The NYPD Shomrim Society opened the new year with a meaningful evening of leadership transition, reflection, and recognition, as members gathered at the Edith and Carl Marks Jewish Community House in Bensonhurst for the Society’s first meeting of the year on Tuesday, January 20.
Founded in 1924, the NYPD Shomrim Society serves as the official fraternal organization of Jewish members of the New York City Police Department. For more than a century, it has fostered camaraderie among officers of all ranks while providing benevolent support, scholarships, burial assistance, and a lasting sense of fraternity rooted in shared service and identity.
The evening’s centerpiece was the formal passing of leadership, as outgoing President Lieutenant Ben Gelber handed the gavel to incoming President Detective Josh Zucker, formerly of Hashevaynu in Kew Gardens Hills and now a West Hempstead resident. The incoming board was officially affirmed by NYS Courts Major Craig Brooks, while Detective Zucker was affirmed by Deputy Chief Andrew Arias, Commanding Officer of Detective Borough Brooklyn South – underscoring the Society’s close relationship with NYPD leadership and the broader law-enforcement community.
President Zucker also used the occasion to honor individuals whose behind-the-scenes dedication has helped shape the Society’s legacy. Past President and retired Sergeant Harvey Hecker received an achievement award recognizing 30 years of service as the Society’s newsletter editor, documenting its milestones and keeping members connected across generations. Past President and retired Lieutenant Andrew Menkes was similarly honored for his longstanding role as Society historian, preserving the organization’s institutional memory and rich history.
With leadership affirmed and longtime contributors recognized, the NYPD Shomrim Society began the year grounded in continuity and purpose – looking ahead under new leadership while honoring the service and commitment that have sustained it for more than a century.
By Shabsie Saphirstein
