More than 400 guests, including distinguished elected officials and government leaders, gathered to celebrate JCRC-NY at the event.
Last night, the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY) celebrated its 2025 Gala at a packed Ziegfeld Ballroom with 400 guests. The memorable event honored distinguished leaders whose work continues to further JCRC-NY’s mission to advance the values, interests, and security of the New York Jewish community and create a more interconnected New York for all. You can find additional Gala details, including its sponsors, here.
The evening’s program opened with moving renditions of “Hatikvah” and “The Star-Spangled Banner” performed by Cantors Chaim Dovid Berson of Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun and Mira Davis of Park Avenue Synagogue. JCRC-NY’s outgoing President Bennett W. Golub welcomed guests and shared reflections, leading into taped greetings from H.E. Ambassador Ofir Akunis, Consul General of Israel in New York; U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer; U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand; Governor Kathy Hochul; Mayor Eric Adams; and UJA-Federation of New York CEO Eric S. Goldstein. JCRC-NY CEO Mark Treyger introduced the evening’s award presentations.
JCRC-NY’s 2025 honorees:
- Rabbi Angela W. Buchdahl of Central Synagogue, Rabbi Elliot J. Cosgrove of Park Avenue Synagogue, and Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz of Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun received the JCRC-NY Areivut Award, presented by David L. Moore, JCRC-NY President-elect and Development Committee Co-Chair.
- Dr. Linda G. Mills, President of New York University, received the Visionary Leader Award, presented by Merryl H. Tisch, Chairman of the SUNY Board of Trustees.
- Craig Newmark, founder of Craig Newmark Philanthropies and Craigslist, received the Barbara and Ira A. Lipman Community Security Award, presented by Gustave K. Lipman, chairman of Circadian Risk and senior advisor to the CEO of Voyager Labs; and
- Louis J. Jerome, president of the Sephardic Community Center, received the Blumberg Family Young Leadership Award, presented by Karen and Ben Blumberg.
Several prominent New York elected officials also attended the event:
- New York State Attorney General Letitia James and New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, who both provided greetings;
- New York State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal;
- New York State Assembly Members David Weprin, Tony Simone, Micah Lasher, Grace Lee, Brian Cunningham, and Alex Bores; and
- New York City Council Member Julie Menin.
“During my tenure as JCRC-NY president, I’ve been very proud of the many ways the JCRC-NY has responded to the significant challenges facing the New York Jewish community. We’ve reasserted the JCRC’s voice in New York’s political landscape, stood unwaveringly with Israel and the New York pro-Israel community, and advocated for Jewish identity education in K-12 public schools and stronger protections for Jewish students on campus, to name just a few. Our honorees, generous sponsors and donors, and community and government officials with whom we partner not only understand the value of this mission-driven work but also the imperative of standing with New York’s Jewish community in the face of rising antisemitism that threatens our security. We are grateful for their continued support,” said Bennett W. Golub, president of JCRC-NY.
“JCRC-NY was thrilled to honor exceptional individuals who exemplify the values of public service and community building at last night’s gala,” said Mark Treyger, CEO of JCRC-NY. “Each of our honorees has made a lasting contribution to New York and to the communities we serve. Their work inspires our continued efforts to advance intergroup understanding and strengthen the civic fabric of our city. We are deeply grateful to them and to everyone who generously contributed to JCRC-NY. Their support will help us carry out our upcoming initiatives, like launching the first-ever Jewish Americans Hidden Voices curriculum in NYC public schools and preparing to lead important work in the democracy space—because we know that our voices, our values, and our engagement matter more than ever.”
About JCRC-NY: JCRC-NY, a proud partner of UJA-Federation of New York, serves as the primary community relations agency for the Jewish community in the metropolitan New York area. As an active force in New York civic and communal life, JCRC-NY operates as a central coordinating and resource body with a mission to build relationships to advance the values, interests, and security of the Jewish community and to create a more interconnected New York for all.
Meyer Harroch, New York Jewish Travel Guide
