These awardees were really shepping nachas.
Nearly 1,000 people packed Kol Yaakov Hall in Midwood for a morning of shmear and shmoozing during the Council of Jewish Organizations of Flatbush’s 37th-Annual Legislative Breakfast on March 6, when 12 mensches received awards for their service and leadership in the community. And attendees were freilach when Mayor DeBlasio made a surprise — and very welcomed — appearance, said the organization’s chief executive officer Louis Welz.
“The mayor adds a lot of excitement and buzz,” Welz said. “And when people see and have access to the mayor, they feel they have a personal interaction and personal connection with him, and he has been in tune to the needs of our community. We had more people than we have had before.”
Of the 12 honorees, Assemblywoman Pamela Harris (D–Coney Island) received the distinguished freshman leadership award, a fitting honor considering how much she has done for the community since she took office only a few months ago, said 46th Assembly District Leader Dilia Schack.
“I wanted to share this moment. I was there because it meant something to our district and the fact that she’s being recognized after only three months,” said Schack.
State Sen. Martin Golden (R–Bay Ridge) was kvelling as he presented the distinguished statesman award — an honor he received last year — to newly minted Congressman Dan Donovan (R–Bay Ridge), he said.
“I was ecstatic and am very happy the congressman received it this year,” said Golden. “It was a privilege to be able to present him with that award.”
