Public Officials Join Shushan Purim Party in Williamsburg

By COLlive reporter

Even after Purim was over, the celebration continued.

Elected officials and law enforcement representatives participated in a Shushan Purim celebration on Sunday, hosted in the home of Rabbi Moshe Indig, an activist in the Satmar community in Williamsburg, New York.

The private event brought together key figures from across New York to mark the holiday of Purim and strengthen ties between the greater New York Jewish community and state and city leadership.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul arrived with her husband, William Hochul, Jake Adler, Assistant Secretary to the Governor for Constituency Affairs, and Eva Wyner, Deputy Director of Jewish Affairs.

Speaking at the event, Hochul emphasized her administration’s dedication to the Jewish community, stating, “It is always an honor to be among friends. I will always stand with the Jewish community to ensure its safety and prosperity.”

Also in attendance were New York Attorney General Letitia James, NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Councilman Lincoln Restler, Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, Chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, and representatives from Mayor Eric Adams and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams.

Attorney General James reaffirmed her commitment to combating hate crimes and discrimination, recalling her past work representing the Lubavitch community in Crown Heights. She described herself as an honorary Lubavitcher and pledged to continue supporting Jewish New Yorkers.

Brooklyn Borough President Reynoso, a lifelong Williamsburg resident, highlighted Brooklyn’s status as home to the world’s largest Jewish population, while District Attorney Gonzalez reiterated his office’s commitment to public safety and the security of the Jewish community.

Several ranking members of the New York City Police Department participated in the event, including Chief Scott Henderson, Commanding Officer of Brooklyn North; Chief Victoria Perry, Chief of Community Affairs; Deputy Chief John Corbisiero, Domestic Violence Unit; Inspector Gary Marcus, Commanding Officer of the Hate Crimes Task Force; Captain John Wernerbach, Commanding Officer of the 90th Precinct; Captain Jonathan Navarrete, Commanding Officer of the 94th Precinct; and Captain Stephen Leuze, Commanding Officer of the 88th Precinct.

Prominent Jewish leaders and law enforcement chaplains were also present, including Rabbi Shlomo Weber, a senior leader and community advocate within the Pupa Kehilla; law enforcement chaplains Rabbi Joel Eisdofer and Rabbi Joel Friedman; Rabbi Chanina Sperlin and Rabbi Yaacov Behrman of Crown Heights; Rabbi Yisroel Nissim of Chabad of Greenpoint in Brooklyn;

Hatzolah Coordinators Shaya Bernath and Moshe Nusen Braver; Williamsburg Shomrim Coordinator Jacob Itzkowitz; and Abe Lichtenstein, Community Liaison to the 79th Precinct.

Also in attendance were Rabbi Moshe Weiser, Jacob Eisdofer, Senior Advisor to Brooklyn Borough President Reynoso; Pesach Osina, Senior Community Liaison to Speaker Adams; Yoel Lefkowitz, Senior Advisor to Attorney General James; Uri Fraenkel, Director of Special Projects in the Office of the Mayor; and AD48 District Leader Pinchas Ringel.

Rabbi Moshe Indig thanked the elected officials and law enforcement representatives for their ongoing support of the Jewish community. He specifically noted the efforts of the NYPD under the leadership of Commissioner Jessica Tisch in going the extra mile to ensure a safe and peaceful Purim for all New Yorkers.