I was honored to attend the NYPD High Holidays Briefing once again held at One Police Plaza on Monday, September 9. My day was set to have begun with New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the Community Affairs Unit, and the Office of Ethnic and Community Media for a Jewish media roundtable in advance of the Yamim Tovim at City Hall. Due to the mayor’s Covid diagnosis late in the morning, the roundtable was canceled. Instead, I joined my dear friend Pesach Osina and his colleagues at the New York City Council’s Community Engagement Division, where we discussed pertinent issues and preliminary concepts for the Council’s upcoming annual Chanukah celebration. I would also like to extend heartfelt mazal tov wishes to Moshe Davis of the mayor’s Community Affairs Unit on the birth of a son days ago.
At every major NYPD ceremony, the iconic voice of James Earl Jones can be heard calling the officers, “Heroes, Always Heroes.” Just as the NYPD hype film narrated by Jones concluded, the world began to mourn the loss of one of the most distinguished voices who also had one of the most memorable careers in acting and theater.
The briefing was once again held in memory of Reb Yankie “Jack” Meyer, founder of Misaskim, whose yahrzeit was this past Monday evening. The group’s president and newly installed CEO, Matis Soffer, were in attendance. I had the honor of introducing them to the commanding officers of both the 107th Police Precinct in Kew Gardens Hills, Captain Moe Tsang, and the commanding officer of the 102nd Police Precinct in Kew Gardens, Deputy Inspector Jeremy Kivlin. Special acknowledgements are also given to Rabbi Shlomo Nisanov, 107’s Clergy Liaison; Rabbi Daniel Pollack, 102’s Clergy Liaison, Alan Sherman; Queens Shmira Coordinator Avraham Pinkhasov; Simon Sebag of the Public Advocate’s office; and a host of other dignitaries who were present for the briefing.
The program included noteworthy remarks from Mark T. Stewart, Deputy Commissioner of the Community Affairs Bureau; Rabbi Dr. Alvin Kass, Chief Chaplain for the NYPD; Deputy Chief Richard S. Taylor, Commanding Officer of the NYPD’s Community Affairs Bureau Outreach Division; Ofir Akunis, Consul General of Israel in New York; and now former Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban, who personally thanked me for efforts of collaboration. The presence of First Deputy Commissioner Tania Kinsella and Chief of Department Jeffrey B. Maddrey was also an event highlight.
The program took off with the national anthem sung by international Chassidic musician Shulem Lemmer, who was recognizing the shloshim of his dearly departed father. I asked the singing sensation how he had the strength to get up on stage and share meaningful songs at such a time. Shulem, a friend, explained that his father taught that one must wake up every day to inspire others. I told Shalom that it is he who brings a smile to all those who hear his warm melodies. His father was known to say that one’s livelihood comes not from the customers who come into one’s store or business; rather it is all from the Almighty, and our efforts are only undertaken as a means to fulfill Hashem’s will.
It was an incredible day spent together with friends. I would like to name Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, Executive Vice-President of the Rabbinical Alliance of America; Duvi Honig, CEO of Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce; Pini Dunner, Chair of the Chamber’s West Coast Beverly Hills division; NYC Commissioner of International Affairs Edward Mermelstein; NYC Council Member Kalman Yeger; Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, Director of Agudah’s NY office, Shmira Founder Levi Leifer; and my friend Zev Brenner of the Talkline Radio Show. A hot buffet from Essen Deli was plentiful all afternoon. Together, we strengthen our communities and foster collaborations that transcend city borders. I look forward to more impactful initiatives and partnerships in the year ahead.
By Shabsie Saphirstein
