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Kings County Politics

The Whole Schmear

When Political lobbyist Ezra Freidlander calls to come for breakfast almost all the political players show up to Boro Park for lox, bagels and pastries – or in Yiddish speak – the whole schmear.

The event was Shema Kolainu’s 10th Annual Legislative Breakfast. The organization runs Hear Our Voices, a school and center for Children with Autism.

Those, who attended the event reads like a who’s who in city and state politics and included Central Brooklyn’s Assemblyman and Congressional lock Hakeem Jeffries, City Councilwoman Letitia James, who is looking more and more like a viable public advocate candidate, and State Sen. Eric Adams, the front runner to succeed Marty Markowitz as Brooklyn Borough President.

This little nosh also drew the likes of front running mayoral candidates City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer. Possible Republican Mayoral candidate John Catsimatidis CEO of Gristedes Supermarket was also in attendance. Others at the schmooze fest included Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. City Council Members Melissa Mark-Viverito, Dan Garodnick, Domenic Recchia, Lew Fidler, Mark Wepren, David Greenfield and Brad Lander; Assembly members David Wepren and Dov Hikind, and Williamsburg/Greenpoint District Leader Lincoln Restler.

“It’s about autism, and galvanizing elected officials on addressing and funding this very relevant issue,” said Friedlander noting that the City Council recently allocated $1.5 million split up in $25,000 and $50,000 increments to various autism programs throughout the city.

While Orthodox Jewish Boro Park is long known to deliver votes, Friedlander noted he worked hard to bring all the players together and if they think it will curry favor with local voters all the better.

It’s about identifying an issue, organizing it well and giving them (politicians) recognition for the good work they do,” said Friedlander. And if an elected official steps up to the plate and hits a double or homerun, you make sure the community knows about it.”