Morton Povman, who passed away last week at 93, was the longest-serving member in the history of the New York City Council. More significantly, he was, in the words of former City Council Member and Chair of the One Israel Fund Steve Orlow, “a steadfast supporter of the Kew Gardens Hills Jewish community who always showed up when we needed him.”
Morty Povman was first elected to the New York City Council in 1971, to replace Donald Manes, who had been elected Queens Borough President. Both men would go on to play significant roles in the growth and strength of the Jewish community in Central Queens.
When Povman was first elected to the City Council, Kew Gardens Hills already had a growing Jewish population. An expanding Jewish community needed more shuls, yeshivos, a mikvah, and an eruv. There was significant opposition from the local civic associations and other groups to providing the city permits that were needed to build these institutions. Much of the opposition came from secular Jews.
Povman became a champion of the Torah-observant community. Whether it was the eruv, a shul, a yeshivah, or the mikvah, Povman was always there in support. As the local Councilmember, his voice carried significant weight in the city agencies that issued the permits to build these vital institutions.
Povman overcame significant opposition and was instrumental in supporting changes in the zoning code that allowed people to expand their houses, making Kew Gardens Hills an attractive choice for large and growing young families.
Fostering cooperation between the Jewish community and the wider community was one of Councilmember Povman’s highest priorities. He encouraged Torah-observant Jews to join and become active in the civic associations and the Community Board. As a result, many of the people who had been the bulwark of opposition to the growth of the Torah-observant community became friends and supporters.
He brought the Borough President’s office, the Queens Jewish Community Council, and the Queens Council of the Arts together to sponsor the Queens Jewish Israeli Festival in the mid-’80s. Povman and Ed Coller co-chaired the festival, which brought tens of thousands of people to Queens Boulevard each year to sample Jewish culture. The event evolved into the largest celebration of Jerusalem Reunification Day in America, with upwards of 100,000 people coming to hear Israeli and American leaders and top entertainers. It was a powerful expression of our support for a united Jerusalem as the heart and soul of the Jewish people and the eternal capital of Israel.
Participants in the festival included then Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Benjamin Netanyahu, Senators Daniel Patrick Moynihan and Al D’Amato, and Mayor Ed Koch. But the most emotional moment was provided by HaRav Shlomo Goren zt”l. As Chief Chaplain of the IDF, HaRav Goren was among those who liberated the Kosel. His blast of the shofar at the Kosel proclaimed that the age-old dream of “Next Year in Jerusalem” was at last a reality. Eighteen years later, to the day, HaRav Goren came to Queens Boulevard to relive the moment at a model of the Kosel in front of Queens Borough Hall. Morty Povman’s leadership and financial support were a major factor in making it possible.
When it came to supporting Jewish causes and institutions, Povman was not content with just showing up. He was a major contributor and fund raiser for UJA-Federation, Israel Bonds, the Jewish National Fund, and other charities. He embodied the words of Pirkei Avos 5:13, that a righteous person is one who gives to tz’dakah and encourages others to do the same.
The Queens Jewish community of today is the legacy of founders and builders like HaRav Fabian Schonfeld zt”l, Dr. Bernard Lander zt”l, and others. As we mourn the passing of Morton Povman, we should remember that growth of Jewish Queens was made possible by our partnership with elected officials like Povman, Claire Shulman, Donald Manes, Nettie Mayersohn, and Mike Simanowitz. May their memories be a blessing.
By Manny Behar
