By COLlive reporter
Photos by Levik Hertzel
A member of a politically active family, Kirsten Elizabeth Rutnik Gillibrand knows a thing or two about making rounds.
The U.S. Senator of New York came to the Jewish Children’s Museum to get acquainted with the Crown Heights Jewish community and their needs in an informal meeting coordinated by activist Devorah Halberstam, the Jewish Children’s Museum’s Director of Foundations and Services.
The Senator toured the Museum, which is dedicated in memory of Halberstam’s son Ari, who was killed in a terrorist shooting in 1994, and especially enjoyed the newly-opened fourth floor exhibits about Jewish history.
“This is a first of its kind,” the Roman Catholic former attorney marveled, as she visited the displays and exhibits celebrating the giving of the Torah and the Jewish capital of Jerusalem, commenting on how it educates the many visitors of different cultures, bringing tolerance and understanding.
And understanding was indeed a key element at a meeting she held afterwards at the conference room upstairs with members of the local organizations and educational institutions, a group of mostly rabbis, with the dominant clothing colors in the room being black and white (the Senator in a white suit as well).
Representing the schools were Rabbi Laime Minkowitz of Beth Rivkah Associated Schools, Rabbi Yosef Rosenfeld and Rabbi Nosson Blumes of Oholei Torah, Rabbi Yosef Simpson of United Lubavitcher Yeshiva – Crown St., Rabbi Motty Gurary of Bnos Menachem, and Rabbi Levke Kaplan of Jewish Technical Vocational School (JTVS).
Others were Zaki Tamir and Rabbi Eli Cohen of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council, and Rabbi Yerachmiel Benjaminson and Rabbi Sholom Ber Baumgarten of Tzivos Hashem.
Lay leaders included Chaplain Jacob Goldstein of Community Board 9, property owner and philanthropist Yossi Popack (sporting a beard while in mourning after his father’s recent passing), winemaker Yossi Zakon, and Halberstam’s son Shea.
The mother of 2 children, Gillibrand said she is in tune to the needs of families and is well aware of what families have to go through in this economy to make ends meet.
She particularly addressed the influence that the poverty level has on families in communities blessed with many children, saying she understands that budget cuts in education and food stamps directly affect families with small children who have to put food on the table.
One of the school heads told her, “a big issue among our private school system is the policy of no child left behind – we try not to reject a student for lack of pay.”
The Senator also discussed issues of security with Halberstam, and said that US foreign policy must remain strong in support of Israel, and that Israel has a right to defend itself from its enemies.
The bestest!!!
Our grandparents escaped Communist Russia, if you like that lifestyle u can go back to Russia or easier go to cuba.
so hes for vouchers, very nice. what about other assistance?what about the police dept, he going to cut their budget? the firefighters? republicans cut money from the ppl who need it so their rich cronies could get big fat tax breaks. NO THANK YOU!
Go Zaidy Rosenfeld!!!
He’s a NYC Republican, trust me, he’s not extreme on the cutting budgets issue.
Plus he’s for vouchers, so once we get vouchers for education, the average Frum family, that’s almost bankrupt by paying what’s basically a double tax, will be in a much better IY”H, position financially.
I hope the CH leaders wake up and start to give attention to the GOP candidates.
Why are there no lubav women there except for DH? There are women who lead schools, too, among other things.
Did any of the educators bring up the subject of tuition vouchers to assist Yeshiva parents or did they not want to rock Ms. Senator’s boat too much?
🙂
why? so he can cut funding across the boards for necessities such as aid to our yeshivas and community? why do i want that? I DONT!
I don’t understand-what does this have to do with your tuition?
All frum Jews must vote for Bob Turner.
duh, its a photo op, just like romney backman santorum went to AIPAC and gave cut and dried groveling speeches which is the greatest jewish pander around today!
for those who dint have an english education in OT or dint attend college, this is what we call POLITICS, both sides play it both sides do it. yossi dont get it twisted and make this a partisan subject…
I love the way Mrs. Halberstam dresses Tznius………..She is the example for lubav women & she looks great kah
do you mean photo OP?
You’re looking good, keep up the good work
SR
You know why she woke up and came to CH. 1 name Bob Turner.
Thank you for your meaningful work!
youre ibber famous!
we are suffering cant pay tuition i hope its not a photo shop
i thought zaki moved out of CH
lookin good bro!
As usual, its nice that all these fancy meetings are posted online, but has anything ever come of them, besides making our “leaders” feel better about themselves?
To the Senator, please deliver.