Yisroel R.

Congressman Mike Lawler brought together members of the local Jewish community Sunday evening for a special pre-Rosh Hashanah celebration, highlighted by the presentation of the 2026 Jewish Changemaker Awards.

The event, held at Chabad Shaarey Israel on Montebello Road in Suffern, drew a large crowd of residents, elected officials, askanim, and community leaders for an evening marking the approach of Rosh Hashanah while recognizing individuals who have made a notable impact throughout the community.

Lawler addressed the gathering about the significance of Rosh Hashanah and the importance of community, service, and standing together, while reflecting on his close relationship with the Jewish community across Rockland County and the broader 17th Congressional District. He concluded his remarks by wishing those gathered a Shana Tova.

The Jewish Changemaker Awards followed a nomination process launched by Congressman Mike Lawler’s office last month, inviting residents across the district to put forward individuals whose work, leadership, and dedication have made a difference in Jewish communal life.

The winning Changemaker honorees were recognized during the event. Following is the list of honorees, which includes many askanim and community advocates, along with others whose work has had a meaningful impact through public service, communal advocacy, volunteer efforts, and assistance to local families and organizations: Devorah Gancz, Leader of Chabad of Suffern and CTeen of Suffern; Eli Ungar, Chief of Spring Hill EMS and Detective with the Spring Valley Police Department; Zeldy Broyde, Founder of Ray of Hope; Samuel “Sam” Hartstein, Founder of Kol Yisroel; Meyer Tauber, Founder of Harmonious Hearts and Member of the Rockland County Planning Board; Mark Jacobs, Board Chair of Montefiore Nyack Hospital and Vice Chair of Saint Dominic’s Family Services; Lisa S. Katz, Chief Government Affairs Officer of the Combat Antisemitism Movement; Lipa Schmeltzer, Jewish musician, artist, and cultural leader; Mattis Gilbert, Founder of RSK; Karen Hochhauser, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Dutchess County; Josef “Yossi” Margaretten, Coordinator of Chaverim of Rockland; Israel “Izzy” Spitzer, Mayor of the Village of New Square; Andrea Myer-Winograd, Executive Director of the Holocaust Museum & Center for Tolerance and Education; Dr. Alan Gotesman, orthopedic surgeon and community leader; David Y. Hoffman of The Mevaser; Chaim Meisels, volunteer EMT and IDF veteran community advocate; Chaim Klein, firefighter with the Tallman Fire Department and EMT with W.P. Faist EMS; Avi Goldstein, community advocate and organizational leader; Aron “Moshe” Kaff, Public Safety Director of New Square; Alexandra Leigh Chemtob, New Castle Town Board Member and former Assistant District Attorney; and Edward Lachterman, Town Supervisor of the Town of Yorktown.

Each recipient was honored by Congressman Lawler with a Jewish Changemaker Award, giving public recognition to people whose efforts are felt throughout the community and whose work continues to strengthen Jewish life across the district.

The celebration carried a fitting message ahead of Rosh Hashanah, combining a warm pre-Yom Tov gathering with recognition for those who devote their time and energy to the Klal, as Lawler honored this year’s recipients and wished attendees a sweet and healthy new year.