Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (D-Forest Hills), Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Whitestone), and Council Member Karen Koslowitz (D-Forest Hills) convened the 2nd Bi-Annual Jewish Leadership Breakfast on Thursday, October 28. With community affairs officers from the New York Police Department’s 112th Precinct present, Jewish Leaders from various Queens based organizations were able to share concerns they had about the state of the Jewish Community. Also up for discussion was the need for New York City and State agencies to be more responsive to issues specifically facing the Jewish Community. The roundtable was deemed successful with the goal of convening a summit in the coming months that would include more officials from State and City agencies.

Assemblyman Hevesi, Senator Stavisky, and Council Member Koslowitz conceptualized the Jewish Leadership Breakfast in early 2011, with their first roundtable taking place in May. The legislators view the breakfast as an opportunity to engage in a casual constructive dialogue about issues that are pertinent to the Jewish community in Queens.

“It was a very productive breakfast, we touched on some great issues and left with a clear plan about how we are going to move forward,” Hevesi said. “I’m looking forward to continuing this dialogue with leaders in the Jewish community.”

“At the 2nd Jewish Leadership Breakfast we discussed key issues and matters with the 112th Precinct.” Koslowitz said. “It is a great forum to connect with Jewish leaders who work with their members to improve the quality of life in Forest Hills and Rego Park.”

“This was a valuable meeting where we as legislators could discuss issues with religious leaders and formulate plans for the community,” Sen. Stavisky said. “We have a framework on which to build for the future.”