QJCC Honors the ABA at its Exclusive 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner Event

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On Tuesday August 21st, the Queens Jewish Community Council (QJCC) celebrated 50 years of excellent service. A dinner was held at the prestigious Da Mikele Illagio event hall. Many seasoned politicians and statesmen attended this event in support of an organization which has helped resolve the social issues of so many Jews who made their nest in New York.

But the night was not just about the QJCC, it was also in honor of those groups and organizations which the QJCC recognized and honored for their excellent work, service, and promise. At the event, the Queens Jewish community got a taste of the great work and service being done for the betterment of Jews all over North America. We are therefore proud to announce that the Alliance of Bukharian Americans (ABA) was recognized by the QJCC for being instrumental in the political growth and representation of the united Bukharian Jewish communities of North America.

The ABA was honored with the QJCC Young Leadership Award, which, as President Michael Nussbaum of the QJCC stated, is given in honor of the organization which takes upon its shoulders the great responsibility of pulling its community into the spotlight. This award recognizes the ABA’s immense efforts in building the political infrastructure which now serves as a solid foundation for the ever-growing opportunities awaiting the Bukharian community’s attention. The ABA’s work shows promise because it is exactly the kind of effort which attracts more government programs, funding and attention.

Guest Speakers of the event included the Mayor of New York City, Mr. Bill De Blasio, the Consul General of Israel in New York, Mr. Dani Dayan, and Queens’ Borough President, Melinda Katz. The honorees of the event also spoke, including Jerry Lippman (Publisher of Long Island Jewish World), Michael Zavolunov (Restaurateur, Caterer and Champion of Israel), and Assemblyman Daniel Rosenthal in honor of the late Hon. Michael Simanowitz. However, the keynote for the Bukharian community was when David Mordukhaev, Chairman of the ABA, was invited to say a few words to the attending guests.

David opened his speech with a world renowned quote from Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers): “Hillel said… in a place where there are no leaders, strive to provide leadership.” He then explained how a group of ambitious Bukharian Jewish Americans here in Queens formed an organization to unite the Bukharian communities of North America, while also providing a yet unparalleled level of representation towards local, state and federal elected officials. Finally, he proudly announced the full support which the ABA receives from the Chief Bukharian Rabbinate, which is under the guiding helm of the Chief Bukharian Rabbi, Harav Yitzchak Yisraeli.

The night was important for the Queens Jewish Community for many reasons, including the unity shown by the great ethnic variety of attending guests. However, for the Bukharian community, this dinner held a special place. The ABA is grateful, honored and humbled to accept the QJCC Young Leadership Award in recognition of its work for the Bukharian community, and would like to wish all the other honorees and guests at the event continued success. Together, we will continue to make a difference, have our collective voice heard, and make a lasting impact for the benefit of our future generations.