The Boro Park Jewish Community Council (BPJCC) had the privilege of hosting US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) this past week at the home of board member Yidel Perlstein. In a room filled with community leaders, the newly constituted Board of Directors of the Boro Park JCC, and joined by Congressman Jerry Nadler, and Councilman David Greenfield, Senator Gillibrand praised the commitment and dedication to service found among members of the Boro Park Jewish community and the vast array of organizations and groups that are there to assist those in need. In his introduction of the Senator, Met Council CEO Willie Rapfogel , spoke about the unity present in Boro Park and how all the various groups have come together to help those less fortunate.

Senator Gillibrand cited as her inspiration the Biblical story of Queen Esther who was advised by her Uncle Mordechai that she was put in the position she was to help save her people, even at great personal risk. Similarly, we as community leaders or elected officials are put in the positions we are to do important things to help others. Continuing on this vein, the Senator said she sees her job in the Senate to “help those with no voice, and to be an advocate for things that need advocacy.” As some examples she cited her recent efforts in the Senate to fight cuts to important programs affecting our community such as Section 8 Housing Assistance, early childhood education and Women and Children’s Nutrition (WIC).

Turning to foreign policy and national security issues, Senator Gillibrand reminded her audience that we must be constantly vigilant as New York remains a top terror target and that she has worked hard to ensure that we receive sufficient funding to combat terror activities.

In perhaps the most moving part of the afternoon, Senator Gillibrand spoke about her advocacy on behalf of Jacob Ostreicher, a Boro Park resident who has been imprisoned in Bolivia for close to a year without any formal charges being brought against him. The Senator, who recently met with Jacob Ostreicher’s wife, expressed grave concern for his well being, as he has been on a hunger strike and his life may be at risk. The Senator felt that there are “criminal elements” in Bolivia that are trying to keep him in jail and that together with a bipartisan group of Senators, she has engaged Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the State Department to advocate on behalf of Mr. Ostreicher with the highest levels of the Bolivian government.

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