Spotted: NYC Mayor Jewish Heritage Event

This event is held annually to celebrate the Jewish community’s continuous contributions to New York City. Hundreds of Jewish New Yorkers enjoyed a glatt kosher barbeque feast, catered by Mendy’s. In addition, attendees were treated to picturesque views of the East River. Gracie Mansion is one of the oldest wooden structures still in regular use in the city and has served as the mayor’s official residence for over 75 years.

Participants included former Mayor David Dinkins, several New York City Council members and New York State Assembly members. Many local rabbinic leaders attended, including Rabbi Michael Miller of the JCRC of New York, NYPD Chief Chaplain Rabbi Alvin Kass and Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, who “wears two kippahs,” as the chief chaplain of FDNY and executive vice president of the New York Board of Rabbis. Other notable attendees included Judge Ruchy Freier, Devorah Halberstam, Nachum Segal, Joseph Stamm, Ezra Friedlander, Rabbi Mendy Carlebach, Herb Block (of White Plains), and Riverdalian Jonathan Greenspun. Joined by his father was former Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes, who is running this November for his old office.