Outgoing President Michael Nussbaum honored for lifetime commitment
As a guest of Linda Spiegel of Margaret Tietz and as a QJCC board member, I was privileged to attend one of the strongest shows of local solidarity for Israel to date. The dignitaries at the Queens Jewish Community Council’s 54th anniversary gala held at Da Mikele Illagio in Elmhurst on Sunday, October 18, all agreed to Israel’s obligation to destroy Hamas. The evening also paid tribute to the lifetime of commitment to the Jewish community of outgoing President Michael Nussbaum.
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Executive Vice President of the New York Board of Rabbis, recalled how parents of the children killed in a terror attack by a disco erected a monument emblazoned with the words, “We will not stop dancing.” Mike Nussbaum, he said, reminds all of us that “We are not going to stop living and loving as Jews.” He also noted how Nussbaum has always worked for Jews and non-Jews to stand united. Potasnik added, “The Cardinal of New York, His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan, called me from Rome and said, ‘I want you to tell all of your people that this Sunday in every church in the archdiocese a collection will be held for the People of Israel.’” At the conclusion of his remarks, each table passed around memorial candles that were lit in memory of those who lost their lives because they were Jews. It was poignant to watch dignitaries of all colors and creeds embrace the solemnity of the moment as they completed this ritual.
Tsach Saar, Deputy and Acting Consul General of Israel in New York, began his speech by saying that October 7 was Israel’s 9/11 and praised the US’ support in its wake. “The unwavering support from America has fortified us during this exceedingly challenging period and will play an instrumental role as we undertake a resolute campaign to dismantle Hamas and secure the release of the kidnapped hostages.” Saar then took global media to task for its disgraceful coverage. “The media holds an enormous amount of power, and it’s high time they wield it with the great responsibility it demands. Shoddy journalism doesn’t just expand the truth, it fuels violence and rips communities apart.” Saar stated, “It is one of the darkest times in our young nation’s history. However, Israel displayed tremendous resolve. This is what our enemies have always failed to understand. The tragedy only brings us closer together. Even beyond the physical borders of Israel, our community stands united because we know that this fight belongs to all of us.” The crowd erupted in applause to the resounding proclamation, “Never, ever again. We will bring the perpetrators to justice, we will prevail, and emerge from this stronger and more unified than anyone could ever have anticipated.”
In welcoming Mayor Eric Adams to the podium, Nussbaum praised the mayor’s dedicated staff, and acknowledged the negativity sadly clouding the mayor for speaking strongly on behalf of Israel and Jews worldwide. Menashe Shapiro, Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the Mayor, paid tribute to the life and legacy of Nussbaum, upon whom the advocacy of the Queens Jewish community has been built. “Having grown up in Queens, the name Michael Nussbaum has been synonymous with advocacy, the ability of the Jewish community to be heard, and the organization has grown under his leadership.” Shapiro reflected that the upcoming Queens Boro Hall Holocaust Memorial, one of Nussbaum’s endeavors, is more important now than ever. “The legacy of the Holocaust of 80 years ago resonates so much more deeply with all of us here today. That is going to be the enduring lasting contribution not just to the Queens community, but to the Jewish community throughout New York City, where everybody will come to Queens and see what happens when savagery and inhumanity goes unchecked and unrecognized.”
New York City famously is home to the largest Jewish population outside of Israel. Adams takes to heart his responsibilities to this community, stating it his duty to be a voice of common sense for the Jewish people as a tribute to the notable Jews who proudly stood side-by-side down South with African Americans during the civil rights movement. “There is a darkness that is all over our globe. We must start to shed the light and state that humanity is something that we are reaching for.” Adams explained that New York is the most important city on the globe and the country won’t stand tall if New York does not lead by example.
Adams emotionally expressed the extent to which the October 7 Massacre hit, citing how one ought to see his or her own child, sibling, or grandparent in the children that were slaughtered or kidnapped. “If you only see that a Jewish person went through a horrific condition and not that a human being went through a horrific condition and see it in yourself, then I have to ask, where is your humanity?” he questioned.
“I’m very proud of the 54 years the QJCC has put into this borough and into this city,” said Queens DA Melinda Katz, who has worked alongside Nussbaum while Borough President, Assemblymember, and Council Member. “You want someone who reminds you in case you ever forget, for a split second, that we serve the people of this city. Michael has never forgotten that.” On unity with Israel, Katz related, “It is not only Jewish in this room; there are elected officials from all over the borough, and from all over the world who are here tonight.” Katz noted the support of the New York Mets through Michael Sullivan, amongst businesses and judges who sit in solidarity with the Jewish community and encouraged all to keep the momentum over the weeks and months to follow.
New York City Council Member Lynn Schulman, a longtime friend of Nussbaum, spoke of his persistence in ensuring that the QJCC’s new home comes to fruition. On Israel, Schulman noted, “I was at a luncheon today with Holocaust victims in Queens. It broke my heart because they said that they were reliving the Holocaust again because of what’s happening in Israel. As the only Jewish member of the Queens delegation in the City Council, I stand in solidarity with Israel and I want you to know that the next time that we come together, I want it to be celebrating the destruction of Hamas.” Schulman was joined by colleagues Joann Ariola, Selvena Brooks-Powers, James Gennaro, Linda Lee, and Sandra Ung.
Assemblymember Sam Berger held a proclamation for Nussbaum as Assemblymember David Weprin spoke, calling Nussbaum “a great human being.” They were joined by colleagues Assemblymembers Ed Braunstein and Stacey Pheffer Amato, as well as State Senator John Liu and judicial candidate Evelyn Gong. Rabbi Daniel Pollack, Jewish liaison to Rep. Grace Meng, presented Nussbaum with a similar appreciation. Video addresses were delivered by Senator Charles Schumer, Attorney General Tish James, Reps. Greg Meeks and Meng, and Rabbi Michael Miller, CEO Emeritus of the JCRC-NY.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, who was set to head to Israel on a JCRC-NY educational mission, evoked the unity of Blacks and Jews during the civil rights movement and took note of recent “unspoken tension, but we stand together; this is a tough time, without a doubt. It is hard to celebrate on an evening like this when we know there are hostages and are reminded of that sheer brutality that all of us saw play out.” In supporting Israel’s right to defend herself, Richards spoke of Jewish resilience dating back to the Holocaust. “Then, we said never again. Well, we’re back here again. And we still will say never ever again.” Richards recognized Vladimir Epstein and Leonard Bard of Chicago, who proposed to Mike Nussbaum, Karen Koslowitz, and Barry Grodenchik amongst others, the idea of a Holocaust Memorial outside of Queens Borough Hall. Richards promised that the memorial, which is set to include reflective benches and the Star of David, is well underway, with appreciation to the Adams administration. The QJCC is organizing private funds for the construction.
Past president Warren Hecht and Rabbi David Keehn z”l originally approached Nussbaum with the opportunity to lead the QJCC. Nussbaum spoke of Keehn’s wisdom and guidance and noted the loss of Past President Jan Fenster. He acknowledged Executive Director Rabbi Mayer Waxman, whose immediate family is serving in the IDF. Nussbaum has now entered five decades of communal service building bridges.
Like the QJCC, Nussbaum and his wife Dale are celebrating 54 years of marriage, a partnership that has been the spine of his advocacy. On Israel, Nussbaum, who once published the Queens Tribune and now publishes the Queens Daily Eagle, feels that those in his profession have “corrupted the meaning of good journalism with things twisted to suit an audience. Truth has evaporated.” Emotions took over Nussbaum as he explained, “After 5784 years, we cannot allow ourselves to be content in our communities. We cannot allow actions by our enemies to deter us from responding with every ounce of breath that we have remaining in our body. We have nothing to apologize for.” Nussbaum drew a reaction as he listed the years from the creation of the State of Israel in 1948 until present day when the country has acted to protect itself. “My father’s family walked from Eastern Europe to Israel in the 1930s; Dale’s family came over on the Exodus. We don’t have to apologize for anything.”
Nussbaum spoke of a QJCC transition from a social services group to becoming the umbrella organization for the greater Jewish community of Queens County. He explained how, although we pray to Hashem, we are divided by our religious practices that cause us to look at other segments as outsiders. “My hope for the future in Queens is that we can lead the way by the QJCC and the community speaking with one voice. We live in a society that has become divided between good and evil. Hate has befallen us all, but the greatest threat to us is indifference.” This means not getting involved and taking action when a difference can be made.
Nussbaum spoke of the QJCC’s GOTV efforts, which made 100,000 phone calls to our Jewish community in Queens. The QJCC Kew Gardens Hills headquarters is set to open before Thanksgiving. Due to matching funds, the QJCC had to raise the funds to receive a reimbursement. Jay Ivler and his family of Mt. Lebanon Cemetery provided a $500,000 donation to match NYS. “Without you, this building would not have happened. We struggled for decades to get this done.” Judy Rosen and her husband jumpstarted the dedications for the building campaign, pledging $25,000 for the undertaking. Nussbaum proudly leaves the organization in the black and officially steps down in February on Superbowl Sunday.
By Shabsie Saphirstein
