Bronx Jewish Hall of Fame Inducts 2017’s Honorees

Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. interviews Michael S. Miller; Executive VP and CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY); during the question-and-answer portion of the 2017 Bronx Jewish Hall of Fame induction ceremony./Via The Office of The Bronx Borough President

This past Wednesday, November 29th at The Bronx Museum of The Arts, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr, along with The Bronx Jewish Historical Initiative, celebrated the induction of this year’s honorees to the Bronx Jewish Hall of Fame.

“The Bronx Jewish Hall of Fame showcases people who have made extraordinary contributions not just within the community but also throughout our great borough,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.



Diaz further added, “I want to thank this year’s class, folks from all walks of life from sports to finance to public service, for all that they have done for The Bronx and beyond.”

This year’s honors went to WPIX-TV anchor Marvin Scott, former New York Yankee Ron Blomberg, famed architect Daniel Liebeskind, former New York City Councilwoman June Eisland, playwright Miriam Hoffman, illustrator and designer Joel Iskowitz, Executive Vice President & CEO for the Jewish Community Relations Council Michael S. Miller, and Bernstein Global Wealth Management’s Jeffrey Wiesenfeld.

Many don’t associate the Jewish community with The Bronx but our borough was once home to the largest Jewish population in NYC. To this day there isn’t a borough that comes anywhere close to the historic high of when our borough was called “the Jewish Borough” with 49% of the population of Jewish decent in 1930.

READ:The Miracle of Intervale Avenue: The Story of a Jewish Congregation in the South Bronx (Morningside Books)

In the South Bronx, the number was closer to 60% and it’s not uncommon today to see many former synagogues throughout our borough now converted to Christian churches of various denominations.

Mazel tov to all the honorees!



 

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Ed García Conde

Ed García Conde is a life-long Bronxite who spends his time documenting the people, places, and things that make the borough a special place in the hopes of dispelling the negative stereotypes associated with The Bronx. His writings are often cited by mainstream media and is often consulted for his expertise on the borough's rich history.