Steingold, Jay.

Jay Steingold was a pioneer of integrated housing and an advocate for human rights. In the 1960s and 1970s, many New York City neighborhoods began experiencing the phenomenon of block-busting and redlining. As a resident of Laurelton, a New York City neighborhood experiencing these problems, Mr. Steingold attempted to stop them and create an integrated neighborhood for everyone.

When Mr. Steingold first came to Laurelton in 1957, the community was predominantly made up of Irish, Italian and Jewish families. In the early 1960s, he noticed a disturbing trend in which real estate agents were block-busting in Laurelton. In 1964 to combat this, he and 25 residents founded the Laurelton Fair Housing Council (LFHC) sponsored by Laurelton Jewish Center with grants from the Fund for the City of New York for creating an experimental housing stabilization program. Furthermore, LFHC participated in a complaint against a block-busting real estate agent and a lawsuit against John P. Lomenzo, the Secretary of State of the State of New York. The documents do not mention when Mr. Steingold stopped working for the LFHC.

In 1972, Mr. Steingold co-founded the Federation of Laurelton Block Associations (FLBA), now the Federated Blocks of Laurelton, serving as its first president. Its mission was to maintain a stable, integrated, attractive, and desirable community for Laurelton. There were many programs held by the Federation of Laurelton Block Associations including "Marketing Laurelton". It was one of the advertising and publicity campaigns designed to educate the community; convince white residents to stay; and most of all attract new home buyers. In addition, both in 1972 and 1975, "Neighborhood Action Program", "Laurelton Action Plan", "Walking Night", and "Cinderella Housing" were taken in hopes of revitalizing 141 Avenue and Merrick Boulevard in Laurelton. By the 1981, the Federation grew to include some 150 block associations and attracted people regardless of race, creed or religion to work together toward common goals.

Mr. Steingold represented and advocated for Laurelton residents on Community Planning Board #13, and Queens Borough President's Overall Economic Development Program Committee. He was on the board of the Queens Jewish Community Council, the Queens Division of the American Jewish Congress, and the Laurelton Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Furthermore, he was a Vice-President of Temple Beth El and Chairman of its Social Action Committee, a member of the Metropolitan Council and the National Governing Council of American Jewish Congress, and an Assistant Administrator of St. John's Episcopal Hospital, South Shore.

For his outstanding contribution and achievement in the community, Mr. Steingold was also the winner and honoree of many awards including New York City Commission of Human Rights' "Humanitarian Award", National Conference of Christians and Jews' "Builder of Brotherhood" Award, Senior Citizen Council's Senior Citizen Honoree, Citizen Committee for New York's "New Yorker for New York" Award, and FLBA's "Man-of-the-Year" Award.

From the description of Jay Steingold Papers, 1950-1986, 1965-198 . (Queens Borough Public Library). WorldCat record id: 174963533