Some two hundred community leaders, activists, and government officials gathered at last week’s Agudath Israel Legislative Breakfast to celebrate Agudah’s involvement in Jewish communal life. The annual event is a forum in which the significant issues that affect the Jewish community are explored.

Mr. Ben Weinstock was among the distinguished speakers at this year’s Breakfast. A partner at the law firm of Ruskin Moscou Faltischek in Long Island, Weinstock is co-chair of the firm’s Real Estate Department. He also serves as Deputy Mayor of the Village of Cedarhurst, where he lives. “For millenia,” he said, “we as Jews have been persecuted throughout the world. But not here in the United States. Here we have been treated as equals on every level.”

On a personal note, Weinstock said that he came from a Yeshiva background, “and I’ve had no difficulty in meeting the challenges or in advancing or seizing the opportunities in political and civic life. I never had a problem taking off Shabbos or Yom Tov or with kosher food at events,” he said. “Being an Orthodox Jew has never been an impediment.” Nevertheless, he added that, “I never take this for granted.”

Weinstock pointed out the tremendous contributions of the Jewish community. “We have become good citizens of this country,” he proudly stated. “Although we make up only a six tenths of one percent of the population, there are 35 Congressmen and Senators who are Jewish. Jews represent twenty percent of Nobel Prize winners. And we have significant representation in law, medicine, finance, the sciences, and the arts. Five of the six biggest philanthropists in the United States are Jewish.”

Still, he said that “everything is not perfect and we do have to fight the little skirmishes.” He lauded Attorney General Eric Schneiderman for being a vigilant public official who is advocating for religious rights on a regular basis. He also briefly listed some of today’s “hot issues,” including the hiring of secular studies teachers, the eruv controversy, and prayer in public buildings.

Mr. Avi Schick, a partner at SNR Denton, previously served as a Deputy Attorney General in New York, introduced New York State Attorney General Schneiderman warmly, remembering how Eric assisted him when he was an aspiring law student and how he continues to take responsibility to help individuals with their needs as well as the community at large. “He is a good friend of mine and of the entire Jewish community,” he said.

Schneiderman, well known as a staunch supporter of religious rights, said, “I am struck by the incredible leadership of the Jewish community of New York on a national and international level. This community has given a lot for the United States.”

As for his role as Attorney General, Schneiderman said, “I take the mission of my office very seriously. Our building is called the Justice Building but the word justice is not a precise enough word. We really think of it more as the ‘mishpat tzedek’ building. When we do justice we should apply equal justice under the law and we should also do the right thing. That’s mishpat and tzedek together. That’s our mandate. There has to be the same set of rules for everyone.”

Schneiderman spoke about his office’s civil rights efforts and the religious rights initiatives that he began. “I travel all around the State,” he said. “There are lots of places that are far away from Brooklyn and Monsey where there is some discrimination and massive ignorance.” As the community grows, so does the need to educate others. “The expansion of the frum community,” he said, “in all parts of the State has brought more need for communication and vigilance and enforcement of the laws.”

The New York City Health and Hospitals Administration, architectural and engineering firms, and public education are just some of the areas where the Attorney General’s office is establishing policies that protect against religious discrimination. He asked the assembled guests to help by remaining vigilant and recognizing issues when they arise. “We cannot take our freedoms for granted,” he said.

“Everyone has to understand,” he concluded, “that discrimination against any of us is discrimination against all of us. That is the message of our religious rights initiative and that is what tzedek and mishpat requires of us all. As Attorney General I will work every day to live up to that mandate.”

The event was organized by Ezra Friedlander, CEO of The Friedlander Group.

AG Schneiderman greeting Ben Weinstock, Esq. partner at Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, where he is co-chair of the firm’s Real Estate Department

Ben Weinstock addressing the crowd

Ezra Friedlander chats with AG Eric Schneiderman

Video of the event:

(Jacob Kornbluh – YWN)