Agudath Israel of America hosted its Queens and Long Island Legislative Leadership Reception on Monday evening, October 19, at the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills. The event brought together nearly 150 community members, elected officials from across Queens and Long Island, and representatives of nearly 15 local yeshivos and schools, along with numerous community organizations, including Hatzalah of Queens and Great Neck, Chaverim, Queens Shmira, Bikur Cholim of Queens, Tomchei Shabbos of Queens, the Queens Jewish Community Council, and Chazaq.

Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, Agudath Israel’s Director of New York Government Relations, opened the program by highlighting Agudah’s advocacy on behalf of the Orthodox Jewish community, including Governor Kathy Hochul’s commitment to bring New York into the federal scholarship tax credit program. He emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relationships with elected officials and introduced Rabbi Ephraim Gurell, a Queens resident recently promoted to Associate Director of New York Government Relations.

Among those who addressed the gathering were Congresswoman Grace Meng, introduced by Sorolle Idels, President of the Queens Jewish Alliance, and Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. Both spoke about their longstanding relationships with the community and their work addressing issues of importance to Jewish families and institutions. Members of the New York State Senate, Assembly, and New York City Council also participated in the evening’s program. Agudath Israel Executive Board Member Chaskel Bennett passionately spoke about the importance of voting and remaining involved in the political process.

A central part of the evening was a special tribute to Mr. Shimi Pelman, a longtime community askan, District Leader, and president of Tomchei Shabbos of Queens for more than four decades. Rabbi Doniel Lander, Rosh HaYeshivah of Yeshivas Ohr HaChaim, spoke about his longstanding personal relationship with Mr. Pelman and the impact of his decades of service. Mr. Pelman was presented with proclamations from the New York State Senate, Assembly, and New York City Council in recognition of his contributions.

“We are grateful to the elected officials who joined us and engaged directly with our community,” said Rabbi Yeruchim Silber. “These relationships help our representatives better understand the concerns of the families and institutions they serve.”

“It was meaningful to see so many parts of the Queens and Long Island community represented in one room,” said Rabbi Ephraim Gurell. “The evening was a great reminder of how much can be accomplished when we work together, and honoring Shimi Pelman, someone who has spent decades doing exactly that, made it even more special.”