Public Employee Press

Jewish Heritage: A tribute to former DC 37 leader victor Gotbaum
A celebration with many voices as one

"In our union, we have an opportunity to share our values, and our diverse backgrounds."
—Henry Garrido, DC 37 Executive Director

By MIKE LEE

The 20th annual Jewish Heritage celebration, held at DC 37 headquarters on May 27, offered up a variety of moments entertaining and bittersweet, closing out with a bravura performance by the world-renowned French opera singer and
actor, David Serero.

After the invocation by FDNY Chaplain and Local 299 member Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido spoke of the importance of unity in the labor movement.

"In our union, we have an opportunity to share our values, and our diverse backgrounds, in combining this institution into a powerful force," Garrido said. "If we can tap into that force, we can make this union stronger and make this city into a better society."

DC 37 members and attendees honored the memory of New York City's "Mr. Labor," the late Victor Gotbaum, former executive director of DC 37 who died in April. Those who paid tribute to Gotbaum included DC 37 Secretary and former Local 1070 President Cliff Koppelman, former Local 2627 President Ed Hysyk, and Victor's son Noah, who spoke on behalf of the family.

Honoring Gotbaum

In his remarks, Jewish Heritage Committee Chair and NYC Psychologists Local 1189 President Dr. Leonard Davidman, spoke of Gotbaum. "Victor Gotbaum followed in the great tradition of generations of tough Jewish labor leaders, who stood up against injustice at times when no one else would. And when the city had its back to the wall in the fiscal crisis, Victor stepped in and, in so doing, saved the city from bankruptcy."

Former DC 37 Executive Director Stanley Hill spoke about his experiences working under Gotbaum as associate director in the 1980s. Hill served up humorous, revealing anecdotes about the man who led DC 37 through some of most difficult times in New York City's history, especially the city's financial crisis of the mid-1970s.

"Wow, it is really incredible to be here. This is home," said an emotional Noah Gotbaum after accepting an award in appreciation for his father's contributions to DC 37 and New York City labor.

In discussing his father's history and motivations while leading the union during his tenure as DC 37 chief, Noah told of his father's experiences facing anti-Semitism while in the army and witnessing this at its worst when liberating the Buchenwald concentration camp at the end of World War II.

"This added to his predisposition for the underdog, and to join the union," he said. "He had to support them, stand up for them, and defend them because it was the right thing to do - and if he didn't do it, and we didn't do it, who would?"

Gotbaum noted that his father was born on Labor Day and died on Passover.

The tribute to Gotbaum concluded with a breathtaking performance by the singer Elmore James, who also sung at Gotbaum's funeral in May.

Afterward there was an informative talk by Danielle Kroo, deputy political director of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), about the ongoing negotiations between the United States and other nations with Iran regarding that country's controversial nuclear program.

The finale was a special solo performance by David Serero, who wowed the audience with a mix of his operatic styling, dry wit and elements from his acting career. Last month, he appeared in a New York performance of The Merchant of Venice as Shylock.