As part t of Jewish Heritage Month, on Sunday State Senator Jeff Klein held his First Annual 'Celebrate Israel in the Bronx' event. This event occur ed in two parts with part one being held at the Riverdale Y to honor three very special Riverdalians. Jewish American Heritage Month is a national month of recognition of the more than 350-year history of Jewish contributions to American society and culture.
Senator Klein honored important leaders in the community who are making a difference. The three honorees in Riverdale were.
Charles Moerdler, a partner at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, has been an active public servant for years. For more than a decade, he has held an array of high-level positions serving the state of New York including as a member of the New York City Housing Development Corp., the New York City Board of Collective Bargaining, and most recently, as Vice Chairman of the Committee on Character and Fitness of Applicants to the Bar of the State of New York. Mr. Moerdler is also a trustee of St. Barnabas Hospital, member of the advisory board to the School of International Affairs at Columbia University and Chair of Bronx Community Board #8’s Land Use Committee.
Mark Friedlander, who retired last week, served as a justice for The Bronx County Supreme Court for more than a decade. Previously, Mr. Friedlander was commissioner and president of the New York City Tax Appeals Tribunal and as a Captain Judge for the United States Air Force. Mark’s civic activities have included his service as President of the Riverdale Jewish Community Council, Chairman of Bronx Community Board #8, Vice President of Young Israel of Riverdale and more.
Farrah Rubin grew up in Riverdale and attended Riverdale Country Day School. Ms. Rubin currently serves as Development Director for the Kingsbridge-Riverdale-Van Cortlandt Development Corporation and as parents’ association co-president at P.S. 24. In 2012, Ms. Rubin lead the effort to provide teaching assistants in every kindergarten classroom and has also implemented the school’s first sustainable recycling program.
Senator Klein told the story of his grand parents and how they met. He also mentioned that as a little boy he asked his grandmother why she had no other relatives. It was later on in life that he would learn the reason why, that being because of the Holocaust where the entire town and all its people (with some exceptions such as his grandmother who had left one year before the Holocaust) who were exterminated by Nazi Germany.
Above - The proclamation each honoree was given by Senator Klein.
Below - Three members of Metropolitan Kiezmer who provided live Israeli music.
Above - Senator Klein tells of the story he had asked of his grandmother one Passover Seder night as a young boy. Klein also spoke of his trip to Israel, and of seeing the 'Terror Tunnels' that were used to kidnap and kill innocent Israeli citizens.
Below - Charles Moerdler holds up his proclamation with Senator Klein.
Above - Mr. Moerdler has only kind words for Senator Klein, calling Klein one of the hardest working, most honest elected officials
Below - Former Judge Mark Friedlander shakes hands with Senator Klein, also thanking the senator for the proclamation given to him.
Outgoing PS 24 P.A. President Farah Rubin listens as Senator Klein tells of her hard work at PS 24 on behalf of all the children who attend the school.
All who attended were treated to a buffet of Glatt Kosher sandwiches, sides, soda, cookies, and Kosher pickles.
