Newark Mayor Speaks at Chabad Dinner

GREENWICH, CT — Newark Mayor, Cory Booker attended the Annual Chabad of Greenwich and Camp Gan Israel Dinner, where he was the recipient of the Tikun Olam Award and gave the keynote address (video below).

Chabad of Greenwich got a bit of political star power as Newark Mayor Cory Booker came out to deliver the keynote speech at the synagogue’s annual event on Thursday, Feb. 10, at the Tamarack Country Club.

Mr. Booker is the subject of the Sundance channel documentary series Brick City, which is about the drama of a community striving to become a safer, stronger place to live. Rabbi Yossi Derren, who is spiritual leader at Chabad, is a longtime friend of Mr. Booker. He said the two men share a similar vision.

“I’m very proud of Chabad. It’s a testament to the Greenwich community,” said Mr. Booker. “People don’t recognize how diverse of a community this is. Just like they don’t recognize Newark. Newark isn’t just an airport. It’s a thriving, diverse community.”

Approximately 250 guests were in attendance, according to Rabbi Derren. There were photo opportunities and a silent auction with proceeds benefiting a multitude of Chabad programs, including the preschool. Steve Finklestein was one of many supporters who came to the event for a chance to meet Mr. Booker.

“Cory is a brilliant guy who bridges the left and right divide,” said Mr. Finklestein.

Among the other distinguished guests recognized that night were guests of honor Sandra and Steve Oster, who were noted for their great support of Chabad and its programs, Alexandra and Steven Fern, who received the Community Service Award for doing mitzvahs, or small acts of kindness, Sophie Lewis, who was honored as the Teen of the Year for her dedication to caring for local children as a counselor at camp Gan Israel, and Liwen and Eli Yaacoby, who were given the Partners in Education award.

Mr. Booker finished the event speaking about achieving hard-won goals.

“Life is not a spectator sport,” he said. He explained that there is a great need for “a commitment towards cooperation” between diverse groups as a means of achieving goals, not merely encouraging assimilation. He also extolled the virtues of the work Chabad had done in education and touched on the struggle that he has faced as mayor of a metropolitan city often overlooked.

As a sign of respect, Mr. Booker, who is not Jewish, wore a yarmulke.

“I was amazed by the mayor’s speech,” said Nathan Dreyer, who played guitar with an orthodox band that performed at the event. “He was so familiar with the Jewish tradition … I thought he was a Jew.”

Chabad of Greenwich is part of Chabad Lubavitch, an international organization representing and furthering Jewish fellowship within communities.

“Chabad is a very welcoming and inclusive organization to anyone who is interested in what they have to say,” said Steve Dubinsky, a Chabad member who takes classes with the rabbi. “It’s a nice oasis; when I go there to study it’s a little island of tranquility away from a busy life.”

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Written by Madeline Ward, A Greenwich Post Correspondent