New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. with honorees and co-sponsors at his Jewish Heritage celebration at City Hall on Monday, December 12, 2005. Pictured (back, l to r) are: Michael S. Miller, Executive Vice President and CEO, Jewish Community Relations Council of New York; Rabbi Alan Schranz, Sutton Place Synagogue; Dr. Charlotte K. Frank, Senior Vice President for Research and Development, The McGraw-Hill Companies; Thompson; Jerry Greenwald, General Manager and Managing Editor, The Jewish Press; Jeffrey S. Wiesenfeld, Member, Jewish Community Relations Council Board of Directors and Co-Chairman, Jewish Heritage-NY; (front, l to r) David Mandel, Chief Executive Officer, OHEL Children’s Home and Family Services; Dr. Bernard Lander, President, Touro College; William Rapfogel, Executive Director/CEO, Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty; and, Judith Shapiro, Co-Chairman, Jewish Heritage-NY.

Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. honored Gerald Schoenfeld and four city leaders at his annual Jewish Heritage celebration on Monday, December 12, 2005. The event was co-sponsored with the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC) and The Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty. 

Addressing several hundred people at City Hall, Thompson said: “Today, we may be far removed in time from the days of the first Jewish settlers and early immigrants. But we have much to learn from their example. Their dreams, their resilience, and their courage are a source of inspiration as we meet the challenges of today, at home and abroad.”

Thompson continued: “ Our honorees this evening are all New Yorkers who have inspired those around them and contributed tremendously to the quality of life in our city. They include publishers, arts leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. They are all role models, and they have all brought vision, leadership, and dedication to their endeavors.”

Comptroller Thompson presented his Lifetime Achievement Award to Gerald Schoenfeld .  Schoenfeld is Chairman of the Board of the Shubert Organization, which owns and operates theaters in New York , Philadelphia , Washington and Boston .  He also is Chairman of the League of American Theatres and Producers, is a member of the Board of NYC & Company, and serves as Chairman of the Mayor's Midtown Citizens Committee.

“Throughout his career, Mr. Schoenfeld has brought vision, dedication, and expertise to the world of New York theater,” Thompson said.

The second award went to media and community leader Jerry Greenwald.  Greenwald is the Chief Operating Officer and Managing Editor of the Jewish Press, the world's largest independent English language Jewish weekly newspaper.  He also serves as President of the Yeshiva of Manhattan Beach and as President of Congregation Shaarey Torah in Manhattan Beach , and is a Board Member of Manhattan Beach Jewish Center and Shorefront Community Council.

Thompson called Greenwald “a dedicated leader and an inspiring role model. ”

Dr. Charlotte K. Frank was the third honoree of the evening.  Dr. Frank is Senior Vice President of Research and Development for McGraw-Hill Education of The McGraw-Hill Companies.  She represents McGraw-Hill at the National Business Roundtable's Education Taskforce Initiative and coordinates the Harold W. McGraw Jr. Awards for those who have made a difference in education.  Dr. Frank also is co-chair of the educational initiative “Don't Laugh At Me: Operation Respect.”

“Dr. Frank has provided outstanding leadership and demonstrated exceptional dedication to creating quality educational materials,” said the Comptroller, presenting the award “in recognition of her contributions to the field of publishing and the quality of life in New York City .”

Dr. Bernard Lander received the next award.  Dr. Lander is Founder and President of Touro College. Under his leadership, the college has grown to become an international university, with campuses in Moscow , Israel , and Berlin .  Dr. Lander served as New York City 's first Commissioner of Human Rights and has long been involved in civil rights initiatives.  Dr. Lander also has served as a consultant to three U.S. Presidents, and was a member of the commission that shaped the historic “War on Poverty” campaign.

Thompson praised Dr. Lander for working “ to improve higher education in New York City and beyond, bringing vision, dedication, and expertise to the effort.”

The final honoree of the evening was social service and community leader David Mandel.  Mandel is the Chief Executive Officer of OHEL Children's Home and Family Services.  OHEL and its affiliates, Bais Ezra and the Lifetime Care Foundation for the Jewish Disabled, serve children and adults with mental illness, developmental disabilities and families in crisis. 

“Mr. Mandel is a dedicated leader and an inspiring role model,” said the Comptroller.

The Yeshivah of Flatbush High School Chamber Choir provided the entertainment portion of the evening.

Contact Marla Maritzer at (212) 669-2597 or mmaritz@comptroller.nyc.gov to receive photographs.

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