NEW YORK, Sept. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Council of Jewish Emigre Community Organizations (COJECO), the central coordinating body in the Russian-speaking Jewish community of NY that was formed in 2001 to facilitate successful integration process of Russian-speaking Jews into the mainstream Jewish community and the greater American society has elected Edward Mermelstein President of the organization.
Mermelstein, 45, is a Russian-American real estate attorney, consultant and developer based in New York City. He is a co-founder of the law firm, Rheem Bell & Mermelstein, LLP, for whom he is a partner. Mermelstein has been named as one of the 10 most powerful players in New York real estate by the Commercial Observer, and is regularly featured in the media for his top-tier deals on behalf of international investors. Mermelstein is an active philanthropist, serving on the boards of UJA-Federation of NY, Russian-American Jewish Experience (RAJE), Manhattan Youth Ballet, and more. Wexner Fellowship has formed a first ever Russian-speaking Cohort that Mermelstein has participated in for the past year. He was born in Ukraine and emigrated to the United States in 1976.
"There are hundreds of thousands of Russian-speaking Jews in the U.S., and I am excited to be a part of the important initiatives of the Russian-speaking Jewish community. There are so many vital programs, and it's a great time for us to do even more," said Edward Mermelstein, President of COJECO.
COJECO serves as a bridge between the Russian Jewish community and the American Jewish community by providing: - Informal Jewish education - Leadership training - Assistance to American Jewish organizations in developing culturally sensitive and appropriate programs for Russian-speaking Jews. - Financial and program development assistance to its member organizations.
SOURCE Council of Jewish Emigre Community Organizations (COJECO)
