On Monday night, Sam Berger, New York State Assembly candidate for the 27th district - widely encompassing Kew Gardens Hills as well as College Point and Whitestone - held a kickoff fundraiser. The successful event was hosted by community leaders Sorolle and Shimmy Idels. The program was highlighted by remarks from Congress Member Gregory Meeks and a keynote address from New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, who was cordially welcomed on his first appearance in Kew Gardens Hills.
“In Albany, we need a strong voice. We need a strong leader to represent the issues that our families face. This is our home. This is our community. These are our families. Let’s fight for it,” Berger stated.
While Daniel Rosenthal, former assemblymember of the district, did not address the crowd, his presence was noted by each speaker, as those in attendance were collectively passing the baton over to yet another member of their community.
In her remarks, Mrs. Idels praised the work of Agudath Israel of America, represented by the presence of Director of New York Government Relations Yeruchim Silber, and her brother Chaskel Bennett, a respected activist and member of the Board of Trustees of Agudah.
Congressman Meeks, Chair of the Queens County Democratic Party, has exhibited steadfast commitment to the defense and promotion of Israel relations as the ranking Democratic member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. This publication has touted his accomplishments, friendship, and advocacy on our behalf. Meeks praised Rosenthal, stating, “With excellence, Daniel has always been able to communicate, deliver, and work on behalf of all the residents of Queens. You›ve represented your district in a supreme manner.”
Rep. Meeks spoke of the important race and its significance for the borough of Queens. “It is important for this district to make sure you continue to have the strong voice that you have had and to make sure that the Orthodox community is represented in all phases of government. We must make sure that we are standing up and speaking out strongly and showing unity. We have got to make sure that we have those voices working collectively to make a difference. Addressing the Speaker, Meeks, who met with Berger at his county offices, added, “We›re going to send to Albany the very best of Queens.” Of Berger, Meeks encouraged Sam and his wife, Shaina, to stand side-by-side, as he spoke of Sam’s understanding of teamwork and moreover working with the leadership, explaining, “The strength of anybody that is elected to anything is the strength of the people that are behind them, and the people that are behind him are in this room. So, you can see, Mr. Speaker, he›s got strong power and he›s going to enter the Assembly as a strong powerful Assembly Member. We are dependent upon you to stay behind Sam.”
The event included a large showing of the Democratic Party’s leadership. It was obvious to all that they have each other’s backs and support one another in all ways possible. Meeks stressed that such an election win should not be taken for granted and that it would require running around, door-knocking, and raising money, aside from being vocal. “To get your message out and to get the turnout that is necessary to win elections, we must let people know that this is a really important special election.”
Beginning with early voting on Saturday, September 2, and on Election Day, September 12, a decision will be made on the next Assemblymember. There will not be a Primary, and the winner will go on to serve District 27 in Albany.
Mrs. Idels thanked Speaker Heastie for hearing our needs. “Thank you for showing us that we are important and have a voice that will carry back to Albany.” The Speaker has been vocal in support for non-public schools, ambulance services, and Holocaust education, and hopes to have a partner in Berger to continue being a voice for the Orthodox community.
Of Rosenthal’s tenure, the Speaker noted, “When it took a conference of over 100 people to 100 different personalities, 100 different ways of thinking, Dan was the quintessential team player. Even when there were tough times, tough votes, Dan was always part of the team.”
To Berger, the Speaker said, “This is politics and representation matters. The decisions that happen in the Assembly are made within the Democratic Conference. So, you want to have your representative in that room when the decisions are made.” The Speaker spoke of the work he has been doing behind the scenes to find different levels of support from just about every labor union and the PBA as well as raising money for a Berger win despite the exorbitant costs.
Berger addressed Rosenthal, expressing appreciation for the insight he has given and the six years of commitment he has brought to Albany on behalf of the community. “You have left me with very, very big shoes to fill. But, the thing about having big shoes is it leaves you a good path to follow and I look forward to carrying on the legacy that you have of serving our district.”
After thanking his wife, with whom he raises their two daughters, Berger spoke of growing up on the streets of Queens, attending Yeshiva Tiferes Moshe for elementary school, Mesivta Ateres Yaakov in the Five Towns for high school, and most recently St. John›s Law School, just a few minutes away. “This has been my home. It is my home. It will always be my home.” Berger also spoke of the rise in hate crimes. “New York faces the largest amount of anti-Semitic attacks in the nation. As a grandson of two Holocaust survivors, I find that unacceptable. Hate, baseless hate, whether it is anti-Jewish, anti-black, or anti-Asian, has no place in our community. And I will advocate with every fiber of my being against it.”
Berger praised the work of his parents, Paula, a high school teacher for girls at Shevach, and David, a noted lawyer and President of Bnos Malka, a girl›s elementary school in Forest Hills, for over two decades. “Education is crucial to my family, and I believe it is crucial to our community. Yeshivahs have been undergoing baseless scrutiny for trying to teach our children our values. I am a product of the yeshivah education system, and I am proud of the education I received. I will advocate to make sure that our schools get their fair share and that we are able to teach our children our values.”
On public safety, Berger expressed, “I am not going to be shy about the fact that when I take my two girls to the bus stop, I want to know that they are going to be safe here in Kew Gardens Hills. We are privileged to have the wonderful Shmira organization, but we should not have to supplement our safety. I will advocate and I will fight for the NYPD to get efficient funding and to keep our community safe.”
By Shabsie Saphirstein
