Public Employee Press

DC 37 celebrates diversity
Jewish Heritage

The DC 37 Jewish Heritage Committee held its 19th annual celebration at union headquarters on May 29 with members, retirees, labor leaders, a traditional klezmer band and Catskills comedian and New York Friars Club Dean Freddie Roman.

"Our celebration of ethnic, religious and cultural diversity makes DC 37 strong," said Committee Chair Dr. Leonard Davidman, president of Psychologists Local 1189. After an invocation by Rabbi Dr. Alvin Kass of Local 299, Davidman and DC 37 Secretary Cliff Koppelman, the president of Court Employees Local 1070, welcomed the hundreds of celebrants. Participants included the children of the late Jewish labor leaders Lou Weiser, former head of the Council of Jewish Organizations in Civil Service, and Stu Leibowitz, the late DC 37 Retirees Association president, whose daughter Julie-Ann Leibowitz is an active member of Local 2627.

"The pursuit of justice is a cornerstone of Jewish culture and a democratic, more humane society," said keynote speaker Dr. Charles Asher Small, director of the Institute for the Study of Global Anti-Semitism and Policy. Dr. Small is a longtime activist who fought apartheid in South Africa with the African National Congress.

"Anti-Semitism may start with the Jews but it never ends with the Jews, but extends to all races, religions, gender and classes," Small said. "Until we see our face in the face of others and we recognize the humanity of others, hatred will never end."

Dr. Small linked to anti-Semitism the terrorist acts of radical Islamists (which does not include most Muslims) such as the Nigerian kidnappings. "Never be silent in the face of anti-Semitism. Everything we do and don't do will impact human rights, workers' rights and eventually affect us all!"

After a meal of traditional foods like kasha, kugel, knishes and pastrami on rye, celebrants enjoyed music by Howard Leshaw and Company, and the ribald humor of Local 371's Larry Glickson and 50-year comedy veteran Freddie Roman, the star of "Catskills on Broadway.

— Diane S. Williams