The Great Neck Public Schools United Parent-Teacher Council (UPTC) and Adult Program, along with Womanspace, are sponsoring "Working Together to Build a Better Great Neck" on Sunday, Oct. 29, 1 to 4 p.m. at the Cumberland Adult Center. Billed as "a multiethnic conference to celebrate our differences and our commonalities," this program is a welcome event in our community.

Over the years, Great Neck has become an increasingly diverse community. And while some enjoy the opportunities afforded by such a rich mix, others continue to fight anything they view as "different."

We do believe that sometimes discrimination, or just plain distancing yourself from others, is simply due to a lack of knowledge --- a lack of knowledge about people from other countries, their history, their values, their customs. Then, when we get to know these people, we see that they are "just people," our neighbors and maybe soon our friends.

Different does not mean "wrong" or "unacceptable." Different probably means just that, "different." And the more we learn about others, the more we can appreciate their history, the more they can appreciate our own individual histories. With knowledge comes appreciation of others, an enjoyment of their cultures, and, in the end, a realization that we do have so much in common, as well as so much to share.

Keynote speaker, Dr. Ronald Friedman, superintendent of the Great Neck Public Schools, will offer an overview of the subject, followed by small group discussions. It is the hope of all involved in this unique program that, at the end, during a social period, some new friendships will be made and some old stereotypes broken.

Do come and meet some "old" neighbors and some "new" friends. Learn that much of the wonder of our own very special Great Neck community lies with the wonderful mix of people right in your own backyard.

Just call the Adult Program at 773-1713 to reserve your spot for an enriching afternoon!

- Wendy Karpel Kreitzman