On Tuesday, April 24, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and the Brooklyn Jewish Heritage Committee co-hosted Jewish Heritage Night. The annual event, which is open to the public, recognizes the myriad achievements of Jewish Brooklynites and celebrates Israeli independence.

“Tonight, as we celebrate our Jewish heritage, we also celebrate our great success in living side by side with those who look different than us, or follow a different faith, or speak a different language,” said Borough President Markowitz. “We celebrate our ability to thrive as a people among all peoples.”

Several Brooklynites were honored for their contributions to the community. Pamela Brier, president and CEO of Maimonides Medical Center; David G. Greenfield, executive director of the Sephardic Community Federation; Elly Kleinman, president and CEO of Americare Companies; and Jerry Greenwald, general manager and managing editor of the Jewish Press, Inc, were all recognized.

The event, which fell on Yom Ha’atzmaut—Israeli Independence Day—was also a salute to Israel on its 59th birthday. “As proud of Brooklyn as I am,” said the borough president, “I have to admit that there’s another place that celebrates Jewish heritage while encouraging diversity—and that’s Eretz Yisrael.”

Renowned radio personality Nachum Segal was a special guest at this year’s festivities, which also featured an invocation by Rabbi Serge Lippe of Brooklyn Heights Synagogue and performances by the young musical group, Generation M. The ceremony, which was sponsored by Signature Bank, was followed by a reception provided by the Sephardic Community Federation. Council Members David Yassky, Michael Nelson, and Domenic Recchia, Judge Martin Solomon, and Ronald Tawil and Sam Sutton of the Sephardic Community Federation were among those in attendance.