Unity In Diversity: A Historic Celebration Of Jewish Heritage At Queens Borough Hall

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Featuring Honorees: Richard Altabe, Rabbi Mordechai Z. Hecht, Justice Mojgan Lancman, Sharon Levy, Linda Spiegel, and the Bukharian Jewish Museum’s Aron Aronov, Yan Moshe, and Yuriy Sadykov

During the month of June—Jewish Heritage Month—Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr.’s held his inaugural Jewish American Heritage Month celebration, the only local large-scale celebration held by elected officials.

A packed Helen Marshall Cultural Center at Queens Borough Hall welcomed a capacity crowd of community leaders, local residents, and dignitaries on Tuesday evening, May 20.  The festive program featured heartfelt speeches, cultural showcases, and spirited performances. The program was emceed by Rabbi Mayer Waxman, Executive Director of the Queens Jewish Community Council (QJCC), who introduced each segment with thoughtful commentary and transitions. Attendees also enjoyed a delicious kosher fleishig buffet.

Themed Unity in Diversity, the evening emphasized that just as Queens is known globally for its kaleidoscopic ethnic composition, so too is its Jewish population—woven with voices from Eastern Europe, Central Asia, North Africa, and beyond. With co-sponsorship from UJA-Federation of New York, Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY), Queens Jewish Community Council (QJCC), and the Brandeis Association, the event marked a milestone in borough-wide Jewish pride.

The celebration opened with a heartfelt benediction calling upon the Almighty to bestow peace, compassion, and unity across cultures. The prayer recognized Hashem as the source of all dignity and called for mutual respect among all people.

Borough President Richards then took the stage to enthusiastic applause. “Welcome to the People’s House,” he began. “Tonight, we don’t just honor our Jewish community—we celebrate its integral role in the fabric of Queens.” He shared how he and JCRC’s Howard Pollack had prepared to lead a borough delegation to Israel on October 8, 2023—just one day after the tragic Hamas attacks. “We would have been there during the tragedy. Instead, I joined a mission to bear witness to the devastation. I will never forget the stench of violence or the faces of survivors still longing for their loved ones.”

Richards declared firmly, “We demand the eradication of Hamas. We stand for the safety and security of Israel. And we say again—bring them home now.”

Turning to local concerns, he pledged his commitment to protecting the Jewish community in Queens. “I remain in constant contact with the NYPD to track antisemitic incidents. Every hate crime is taken seriously. We will never allow our Jewish neighbors to live in fear.” He invoked history as a reminder of solidarity, referencing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s visit to Queens College to honor Andrew Goodman, the Jewish civil rights activist murdered in Mississippi. “Just as Jewish leaders stood with my community during the fight for civil rights, I will always stand with you.”

Richards thanked key figures who made the evening possible, including Rabbi Yaniv Meirov of Chazaq, Karen Bender Bell of the Hollis Hills Civic Association, and his Jewish Affairs Liaison Team: Ariella Davidov, Susie Tanenbaum, and esteemed friend Avi Weinberg. He also acknowledged former Council Member Rory Lancman and Council Member Lynn Schulman, whose district includes Borough Hall.

Council Member Schulman, the only Jewish member of the City Council representing Queens, stressed the importance of teaching not just the Holocaust but the full breadth of Jewish history in public schools. She spoke of her post-October 7 solidarity trip to Israel, where she met with hostage families and witnessed the devastation firsthand. “We must bring them all home,” she said, urging continued public awareness and political advocacy.

Hon. Marc Treyger, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council and a former Council colleague of the Borough President, reflected on his family legacy—his grandmothers survived the Holocaust, and his grandfathers served in World War II. “I marched yesterday in memory of them—and for every student who wears a yarmulke and faces hate. Jewish life is not defined by crisis alone, but by culture, contribution, and pride.” He praised Richards for staying at the Celebrate Israel Parade, hosted by his organization, from beginning to end, calling it “real leadership.”

Justice Gia Morris, representing the Brandeis Association, commended Richards for standing by the Jewish community during both celebrations and crises. She introduced Justice Mojgan Lancman as a symbol of Jewish resilience and professional excellence.

Lancman, the first Iranian-born judge elected in New York, offered a moving reflection on her family’s escape from post-revolution Iran. “In Tehran, we were second-class citizens. In Queens, we found dignity. We wore our Magen David necklaces without fear. That is the miracle of America—and of this borough.”

Honorees throughout the evening echoed the themes of unity and service. Richard Altabe, principal of HALB’s lower school, accepted his honor with humility. Reflecting on four decades of leadership in Jewish education, he spoke about the power of inclusive teaching and the sacred responsibility educators carry. “I’ve seen the difference one caring teacher can make. Our work in the classroom is about shaping souls, building community, and transmitting values.” He highlighted his partnership with School District 15 in Long Island and his work with children with special needs. “This recognition isn’t about me—it’s about every child who felt seen, every teacher who stood up for what’s right.”

Rabbi Mordechai Z. Hecht, a U.S. Air Force chaplain and rabbi at Kew Gardens' Anshe Sholom Chabad JCC, offered words grounded in deep experience. “The Rebbe taught us to light up the world one mitzvah at a time. I grew up in Forest Hills and built Chabad of Queens as a home for every Jew—regardless of background.” He spoke of the countless families touched through his synagogue, humanitarian projects, and crisis support. “This award belongs to our entire network of Chabad shluchim, who serve across Queens with love and purpose. We’re proud to be here, proud to serve, and proud to make Torah living shine in public life.”

Sharon Levy, Senior VP at the YMCA, expressed gratitude to her parents for sending her to yeshivah and laying the groundwork for a life dedicated to service. “This is tikkun olam, and Borough President Richards leads with that principle every day.”

Linda Spiegel, Director of Public Affairs at Margaret Tietz, proudly identified herself as “a Bayside girl,” recalling her upbringing in a multigenerational household that instilled profound respect for elders. She spoke of the sense of community she felt growing up in an area where neighbors looked out for each other and elders were cherished. She shared how her very first job in college at the old Kew Gardens Nursing Home sparked her lifelong calling. “I didn’t choose geriatric work—it chose me,” she said, describing the influence of her parents and grandparents who modeled chesed and care for the elderly.

Spiegel highlighted the special bonds she’s formed with Holocaust survivors and the unique role of Margaret Tietz in serving them with dignity. She noted the nursing home’s proud reputation across neighborhoods like Kew Gardens, Jamaica Hills, and Bayside, where families trust its staff for compassionate, culturally sensitive care.

“Our residents are more than patients—they are treasures of our history. It is our duty to honor their lives with love and understanding,” she said. Spiegel also emphasized the importance of education and moral leadership. “I did say that we are the teachers for our children and set the example for voices against hate and hate speech. We all need to take on that responsibility.” She praised Borough President Richards for always taking time to visit, listen, and act. “This borough, under his leadership, has never wavered in respecting and honoring our elders. That matters more than words can say.”

Aron Aronov, founder of the Bukharian Jewish Museum, captivated the audience with his account of how his community in Uzbekistan helped shelter Jews fleeing the Nazis during WWII. He spoke with passion about preserving the heritage of Bukharian Jews, including the creation of a theater troupe, museum, and school in Queens. “We are the bridge between past and future. When Jews fled war and hardship, we welcomed them. When we arrived in America, we remembered our traditions—and we built anew. Today, our children know who they are because we never let that identity fade.” Aronov thanked his colleagues Yan Moshe and Yuriy Sadykov for helping preserve the legacy of Bukharian Jewry in Queens and beyond.

Cultural and musical programming further enriched the evening. Rego Park Jewish Center's R' Romiel Daniel offered insights into India’s five historic Jewish communities, highlighting their ancient traditions and peaceful coexistence. Rabbi Isaac Choura introduced The Legacy of Jews in the Middle East and North Africa, a World Jewish Congress exhibit linking visitors via QR code to rich musical and literary heritage from across the Sephardic and Mizrahi worlds.

Musical performances included the harmonious Bukharian Jewish Boys Choir; the stirring Sephardic melodies of Joshua Kaye and Rabbi Yosef Goldman; and a rousing, interactive performance by Chutzpah Caravan, which brought the celebration to a joyful crescendo.

Borough President Richards concluded the evening with an emotional and forward-looking announcement: the creation of a Holocaust Education Garden on the eastern plaza of Queens Borough Hall. The project, he shared, had recently advanced through a meeting with First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro, fulfilling a commitment first made to the late Michael Nussbaum, former QJCC President and a tireless advocate for Holocaust remembrance.

The future site of the garden carries its own legacy. For nearly two decades, the space just off 82nd Avenue—along the eastern side of Borough Hall—was home to the beloved “red caboose,” which was, in fact, a retired NYC Subway Redbird car (#9075). Installed under Borough President Helen Marshall in 2005 and painted Tuscan red, it served as the Queens Tourism Center from 2008 until its closure in 2015. The train car remained a local landmark until it was auctioned and removed in October 2022.

Richards now envisions that very plaza transformed into a solemn and educational space dedicated to the memory of the Holocaust and its survivors. “When we say ‘Never Forget,’ we mean it,” he said. “And we will build the spaces to ensure our remembrance is permanent and visible—for our survivors, our children, and generations to come.”

Each honoree received a formal citation recognizing their unique role in strengthening Jewish life and civic engagement in Queens.

The event’s production reflected the soul and vibrancy of the Jewish community in the world’s borough, thanks to the careful coordination of the Borough President’s Jewish Affairs team. Their behind-the-scenes dedication ensured a seamless program that highlighted the diversity and vitality of Jewish life in Queens.

As the final notes played, the message rang clear: Unity in Diversity is more than a theme. It is the heartbeat of Queens—and now, a cherished tradition in the making.

By Shabsie Saphirstein