Public Employee Press

Celebrating Jewish Heritage
The meaning of hope

Police Dept. Chief Chaplain Rabbi Alvin Kass, a Local 299 member, cited the Hebrew Bible’s command, “Justice, justice shall you pursue,” in an invocation that set the stage for speakers at DC 37’s 15th annual Jewish Heritage Celebration on May 18.

DC 37 Secretary Cliff Koppelman welcomed the hundreds of participants on behalf of DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts, who was in Albany battling layoffs: “Jewish unionists have always been there when the union has fought discrimination and social and economic injustice. Their contribution to improving the lives of working people has been immense.”

Jewish Heritage Committee Chair Dr. Leonard Davidman, the president of Psychologists Local 1189, said activists today “stand on the shoulders of early Jewish labor leaders like former executive directors Victor Gotbaum and Jerry Wurf, who fought for social justice as well as bread and butter.”

Mazon leader David Napell explained how the organization allocates donations from the Jewish community to alleviate hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds, providing nourishment to millions of families and addressing the systemic causes of hunger and poverty.

In his address, “Jewish Values and the Obama Administration,” keynote speaker Mark Pelavin of the Religious Action Center delivered a report from the front lines in Washington. The RAC works alongside union lobbyists for civil rights, environmental justice, affordable health care and other shared social and economic goals.

Pelavin gave the president high marks for using “the power of organizing” and “the strength of the many,” for his “direct personal engagement” on behalf of community needs and his “aggressive approach” to fixing the economy.

He praised Obama for giving hope to millions with his actions and speeches, especially his election night talk in Chicago, and pointed out that keeping hope alive is a deeply held Jewish value that is expressed in Israel’s national anthem, “Ha-Tikvah” (“The Hope”).

In addition to the food for thought provided by the speakers, participants enjoyed a kosher meal and the music of renowned Israeli singer Magda Fishman and master guitarist Avram Pengas.