August 9, 2023 (New York, NY) – Responding to the rapidly growing opioid overdose crisis among the Bukharian Jewish community in Queens, twelve community-based institutions will now provide free Narcan kits on request. Spearheaded by UJA-Federation of New York, this first-of-its-kind initiative brings together The Jewish Board (a licensed Narcan provider) with the local institutions that will distribute the kits to community members. Each community site will have a point of contact responsible for training and for distribution of Narcan to any community member who may want or need a kit.
The 12 community distribution sites include:
- Bukharian Jewish Congregation of Briarwood, Briarwood
- LeFrak City Jewish Center, Corona
- Kehilat Sephardim of Ahavat Achim, Flushing
- Netzach Outreach, Flushing
- Anshey Shalom, Forest Hills
- Beth Gavriel Bukharian Congregation, Forest Hills
- Bukharian Jewish Community Center, Forest Hills
- Emet Outreach, Fresh Meadows
- Shaare Shlomo, Fresh Meadows
- Bukharian Jewish Congregation of Jamaica Estates, Jamaica Estates
- House of Torah, Jamaica Estates
- Congregation Ner Mordechai, Kew Gardens
“This program is a proactive effort to address the challenge of opioid-related incidents within the Bukharian Jewish community. By distributing Narcan kits at trusted and known community institutions, we are making the kits much more accessible and hopefully helping prevent overdose deaths,” said David Aronov, special advisor community and external relations, UJA-Federation of New York. “We thank The Jewish Board and our twelve community partners for working on this critical initiative.”
“The Jewish Board has supported those in the Jewish community struggling with addiction for over forty years, and our commitment to combating this crisis is stronger than ever. This partnership is a powerful step toward addressing the opioid overdoses that continue to rise and steal the lives of our loved ones,” said Rivka Nissel, LCSW, director of Jewish community services at the Jewish Board.
New York City Health reported 2,668 overdose deaths in 2021, an increase from 2,103 deaths in 2020. Also in NYC, for the fifth year in a row, fentanyl was the most common substance involved, present in 80% of overdose deaths in 2021.
For more information on accessing Narcan, please contact The Jewish Board’s Devora Jaye at 347.735.0583 or JCSrecovery@jbfcs.org. For information on this program, please contact Emily Kutner at or 212.836.1800.