They’re still talking about it!!!

Three months after a pre-Pesach food distribution of major proportions took place in the heart of Williamsburg, they still talk about.  But this time, they were talking about it at Borough Hall.

On Tuesday evening, July 15th, Brooklyn Borough President, Marty Markowitz, paid tribute to UJCARE by honoring the volunteers of SABAINU, the UJCARE project that distributed over 200 tons of fresh fruits and vegetables for the Pesach Holiday (reported HERE on WYN)

The Borough President had only moments to meet, greet and congratulate UJCARE’s Executive Vice President, Rabbi Leib Glanz, before being called away for a family emergency.  Apologetically, Borough President Markowitz sent a personal congratulatory letter to Rabbi Glanz, highlighted in bold type with the word, “BRAVO”.

Borough Hall, however, was well represented by Assistant to the Borough President, Yvonne Graham and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Bella Vais, as the event drew over 200 guests, including dozen’s of dignitaries, filling the upstairs courtroom, the most prestigious room in the house.

Ms. Graham eloquently described the April 13th event, praising the sacrifice and servitude of the seventy volunteers who made the distribution possible.

Rabbi Glanz not only thanked Marty Markowitz and his Borough Hall staff for hosting and arranging the tribute, but took the opportunity to pay his own tribute to those dignitaries who stood by him through the years and now stand by UJCARE through its growth.

New York State Assemblyman, Joseph Lentol became emotional as he addressed the crowd from the podium, recounting his years of service and his affinity to the Jewish community.  Assemblyman Lentol expressed pride in praising the work of the organization and congratulating its honorees.  Rabbi Glanz joined Assemblyman Lentol in a special presentation to the Williamsburg Shomrim Patrol.  The Patrol spent the evening hours before the Pesach distribution into the early hours of the morning making arrangements and setting up barricades to direct traffic for the event, and continued to coordinate traffic and crowd control until the event ended late Sunday night.  Accepting on behalf of the Shomrim were coordinators Yanky Itzkowitz & Zalman Leib Hoffman.

Rabbi Bernard Freilich, Assistant Superintendent of the New York State Police, always referred to, endearingly, by Rabbi Glanz as his brother, praised the Shomirim “for their years of service to the community… serving with pride… serving with purpose”.

Councilman Simcha Felder shared his public acknowledgement of UJCARE’s outstanding work and service to the community, reaffirming his commitment to supporting an agency of their caliber.

Rabbi Glanz then singled out Joel Vitriol, the first Chassidic police officer, presenting him with a special award as top brass of the NYPD looked on.

Howard Katz, UJCARE’s Executive Director, delivered a crowd pleasing “Drasha”, masterfully employing Pirkei Avos (Ethics of Our Fathers) and Parshas (Torah portion) Pinchas to express his gratitude to the leadership behind UJCARE and his staff. 

“Baruch She’Bochar Bahem”, he quoted.  “Blessed is He (G-d) who has chosen them (these special individuals) who have sacrificed for the community.  But G-d does not just drop such individuals on your doorstep”, he continued.  “It takes other motivated individuals to identify, coordinate and organize such outstanding personalities.  ‘Baruch She’Bochar Bahem’, Blessed is “he”, the one who identified and organized and coordinated “them”, the volunteers who served our Jewish community.  That “he” may go under many titles, but to me “he” is my right arm… That he is Mayer Berkowitz.”  Mr. Berkowitz serves as UJCARE’s Planning Coordinator and Director of Special Projects.

Mr. Katz then acknowledged Yoeli Lefkowitz as the “encyclopedia of who’s who in the world of politics and community service, in order to pull off an event of this magnitude”.  Mr. Lefkowitz serves as UJACRE’s Government Relations.

In a powerful analogy, Mr. Katz proclaimed that “within our midst was a Pinchas ben Elozer ben Aharon HaKohen, who is described as an individual who saw what needed to be done and responded to the need, taking action without stopping to question or justify his actions.  But to be a Pinchas, you must have the heart of a lion.  To be a Pinchas, you must be an Aryeh Leib”…  Before he could finish his remarks, the crowd began to applaud.  He then completed, “To be a Pinchas, you must be Rabbi Leib Glanz”, as the volume of applause shook the courtroom.

He concluded his remarks by addressing the 70 volunteers.  “Kinegged” the 70 souls that accompanied Yaakov Avinu down to Egypt, these 70 souls (the volunteers), in celebration of the Exodus from Egypt, represented and fed their community”.

A special acknowledgement went to Rabbi Yoel Eisdorfer for his invaluable contribution in arranging the SABAINU activities and organizing the Borough Hall celebration.

Among the notable community leaders who attended the event was Rabbi Simcha Barnath, representing Borough Park Shomrim.  Rabbi Barnath also serves as Chaplain to the Sullivan County Sheriff’s department.

Notable guests also included Rabbi Shea Hecht, Chairman of the Board of the National Committee for the Furtherance of Jewish Education; City Council candidate Evan Thies; City Council candidate, Isaac Abraham; Congressional candidate, Kevin Powell; and David Pollack, Associate Executive Director, Jewish Community Relations Council.

After the courtroom ceremony a beautifully catered reception was held in honor of UJCARE, SABAINU and its volunteers.

(Moshe Altusky – YWN NYC)