NYS Attorney General Letitia James Address Issues of Concern

Following a rise in national and local anti-Semitism and hate crimes, New York State’s new Attorney General Letitia James addressed issues of concern to the county’s Jewish community at the Annual Westchester Government Relations Legislative Briefing. The event took place on Thursday, May 23, 2019, at Temple Israel Center in White Plains. Over 200 guests were in attendance.

New York State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Westchester County Executive George Latimer also shared remarks at the breakfast, which is sponsored by UJA-Federation of New York and Westchester Jewish Council.

The U.S. Jewish community experienced near-historic levels of anti-Semitism in 2018, including a doubling of anti-Semitic assaults and the single deadliest attack against the Jewish community in American history, according to data from the Anti-Defamation League. A total of 1,879 attacks against Jews and Jewish institutions were recorded across the country in 2018, the third-highest year on record since ADL started tracking such data in the 1970s.

At the breakfast, Attorney General James shared her intolerance for hate, and her commitment to take the necessary actions to protect all New Yorkers against any form of bias. “I will strongly take action to protect New Yorkers against hate and ensure full justice is served, and will prosecute to the full extent of the law to protect religious freedom and civil rights,” she said.

Ms. James also spoke about the efforts her office is taking to provide safe and affordable housing for all New Yorkers, respond to the opioid crisis, and protect vulnerable populations from phone scams.

On January 1, 2019, Letitia “Tish” James took office as the 67th Attorney General for the State of New York. With decades of work, she is an experienced attorney and public servant with a long record of accomplishments. She is the first woman of color to hold statewide office in New York and the first woman to be elected Attorney General. In 2013, Ms. James was elected Public Advocate for the City of New York. As Public Advocate, Ms. James served as a watchdog over New York City government agencies and as an advocate for the City’s most vulnerable communities.

Joseph Rafalowicz of New Rochelle serves as chair of UJA-Federation’s Westchester Government Relations Committee, Karen Everett of Larchmont as vice chair. Harriet Schleifer of Chappaqua and Arnold Linhardt of Bronxville serve as Westchester Jewish Council Government Relations Vice Chair and Chair, respectively.

Photos:

[UJA Govt Breakfast 1]

(From left) Marilyn Gottlieb, UJA-Federation of New York Public Policy Committee Chair; New York State Attorney General Letitia James; Joseph Rafalowicz of New Rochelle, chair of UJA-Federation’s Westchester Government Relations Committee;Karen Everett of Larchmont, vice chair of UJA-Federation’s Government Relations Committee.

[UJA Govt Breakfast 2]

Joseph Rafalowicz of New Rochelle, chair of UJA-Federation’s Westchester Government Relations Committee; Westchester District Attorney Anthony Scarpino; New York State Attorney General Letitia James; Karen Everett of Larchmont, vice chair of UJA-Federation’s Government Relations Committee.

[UJA Govt Breakfast 3]

Arnold Linhardt of Bronxville , Westchester Jewish Council Government Relations Chair; Marilyn Gottlieb, UJA-Federation of New York Public Policy Committee Chair; Joseph Rafalowicz of New Rochelle, Chair of UJA-Federation’s Westchester Government Relations Committee; Westchester District Attorney Anthony Scarpino; New York State Attorney General Letitia James; New York State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins; Karen Everett of Larchmont, Vice Chair of UJA-Federation’s Government Relations Committee.

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About UJA-Federation of New York:

For more than 100 years, UJA-Federation has brought New Yorkers together to solve some of the most pressing problems facing our community. Through UJA-Federation, more than 50,000 donors impact the issues that matter most to them, pooling their resources to care for Jews everywhere and New Yorkers of all backgrounds, respond to crises close to home and far away, and shape our Jewish future. Working with a network of hundreds of nonprofits, UJA-Federation extends its reach from New York to Israel to nearly 70 other countries around the world, touching 4.5 million people each year. For more information on how to donate or volunteer, please visit our website at www.ujafedny.org .

About Westchester Jewish Council

The Westchester Jewish Council is the central communicating, convening and safeguarding body for the county's Jewish community, representing over 140 Jewish organizations and serving 150,000 Jews. As Westchester's Jewish community relations organization, the Council unites Westchester Jewry with the State of Israel, fosters communication among Jewish organizations and cultivates and strengthens relations with other ethnic groups, elected officials and the community at large. The Council encourages participation in Jewish life and supports and develops initiatives and programs that meet existing and emerging Jewish communal needs.