By COLlive reporter
FBI Assistant Director Diego Rodriquez, who took charge of the New York City Field office in December 2014, came to Brooklyn on Tuesday, July 7, to learn about the Jewish community and its relations with law-enforcement agencies.
The event, organized by the Misaskim organization, was a chance for Rodriquez to meet various volunteer organizations in the Jewish community and their unique functions.
Addressing the participants, Rodriquez related an important event that occurred during 9/11. Abe Zelmanowitz, an orthodox Jew, worked on the 27th floor of the World Trade Center alongside his coworker Ed Beyea, a Roman Catholic, on that fateful day.
Beyea was a wheelchair-bound quadriplegic and unable to escape the stricken building. Instead of escaping the flames, Zelmanowitz courageously chose to stay alongside his friend to comfort him. They both perished in the attack.
“This story carries a heavy message. It speaks of the strength we find in others during times of difficulty and all the values we cherish in America; respect, loyalty and, most importantly, courage. All these values are exemplified by the organizations represented here today,” he said. “We are truly stronger together than when we are divided.”
Demonstrating how Misaskim and other organizations work hand in hand with law enforcement was the presents of numerous representatives of local and national Jewish organizations.
Among them were Hatzolah Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Agudath Israel of America, the Jewish Community Relations Council, Shomrim, Misaskim and other community askonim.
Rabbi Mendel Scharfstein, who directs the global security efforts of Chabad World Headquarters, was present at the event and represented the Chabad community.
He publically thanked Assistant Director Rodriquez and his agents for the positive relations Chabad is experiencing. “We have a very strong relationship and work very closely with your agency,” Scharfstein said. “The FBI is extremely helpful to address the needs of the Chabad movement and I want to thank you for that.”
Key law enforcement personnel included Representatives of the NY State Police, The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office – Sheriff Mike Schiff, The Office of Emergency Management- Commissioner Esposito, Port Authority of NY/NJ Police Department, New York City Medical Examiner’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Ramapo Police Department – Chief Brower, Lakewood Police Department – Chief Lawson, FDNY Fire Chief of Department Chief Leonard along with Fire and EMS Divisions, MTA Police, NYPD Patrol Borough Brooklyn North and South, NYPD Precinct Commanding Officers, NYPD Counter Terrorism Units, NYPD Hate Crime Taskforce, Brooklyn South Homicide Squad, Brooklyn South Detective Squad, the Police Commissioners Liaison Unit and more.
Executive Board Member of Chevra Hatzolah Isaac Stern was the first to address the audience. Hatzolah has a longstanding reputation in the community and beyond for its outstanding and life-saving function. Mr. Stern described the humble beginning of Hatzolah and how it expanded to the most trusted household name. Hatzolah’s volunteers respond to more than 65,000 calls per year, maintain a fleet of nearly 100 emergency response units and operate highly-advanced technology to ensure the utmost efficiency. Hatzolah is indeed a model organization that demonstrates excellent inter-agency relations and vital volunteer services in the Jewish community worldwide. “Every Jewish organization within our community, not only Hatzolah, has a goal of working together with local authorities,” Stern told the audience.
Lecturer Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser took the opportunity to stress the pivotal role those assembled contribute to our safety and wellbeing each day. “How wonderful it is, Rabbi Goldwasser said, “that a community which is surrounded in a spirit of volunteerism and dedication pays special tribute to everyone that is here.”
Commissioner of the Office of Emergency Management Joseph Esposito has years of experience in interacting with the Brooklyn Jewish community. He told those assembled, “I learned a lot about the Jewish community. I found out about their dedication to community, to the city, to family and to religion.”
The Siyum Hashas at MetLife stadium highlighted the cooperation between the community and law enforcement. During the Siyum Hashas organizers and law enforcement had to oversee the safety of nearly 90,000 participants. Deputy Superintendent of Police at the Port Authority of NY and NJ Ed Cetnar explained that teamwork between organizers and NJ State Police greatly impacted the department.
“It changed the culture within the NJ State police as we had to educate about 1,000 troopers who worked that day. As a result, we have a better understanding about the values and culture of the Jewish community.” At the time of the Siyum Hashas, Cetnar served as Lieutenant, Col. for the NJ State Police and was charged with overseeing the security detail.
Rabbi Shlomo Gertzulin of Aguda offered a heartfelt appreciation to members of the FBI and Homeland Security on behalf of Aguda. He thanked them for their understanding of the risks involved in bringing so many identifiable orthodox Jews in one location and for their unyielding support toward everyone’s safety during the Siyum Hashas. “Everyone gathered here today is a model of cooperation,” he said. “I think the relationship that many here experienced with the orthodox community is a positive one, one of community building, one of partnership and it is only possible because of the tremendous cooperation that we in the community have with law-enforcement.”
Misaskim recognized the work of the FDNY in saving countless lives by inviting the community to employ safety procedures during religious ceremonies such as lighting Chanukah candles and Bedikas Chometz. “Because of [community involvement] we had almost zero fire related injuries over the last few years,” commented Chief James Leonard, Chief of Department for FDNY.
Law–enforcement representatives from the outer communities including, Lakewood, Rockland County and Sullivan County shared the benefits that their communities enjoy due the mutual dedication to cooperation and volunteerism.
A plaque of honor was gifted to Assistant Director Rodriquez and members of his community outreach staff.
