Councilwoman inspires Bukharian teens

Bridging the divide between Uzbekistan and Forest Hills, Jewish Child Care Association’s (JCCA) Bukharian Teen Lounge youth welcomed City Councilwoman Melinda Katz on January 24.
It was a return visit to the Teen Lounge for Katz who shared first-hand knowledge about the political process and her experiences as a member of the New York City Council. Participation in the political process is a new experience for these young people whose early years were spent in the Soviet Union.
JCCA’s Bukharian Teen Lounge, at the Central Queens YM/YWHA, helps high school- aged immigrants who are among the 35,000 Bukharian Jews who recently emigrated from the former Soviet Union to Queens. Teens meet after school to socialize, become involved with Jewish tradition and activities and participate in life-skills workshops, work internship programs and field trips.