Jeffrey Levine honored for industry contributions.

Over 300 people paid tribute to Jeffrey E. Levine, president of Levine Builders, as he received the American ORT Community Achievement Award, in recognition of his many professional contributions to the real estate industry, from the Real Estate and Construction Industry Chapter of American ORT at the chapter's 2005 annual luncheon in New York City.

The event raised $350,000 to benefit the ORT Help for Students in Need program, which provides hot meals, transportation, tuition assistance, clothing and school supplies to ORT Israel students whose families are facing financial difficulties. One in seven people in Israel lives below the poverty line.

"Jeffrey Levine possesses a significant track record as a builder and a fine individual. We could not be happier with our choice of honoree," said Chapter president Arnold Penner.

Emmy Award-winning Barbara Laskin, of Laskin Media, Inc., was the afternoon's emcee. She introduced Naomi Atzpour, a student at the ORT Afridar School in Ashkelon. Atzpour spoke about her school and shared with the audience her personal experiences as a student, citing how grateful she is to ORT for providing her with a nurturing, supportive environment unique from other schools in Israel. She praised her teachers for "investing in me as a student."

Past American ORT honoree Jonathan L. Mechanic, head of the real estate division of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, presented the award.

"I feel truly honored that American ORT has chosen to honor me with their 2005 ORT Community Achievement Award. With over 300,000 students in 60 countries, ORT is recognized throughout the real estate industry and throughout the world as a leader in education," said Levine.

Levine is a respected, accomplished builder, with an impressive list of credits to his name. As president of Levine Builders since 1979, he has directed the new construction or rehabilitation of thousands of residential units. He has helped build or renovate millions of s/f of commercial space.

Levine sits on the board of governors of both the Associated Builders and Owners of Greater New York and the Real Estate Board of New York. He served as president of the Queens County Builders and Contractors Association for two consecutive terms and currently sits on its board of directors. Levine is also currently a member of the board of directors of the Citizens Housing and Planning Council, the New York Housing Conference, the New York Building Conference, the National Association of Home Builders, the New York State Builders Association, the New York State Association for Affordable Housing and the Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens.