Among the kiruv organizations in Queens, the Jewish Education Program (JEP) was the first on the scene, providing some of the earlier Bukharian immigrant children in public schools with Jewish programming. For many such students, the release-time programs offered by JEP served as a gateway towards further personal Jewish observance. “With my two sisters, we attended PS 220. JEP impacted us in a positive way. It connected us to Jews in the area,” said Avital Yusupov.
Last Sunday, June 10, JEP had its Annual Breakfast, which honored Avital Yusupov and her husband Azariy, along with two other couples, Albart & Ilana Aranbayev, and Solomon & Susanna Matatov, who shared similar stories of parents who attended public school as children, grew in their observance as a result of JEP, and are now raising their own children in a fully observant setting that includes Jewish education.
In the 45 years since its founding, JEP has expanded to cover more than 20 Queens public schools in its release-time programming. When a public school child expresses interest in transferring to a yeshivah, JEP arranges for scholarships, special events, and summer camp. “At its height, the program transferred 30 to 40 percent of its public school students toyeshivos,” said Rabbi Hayim Schwartz, Executive Vice President of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim. “Since its founding, JEP programs have been staffed by my Chofetz Chaim students.”
Longtime program supporters Rabbi Chaim Pearl and his wife Sunni were honored for providing Shabbaton hosting to JEP participants. “To save a Jewish life is to save a whole world. It is a pleasure to host these kids. They are respectful and we do not disappoint them,” said Rabbi Pearl. A longtime educator at the Yeshiva of Central Queens, he has seen some of the Shabbos guests become his students after transferring out of public school. “Numerous JEP children have been hosted at the Pearl home,” said Queens JEP Director Rabbi Yaakov Finestone. “A Shabbaton is a life-changing experience.”
Shmuli Berger and his wife Leah were also honored for hosting students and organizing programs, where students often received prizes for participating. “The prizes aren’t that great, so I know there’s something more to it,” said Berger. “This award is for the team at PS 117, who have given up their one-and-a-half-hour lunch break to learn about their Jewish heritage.” Berger recalled his most memorable JEP effort three years ago, when a blizzard occurred on Purim. Determined to bring the simchah to his students, he wore a gorilla costume under his jacket, encouraged by his wife. But before ringing doorbells in a blizzard, he ultimately removed the face mask. It was surprising enough to receive sweets under such circumstances. “Mock weddings, parshah plays, Jeopardy trivia challenges, challah baking – this is what we do.”
Rabbi Uriel Nashofer and his wife Shifra also received this year’s Kiruv Rechokim Award, stemming from their programs in schools in Kew Gardens and Richmond Hill. Rabbi Yaakov Feldstein, the breakfast chairman, noted that the public school children benefiting from JEP programs live in the same neighborhoods as JEP leaders and supporters. “They live on our blocks and play alongside our children in our parks. Their parents shop in the same local stores as us. By introducing unaffiliated families to Yiddishkeit, JEP is developing their commitment to Jewish learning and involvement in the community. This helps strengthen our Jewish neighborhoods.”
JEP has had a major impact in our community for 45 years. You can reach Rabbi Finestone at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
By Sergey Kadinsky
JEP Alums Building Jewish Families: Honoring Those Who’ve Grown
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