Celebrating Human Greatness

A gala event entitled “Celebrating Human Greatness,” provided a time for tranquil reflection and appreciation of others for a group of about 60 Queens women of varied ages and backgrounds.

In order to celebrate 30 years of service in the U.S., the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization hosted the gathering at Maurya Cuisine of India, located at 63-98 Woodhaven Boulevard in Rego Park.

Victoria Schneps-Yunis, president of Schneps Communications, was the guest of honor on Tuesday April 8.

Brahma Kumaris is an organization run by women with approximately 800,000 members in more than 8,500 centers all over the world - including four in New York in Elmhurst, Great Neck, Manhattan and the Catskills.

Affiliated with the United Nations, their mission is to bring peace everywhere by stimulating public conversations on the importance of positive thinking, spiritual, moral and ethical values, and meditation.

After a motivational song was performed by Music Under New York (MUNY) member Martina Bruno, Schneps-Yunis spoke about how she has been challenged during her multi-careered life and what has inspired her.

“How do we know what’s in us until we’re challenged?” asked Schneps-Yunis, who was a teacher before creating The Queens Courier.

Shortly after, the women in the audience divided into groups of three to share their own stories. “We wanted to create a dialogue to give people insight into their inner strength,” said Linda Krentzman, a national team organizer for almost 15 years who moderated the evening.

“It really made me realize how much is going on out in the world and how just one person’s passion and determination and love can make a difference,” said Angi Purinton, 25, who learned about the organization through a friend and has been taking their lifelong learning courses for about a month. “I was so content listening to stories that inspired me and meeting new people.”

(Published in The Queens Courier)