City’s Jews, Latinos seek better relations

Greenfield, Diaz Jr. bring communities together

August 6, 2015 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Councilmember David Greenfield (right) and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. (left) organized the networking event. Photo courtesy of Greenfield’s office

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Two of the city’s most prominent political leaders in the Jewish and Latino communities teamed up to organize a networking event designed to give members of those communities a chance to become better acquainted.

Councilmember David G. Greenfield (D-Borough Park-Midwood-Bensonhurst) and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. co-hosted a summer networking event in Manhattan last week.

Held at Design by FMC, a jeweler in Midtown, the networking event was intended to strengthen the relationship between the Jewish and Latino communities, according to Greenfield.

“Jews and Latinos have a lot in common — from a shared immigrant history to valuing education and religion to deep ties to our respective homelands,” Greenfield said. “I am so grateful for the overwhelming response we received and I look forward to continue working closely with my friend Borough President Diaz Jr., on more events like this and fighting together at City Hall and in Albany for our communities.”

More than 150 people, including elected officials and religious leaders, attended the standing-room only event.

The participants included council members Andrew Cohen, Vanessa Gibson, Rafael Espinal, Corey Johnson, Dan Garodnick, and Mark Levine; Kingsborough Community College President Farley Herzek; Hostos Community College President Félix V. Matos Rodríguez; New York Board of Rabbis Executive Vice President Joseph Potasnik; New York Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Director of Events Sulma Arzu-Brown; National Association of Latino Elected Officials Regional Director Roberto Frugone; and two of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s top aides — Deputy Secretary of Legislative Affairs Mark Weprin and Special Assistant for Jewish Affairs David Lobl.

Greenfield, who said he was thrilled with the success of the event, added that the purpose of the get-together was simple — to give leaders in the Jewish and Latino communities a chance to get to know each other.

“There’s a strong and rich history when you speak of Latinos and the Jewish community,” Diaz Jr. said. “That history is one that we need to celebrate, and I am proud to be able to partner with Councilmember Greenfield and so many leaders from across the city to engage in discussion and develop meaningful partnerships between these two populations.”

Greenfield said he and Diaz Jr. plan to work together on legislative items in the future.