Councilman David G. Greenfield held his second annual volunteer appreciation dinner Sunday night, motzai tzom gedalya, to recognize more than 150 volunteers representing a dozen outstanding community organizations serving Boro Park and the surrounding communities. The volunteers enjoyed a catered dinner at the Boro Park Y after breaking their fast, followed by a speech by world-renowned motivational speaker Charlie Harary. Councilman Greenfield, who holds this event each year as an opportunity to show his and the entire community’s appreciation for these volunteers, recognized and thanked each organization for their hard work throughout the year on behalf of their neighbors.
“People always ask, what makes me tick, what gets me out of bed in the morning. The answer is simple. It is knowing that the work I do each day reflects the work you all do. The same late hours, the same commitment to the community, we are all working together. I get my strength from all that you do, so I want to thank you for that. I’m privileged to represent the people in this room and to fight with you on behalf of all those who are too busy or unable to fight for themselves,” said Councilman Greenfield.
After introducing several elected officials and community leaders to the audience, including Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, State Senator Simcha Felder, State Senator Eric Adams, Assemblyman Bill Colton and Bensonhurst activist Mark Treyger, Councilman Greenfield thanked all of the groups in attendance and briefly spoke about the incredible and unique service they each provide to the community. The groups recognized included Boro Park Shomrim, Hatzolah of Boro Park, Chaverim, Mekimi, Chesed Shel Emes, Yad Ephraim, Tomche Shabbos, Bikur Cholim of Boro Park, Renewal, Chesed, Dror and Community Board 12.
Councilman Greenfield then introduced the event’s main speaker, Charlie Harary. “In our community, we now have someone who is literally a world-renowned motivational speaker and who really understands chesed. This is someone who gave up a career in corporate law because he wanted to help the community. He is someone who really inspires, so it is a pleasure and privilege to have him here tonight,” said Councilman Greenfield.
Harary’s speech focused on what made the greatest leader the Jewish people ever had, Moshe Rabeinu, so unique. He explained that Hashem saw in Moshe his concern for every single person and even for a single sheep from his herd. Hashem concluded that Moshe represents what a true leader is supposed to be, whether it comes to his sheep or the Jewish people, which is why he chose Moshe to lead the Bnai Yisroel out of Egypt. Harary then drew a comparison between Moshe Rabeinu’s legacy of performing chesed to anyone in need, no matter their status, to the incredible work the volunteers do on behalf of complete strangers. Harary reminded the volunteers that as Jews enter Yom Kippur, Hashem looks at the people in this room and recognizes them as the children of Moshe who follow in his footsteps and give of their time and energy to improve the lives of others, no matter who they are or where they come from.
Following Harary’s speech, Councilman Greenfield recalled an incident from his youth that showed him that it’s not only important to help others, but to do so in a way that does not embarrass the recipient. While in Eretz Yisroel for his Bar Mitzvah, Councilman Greenfield, then 12 years old, slipped and broke his leg. He was sitting in his wheelchair waiting for his family one day when he had just finished a soda. He was still holding the empty cup when a woman came by and dropped some money in it, mistaking him for a beggar. Recalling the embarrassment he felt at the time, Councilman Greenfield noted the importance of performing acts of charity in a caring and sensitive manner.
“It occurred to me, a lot of people want to do chesed and want to make a difference on behalf of their community, but don’t know how to get started. You are providing chesed in a way that people appreciate and you are not embarrassing them. To do it in a most respectful way, to be there for people, is just incredible. I just want to thank all of you for the chesed you perform and for doing it the right way,” concluded Councilman Greenfield.
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When I was in the hospital a lady from yad Ephraim brought me soup. I was nauseous from the anesthesia and this soup was the only thing I could eat. That was 3 1/2 years ago and I still remember the soup and the kind lady.