New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer hosted his annual Jewish Heritage and Culture celebration on Dec 1st, at Surrogates Courthouse in lower Manhattan. Hundreds attended the celebration at which Comptroller Stringer honored three pillars of New York City’s Jewish community: Ruth Lichtenstein, Rabbi Andy Bachman, and the Chevra Hatzalah Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

“New York City has the largest Jewish community outside of Israel and we have a responsibility to celebrate and pass on our heritage.” Comptroller Stringer said “Across the globe, we are seeing more and more hatred and violence — and terrorist attacks have become a near-daily occurrence in Israel. In times like these, we must come together as a community and draw on the strength of our leaders. Without them, we wouldn’t be a community at all.”

Comptroller Stringer presented commendations to three distinguished leaders:

Ruth Lichtenstein, Director of Project Witness and Publisher of Hamodia, for her unwavering dedication to improving Holocaust education in the United States and around the world. As the founder of “Project Witness,” a groundbreaking initiative to preserve the history of the Holocaust for future generations, Ruth has set an international standard for incorporating the spiritual, ethical and intellectual into Holocaust education.

Rabbi Andy Bachman, Director of Jewish Content and Rituals at the 92nd Street Y, for developing a city-wide platform to discuss all issues related to Jewish-American life while helming a service initiative which brings together volunteers from the 92nd Street Y to improve our City. The former senior rabbi at Congregation Beth Elohim in Brooklyn and a founder of “Brooklyn Jews,” a non-denominational, alternative Jewish community for 20 and 30 year olds, Rabbi Bachman has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to service to his community.

Chevra Hatzalah, the volunteer ambulance corps, for serving and protecting City residents since 1965 at no cost. Operating 85 ambulances in New York State, and staffed by more than 1,000 volunteers, Chevra Hatzalah responds to over 75,000 emergencies every year. Their EMS and Paramedics literally put their lives and jobs and families on hold to help others in need.

Group photo left to right: Vocalist Michoel Pruzansky, New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer, honoree Rabbi Andy Bachman, accepting for Chevra Hatzalah David Shipper, board member / coordinators of Chevra Hatzalah Zelig Gitelis and Issac Unger, not on photo but also an honoree Ruth Lichtenstein.

(YWN Desk – NYC)