Jewish Heritage Month Celebration at Young Israel of Pelham Parkway

 

Sunday at the Young Israel of Pelham Parkway was their celebration of Jewish Heritage Month. The guest speaker was Bronx Councilman and former teacher Eric Dinowitz. Councilman Dinowitz, who said he chairs the Jewish Caucus in the council, is from a neighboring council district, that he is proud of his Jewish upbringing, and mentioned the different sects of Judaism. Orthodox, Reform (such as his parents), and Conservative which he became at age fifteen. He spoke about his experience as a teacher, and how some of his students did not know the customs of Jewish people, which he taught them. He traveled the country and the globe visiting different Jewish communities, mentioning that the Jewish people were once slaves to the leaders of Egypt.  

Councilman Dinowitz said that while it may not happen in his lifetime that Anti-Semitism must be ended, as he gave several different examples of what Anti-Semitism is. He spoke of those groups like the DSA, The Jewish Vote, and Working Families Party use words like 'Social Justice' against Jewish people. 

Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez the representative of where the Young Israel of Pelham Parkway is spoke about sponsoring a resolution that Holocaust education be taught in the public schools. She added that the largest hate crime according to the police department is Anti-Semitism. 

Bronx Borough President Vanesa Gibson was a surprise guest who said that she was honored to attend this Jewish Heritage Month celebration. She added that all forms of hate must end, saying when you attack one of us, you attack all of us. BP Gibson said that she is a supporter of the police department, and is trying to work with individual precincts such as the 49th precinct to make sure the community is safe, because hate has no place in any community. The event was a huge success with an overflowing attendance for the Young Israel of Pelham Parkway. Congratulations to the planning committee Marcy Gross, Steve Glosser, Helen Segal, and Rabbi Ben Keil. 

Councilman Eric Dinowitz was the keynote speaker at the Young Israel of Pelham Parkway Jewish Heritage Month celebration.

Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez is introduced by Bronx Jewish Community Council President David Edelstein with Rabbi Ben Keil at the podium, and Judge candidate Yadhira Gonzalez-Taylor to the right of the councilwoman.

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson was a surprise guest at the event, said she has been to Israel, and supports the Jewish communities in the Bronx and citywide.

Music was provided by Simca the Master Violinist. 

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Deputy Bronx Borough President Janet Puguero, Marcy Gross and Steven Glosser of the Young Israel of Pelham Parkway.

(L - R) Judge candidate Yadhira Gonzalez-Taylor, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez, Deputy Borough President Janet Peguero, and Ms. Marcy Gross. 

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson with Steve Glosser of the Young Israel of Pelham Parkway, who is also the Vice-President of the Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association. 

Bronx Borough President pulls out a ticket for one of the raffle items, as Ms. Marcy Gross holds the bowl with the tickets.