Brooklyn, NY – Over 200 law enforcement personnel and community leaders gathered in Williamsburg yesterday to show their appreciation to a group of sheriffs from both New York and New Jersey for their efforts on behalf of the Jewish community, particularly during the busy summer months.

Professor Harry Reicher, who opened the event, explained the Jewish custom of hakaras hatov, showing appreciation, by telling all those gathered that the purpose of the day’s program was to give the leadership of the Jewish community the opportunity to express its gratitude to law enforcement for all their efforts, especially during the summer months when so many travelers make their way between the greater New York City area and the Catskills. Professor Reicher also thanked community leader Rabbi Abe Friedman for organizing the event and serving as a liaison between law enforcement, police agencies and the Jewish community.

The next speaker, Albany County Acting Sheriff Craig Apple, explained that he traveled the long distance from Albany to Brooklyn with his colleagues to demonstrate his commitment to working with the Jewish community. Renesslaer County Sheriff and President of the New York State Sheriff’s Association, Jack Mahar, echoed those words, saying how he has developed a warm working relationship with leaders of the Jewish community in just a short time and how proud he was to be receiving an award for his efforts.

Newly elected Bergen County Sheriff and former Police Chief of Emerson, New Jersey, Mike Saudino, expressed his sincere thanks to the community leaders for their cooperation in working with his office.

Also receiving awards for their work were Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith, Orange County Sheriff Carl E. DuBois and Greene County Sheriff Gregory R. Seeley.

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(YWN Desk – NYC)