February 2025
Benjamin Gelber
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Welcome to 2025. I am so honored and privileged to be your Shomrim president. I have been preparing for this amazing honor the entire time that I have been on the executive board. I have been involved with Shomrim since I was a grey shirt in the Police Academy. Shomrim means so much to me. I must thank Past Pres. Phil Weisbord for his amazing leadership and all that he has given to Shomrim for the last 3 years. Phil brought the society to an awesome culmination, celebrating 100 years of Shomrim. My goal is to embark on a journey and lead us into our next century. With the help of all of you, our Board of Officers, our members and our friends I believe we can reach new and exciting heights.
In January, we held our monthly meeting at the police academy. The new Executive Board was installed and we got off to a great start. My thanks to Bro. Igor Pinkhasov for swearing in the 2025 Board and special gratitude to Honorary Member Judge Bruce Balter for swearing me in while dressed in his Judicial robe. Always with a touch of class.
We held our 3rd annual Malava Malka at the East Midwood Jewish Center on Saturday night January 25th. Thank you to Rabbi Kass, and Cantor Sam Levine for leading us in such a meaningful service. And then it was off to races for a night of fun, frolick and food. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped set this up, and all the members who came out to the event. Adam Diamond who shlepped and set up, Ruth and Andrew who checked in our guests and the good natured participants who pranced through the racetrack as the majestic steeds. Shomrim works best when we all do our share. Special thanks to Yossi from Yossi’s pizza who supplied the pizza, pasta and falafel and to Louie Lin for the incredible and delicious sushi platters. Let’s not forget our own Paul Daniel of Hershey’s Ice Cream for donating the desert. Everyone enjoyed the food so much, there were no left overs. This is just the beginning of an amazing year of great Shomrim events.
We are looking forward to Shomrim’s most rewarding event the annual Passover packaging and distribution coming up on Friday April 4th and Sunday April 6th. Please come out and help us with this amazing mitzvah, helping families in need for the holiday. We must work as a team to make this event successful.
For anyone interested, Shomrim is planning a Mission to Israel trip this year. I have seen the itinerary, and it looks fantastic. I will have the travel agent at the February Meeting so that he can discuss the trip and any concerns you may have. Please reach out to Bro. Steven Lane with any questions. I am confident that it is going to be a great trip.
Please stay safe and lookout for your co-workers well being. I hope to see all of you at the next meeting and at upcoming events.
Fraternally,
Benjamin Gelber
President