JCRC-NY’s 2019 Winter Benefit Reception Honoring Linda and Jerry Spitzer

 

The Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY) celebrated its 2019 Winter Benefit Reception last night at The Harmonie Club with Guests of Honor Linda and Jerry Spitzer, a keynote address by New York State Attorney General Letitia James, and the announcement of the JCRC-NY Spitzer Community Leadership Fund.

More than 150 guests attended JCRC-NY’s fourth annual, record-breaking Winter Benefit Reception at The Harmonie Club and paid tribute to Linda and Jerry Spitzer in recognition of their lifelong dedication to the Jewish people locally, in Israel, and throughout the world. The Spitzers were also Event Patrons, Richard Mack served as Benefactor, and many others served as Co-Chairs, Partners, and Supporters. JCRC-NY President Cheryl Fishbein announced the establishment of the JCRC-NY Spitzer Community Leadership Fund and presented Mr. and Mrs. Spitzer with their gift, a menorah designed by American artist and one-time New Yorker Michael Aram. Keynote speaker NYS Attorney General Letitia James expressed her personal admiration for the Spitzers and discussed her commitment to continuing to work alongside JCRC-NY in combatting hate crimes and anti-Semitism.

Highlights of the evening included a tribute from their son Jeffrey on behalf of his brother Rick, wife Arlene, and children Jacob and Hannah; a video from JCC Global; and the participation of Ambassador Dani Dayan, Consul General of Israel in NY; JCRC-NY Executive Vice President and CEO Michael S. Miller; UJA-Federation CEO Eric Goldstein; JDC Interim CEO Asher Ostrin; Met Council CEO and Executive Director David Greenfield; and Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun Cantor Chaim Dovid Berson, whose renditions of God Bless America and Jerusalem of Gold brought audience members to their feet.Mr. and Mrs. Spitzer has long been active in the Jewish community. They built two Linda and Jerome Spitzer Residences with Metropolitan Council on Jewish Property (Met Council). As a family, the Spitzers funded the first JCC in Romania as well as a JCC in Estonia.

Along with the Jerusalem Foundation, the Spitzer family created a park in Jerusalem. The Spitzers are past board members of UJA-Federation and past chairs of its Heritage Society. Mr. Spitzer currently serves on JDC’s executive committee and board. Mrs. Spitzer has served as a board member of Met Council for 15 years and, for the past few years, serves as an officer. Mr. Spitzer is JCC Global honorary president and past chair and she is a board member. He is a past president of Recreation Rooms and Settlement and past Director of Operations at JDC. The Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY) is the central coordinating body and resource organization for the Jewish Community in the metropolitan New York area and an advocate for a strong and secure State of Israel. An active force in New York civic and communal life, JCRC-NY protects and enhances the New York Jewish community and builds and sustains working relationships within the Jewish community, with other ethnic and faith communities, and with public officials and government agencies.

Jewish Community Relations Council of NY

Meyer Harroch – New York Jewish Guide