Community Magazine July 2012

Community Chest Met Council on Jewish Poverty Honors Outstanding Leaders The Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty presented its National Leadership Award to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano at its 36 th Annual Legislative Breakfast, which was held on June 3 rd at the Roosevelt Hotel, Manhattan. The event was attended by some 500 guests and scores of elected and appointed officials. Met Council Board President Steven Price lauded the Secretary’s work on behalf of the American people. “Secretary Napolitano not only keeps Americans safe and secure, but through her ongoing work with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), she also advocates for emergency housing and food assistance – services that directly impact the lives of our clients.” The award was presented by New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly. After accepting the award, Ms. Napolitano said, “Homeland security begins with hometown security, and you can’t have hometown security without organizations like Met Council. Their expertise can help us help communities to prepare for, respond to, and be able to recover from disasters and other hazards.” Ms. Napolitano was among 16 national and community leaders and organizations honored by Met Council, which helps the poor throughout New York City with services that include kosher food pantries, career training and counseling victims of domestic violence. Met Council is a Jewish organization affiliated with the New York chapter of UJA, but it annually serves 100,000 needy New Yorkers of every race, ethnicity and religion. The Council’s annual Legislative Breakfast is always scheduled to coincide with the Israel Day Parade. “Today is a great occasion for all of us at this Legislative Breakfast and the parade and all of the events going on in New York City today – to think about our shared values, the shared values of the United States and the State of Israel,” said Yuli Edelstein, Israel’s Minister of Information and Diaspora affairs. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg called Met Council’s annual breakfast “one of the highlights of the year.” Some 60 officials spoke at the nearly three-hour event, including several major philanthropists and community leaders. –Carolyn Tawil Rushefsky Caron Foundation Awards Include SAFE Director Caron Foundation held its Seventh Annual Greater New York Community Service Awards Breakfast on June 5th at ,The Mutual of America Building on Park Avenue in Manhattan, recognizing the achievements of professionals and leaders in the rehabilitation community. Caron Foundation provides comprehensive rehabilitation for addiction patients, and is among the leaders in treatment methods to affect “Recovery for Life.” This year’s awardees included Founder and Executive Director of The SAFE Foundation Mr. Ike Dweck, recipient of the Community Leadership Award; Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski, who was given the Lifetime Achievement Award; and Mr. Roy V. Tellis, program director of The SAFE Foundation, who was presented with the Unsung Heroes Award. Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski, a renowned lecturer, author, amnd pulpit rabbi turned psychiatrist, has a long list of outstanding achievements to his name, but the Lifetime Achievement Award bestowed upon him by the Caron Foundation was given specifically in recognition of his pioneering activities and major contribution to the recovery community. In 1972, Rabbi Twerski founded the Gateway Rehabilitation Center as a 28-day rehab center for treatment of alcohol and drug dependence. Since its humble beginnings, Gateway has grown to become a leading rehabilitation center, with an acclaimed network of facilities across Pennsylvania and Ohio. Mr. IkeDweck,waspresentedwith theCommunityLeadership Award in recognition of his legendary dedication to the cause of assisting addicts. The SAFE Foundation’s first office was Ike’s truck in which he provided outpatient services to those seeking counseling for substance abuse and gambling addiction. Now, besides providing counseling, Ike has spearheaded a massive education campaign to spread awareness of the problem and the solution provided by The SAFE Foundation on an outpatient basis. The Caron Foundation commended Ike as a tireless advocate for the needs of his clients, developing a major, well- respected, licensed outpatient substance abuse and gambling clinic. Contact the SAFE Foundation at 866-569-SAFE. All calls are kept strictly confidential. –Pnina Souid U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano receiving her award from New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly Caron Foundation award recipients Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski (left) and Mr. Ike Dweck (center) with SAFE Foundation Medical Director Dr. Bradley Lewis. 98 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE