One Seaport Plaza - 199 Water Street - 27th Floor
New York, NY 10038
(212) 233-5555

Shema Kolainu Legislative Breakfast 2016

Wednesday, August 10, 2016 By Sydney Chang
Special guests: Dr. Herminia Palacio, Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services, NYC Public Advocate Letitia James, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, Dr. Alan Kadish, President and CEO of the Touro College and University System

Shema Kolainu, a school serving the needs of autistic children and their families recently held its Annual Legislative Breakfast, featuring an array of local elected officials and community leaders from across the city who all voiced their commitments to the special needs community.

Dr. Joshua Weinstein, founder of Shema Kolainu, opened the event by expressing his deep gratitude to the dedicated parents, Shema Kolainu staff, elected officials, and management staff that have grown and developed the school into what is it today, proudly declaring that since “day one at Shema Kolainu, we started with miracles, and the miracles have never ceased”.

Also among those in attendance were NYC Public Advocate Letitia James, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, State Senator Felder, Councilmembers Andrew Cohen and David Greenfield. The program commenced with Shema Kolainu parent who described the staff at the Shema Kolainu school “persistent” and “incredibly brave”. Dr. Weinstein lauded the extraordinary efforts of Council member Cohen who chairs the NYC Council Committee on Mental Health for ensuring that the budget allocates funding for the autism initiative—a sentiment shared by Councilman Greenfield who announced his and Cohen’s triumph in increasing funding for autism by $2 million as part of NYC after school programs.

Dr. Alan Kadish, President and CEO of the Touro College and University System was awarded the Excellence in Education Leadership Award and the artwork of Shema Kolainu students. As one of the leading higher education institutions, Touro College boasts of 18,000 students enrolled in 32 schools over 4 countries who go on to careers in the healthcare world. Touro College’s Autism Center and Dr. Kadish’s contributions to educating healthcare professionals to serve the needs of those with autism were also recognized.

Dr. Kadish eloquently captured the essence of the Breakfast in shifting the focus away from himself towards honoring children with autism and those at Shema Kolainu who dedicate their lives to serving them. Public Advocate Tish James emphasized the symbolism of the art presented to Dr. Kadish as it is “the best...and most effective way [the students] can communicate...this is artwork of their world that we should enjoy and share with others”.

Shema Kolainu also awarded Dr. Herminia Palacio, Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services, the City Leadership Award. Dr. Weinstein in presenting her with a painting by the children of Shema Kolainu, said to her, “I’m presenting you this humble award to a humble person.” She captured the importance of taking care of our youth and those most vulnerable by powerfully stated, “When our children and neighborhoods are healthy, our communities are healthy, and our city thrives”.

Comptroller Stringer commended the hard work of the honorees and others, delivering a heartfelt message that as “parents and grandparents and guardians...when we look at our children, we think they can do anything they want even if they don’t start the race of life in the same way as other kids. We always believe that they can aspire to be anything they want...and Shema Kolainu levels the playing field for all of our children”. He truly captured the heart of the school’s mission, and the life-changing ways in which our children all benefit from the care and compassion they deserve.

The genuine and candid atmosphere of this year’s event continues to exemplify the obstacles overcome and progress made when there is collaboration among various communities. The fight to raise awareness of autism and provide quality education to children with autism is greatly furthered by Shema Kolainu and all of the dedicated people who come together each year at these Breakfasts.

 

2 articles found
Read More
Monday, August 01, 2016
Key Officials to be Honored at Shema Kolainu Legislative Breakfast
Shema Kolainu: Hear Our Voices is a school for children with autism located in Brooklyn.
The Annual Shema Kolainu Legislative Breakfast is hosted annually to educate legislators about the urgency of Autism care and research, raise support and awareness and share ideas about working toward combating Autism through effective public policy and legislation. Communal, civic and religious leaders, philanthropists, and elected officials will be participating to pay tribute to several outstanding public officials for their role in furthering the mission of Shema Kolainu.
Related Articles
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Special guests: Dr. Merryl H. Tisch, Chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents, NYC Councilmember Andrew Cohen, and Zelig Friedman of The Tantzers
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Special recognition was given to Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito who was represented by Jennie Berger for funding a total of $690,000 for the city-wide Autism Initiative that will benefit numerous programs an effort championed by Councilman Mark Weprin who sponsors the autism initiative and NYS Assemblymember David Weprin who pioneered the program.
Tuesday, July 09, 2013
This year, the breakfast honored members of the City Council as well as State Legislature, for their outstanding work in the autism community.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
On Tuesday July 24, 2012 Shema Kolainu-Hear Our Voices, a school and center for Children with Autism hosted their 10th Annual Legislative Breakfast at the Renaissance Ballroom in Brooklyn, New York. This year's breakfast honored members of both the City Council and State Legislature in recognition of their efforts to help children with autism.
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
Honoring Boro Park Shomrim Patrol
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
L-R: NYC Public Advocate Letitia James, Menachem Lubinsky, Peter Rebenwurzel, Dr. Joshua Weinstein, Milton Weinstock, Dr. Alan Kadish, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, Ezra Friedlander, EzraFriedlander,Letitia James,Scott Stringer,Alan Kadish,Joshua Weinstein,Menachem Lubinsky,Peter Rebenwurzel, Andrew Cohen, ezra friedlander
L-R: NYC Public Advocate Letitia James, Menachem Lubinsky, Peter Rebenwurzel, Dr. Joshua Weinstein, Milton Weinstock, Dr. Alan Kadish, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, Ezra Friedlander
NYC Councilmember Andrew Cohen addressing the participants, Andrew Cohen, Andrew Cohen, ezra friedlander
NYC Councilmember Andrew Cohen addressing the participants
L-R: NYC Public Advocate Letitia James, Dr. Herminia Palacio, Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services, Peter Rebenwurzel, Dr. Joshua Weinstein, Milton Weinstock, Ezra Friedlander, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, NYC Councilmember Andrew Cohen, EzraFriedlander,Andrew Cohen,Letitia James,Scott Stringer,Herminia Palacio,Joshua Weinstein,Menachem Lubinsky,Peter Rebenwurzel, Andrew Cohen, ezra friedlander
L-R: NYC Public Advocate Letitia James, Dr. Herminia Palacio, Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services, Peter Rebenwurzel, Dr. Joshua Weinstein, Milton Weinstock, Ezra Friedlander, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, NYC Councilmember Andrew Cohen
Dr. Herminia Palacio, Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services addressing the participants, Herminia Palacio, Andrew Cohen, ezra friedlander
Dr. Herminia Palacio, Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services addressing the participants
NYC Public Advocate Letitia James addressing the participants, , Andrew Cohen, ezra friedlander
NYC Public Advocate Letitia James addressing the participants
Peter Rebenwurzel greeting NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, , Andrew Cohen, ezra friedlander
Peter Rebenwurzel greeting NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer
NYC Councilmember David Greenfield addressing the participants, , Andrew Cohen, ezra friedlander
NYC Councilmember David Greenfield addressing the participants
Sign Up for Updates
The Friedlander Group
One Seaport Plaza - 199 Water Street - 27th Floor
New York,  NY  10038
t. (212) 233-5555
f. (212) 233-5556
Communications@TheFriedlanderGroup.com
 
BB DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT