverse ethnic groups and you get to see them evolve over the life of your term in office. What do you anticipate will take place within the Bukharian community over the next few years?

Councilman Lancman: Well, the community is growing by leaps and bounds. In the physical sense you can see how many new shuls and schools are being opened. We were actually just recently by Rabbi Haimoff’s school and we will be helping with its expansion. We were very helpful to Beit Eliyahu in morphing it from a house on the block into a true community center to benefit Jewish living in Hillcrest.

But more than that, what I’m seeing is the growth of the community’s involvement in the political and communal sphere of the borough and the city.

Take these examples as references for the kind of thing I’m talking about: Rabbi Shlomo Nissanov’s shul/pantry/learning center/afterschool program has really turned a simple shul into a full-fledged community center. Another example is the Chazaq organization and the establishment of ABA, the Alliance of Bukharian-Americans. You can really see how the community is now moving beyond meeting its members’ religious needs; we are now witnessing the community satisfying its own social needs and developing cultural programs as well. This is making the Bukharian community an increasingly important part of the broader Jewish community and part of the civic and political arenas of Queens and New York City.

I was the emcee at the Chazaq Legislative Breakfast this year and we want to see the Bukharian community even more engaged in civic and political affairs of New York City. Bukharians pay taxes too, and they should have their voices heard.

BJL: I’m sure many of our readers share your sentiment and feel that as Bona Fide New Yorkers, they should have a greater voice. What message would you most like to share with our readers regarding what you do and what they can do?

Councilman Lancman: I am committed to supporting the growth and well-being of Klal Yisrael (the Jewish people), and the Bukharian community in Queens is a very important part of that. Working closely with the community’s leadership, we have been able to do wonderful things. We have expanded services for Bukharians of all ages. I am really excited about continuing that partnership for the next four years. I think there is a terrific crop of young leaders in the community. It is blessed with really good and active leadership and I’m proud of my relationship with them and hope to get even bigger and better work done in the coming years.

BJL: We at BJL really hope to see growth in the community and recognize how much has changed for the better. I do have one more question on behalf of our readers. What can our youth do to break into the political arena? What can they do to be more proactive and contribute to the community? How can they turn involvement with non-governmental organizations into involvement on a State and Federal level?

Councilman Lancman: Well one thing that every Bukharian should take upon him or herself is to get out there and register to vote and then come out to vote for whoever they may feel is the best choice. The next thing would be to actually contribute time and skills to organizations within the community. People who are willing to put in the time and contribute their talent will end up making a big difference for those organizations and will be empowering their community.

Ultimately, anybody in the Bukharian community interested in the political world needs to earn their “stripes” in the Bukharian communal world. When they then go out to the political arena, they will be viewed as legitimate representatives and voices of their community. There are no shortcuts to political involvement. Do the work on the ground and make sure to collaborate with the elected leadership. Follow these steps and you will see yourself make real contributions to the Bukharian community at large.

BJL: That’s a great amount of valuable information from an experienced voice of the Queens community. Thank you for your time. Please remind our readers when the reelection bid will be.

Councilman Rory Lancman: Election Day is November 7, and everyone should come out to vote. They should also be aware that after each election vote, the political powers-that-be come out and see which communities voted and which communities didn’t. You want to be in the column of the voting, not the non-voting.

BJL: Thank you very much, and best of luck on November 7!