Guest
This Appreciation event was held at the Sleepy Hollow Hotel in Tarrytown New York, in honor of Rabbi Moshe Margaretten, founder and president of Tzedek Association. The event was an evening of appreciation for Tzedek Association's many volunteers and partners, without whom the Tzedek Association would be unable to do its important work. The event was an evening with over 1,000 attendees and bipartisan attendance of members of Congress, the event was hosted by Tzedek Association on February 25, 2024. *** Entertainment Music by: Arranger, Bandleader & Producer - Mendy Hershkowitz and band Singers: Singer - Shulem Lemmer Entertainer - Avraham Fried Israeli Singer & Songwriter - Ishay Ribo *** Remarks by Senator Cory Booker (D-New Jersey) Senator Booker, who has previously partnered with Tzedek on a number of criminal justice reform efforts, especially the First Step Act, expressed excitement and optimism in working to expand coverage for infertility treatment for millions of Americans, an effort he is proud to partner with Tzedek on. Senator Booker then received the Tzedek Association Service Appreciation Award, presented at the event by Tzedek supporter R' Shimmy Galandauer. *** Remarks by Senator JD Vance (R-Ohio) Senator Vance praised the work of Tzedek including efforts to expand coverage for infertility treatment, as well as supporting the formerly incarcerated because we are a country of second chances. The Senator also discussed the importance of parents being able to educate their children in accordance with their values, the importance of religious freedom and he discussed at length the urgent need to combat the ugly rise in anti-semitism. *** Remarks by Congressman Cory Mills (R-FL) Congressman Mills focused his remarks around the importance of criminal justice reform, an issue deeply important to the mission statement of Tzedek, and how such reforms align with the values of all Americans. The Congressman also expressed how proud he was to partner with Tzedek on evacuating Americans who were in Israel and unable to return home following the attack on October 7th. Congressman Mills then received the Tzedek Association Humanitarian Award, presented at the event by long-time Tzedek supporters R' Avrom Yida Goldberger & R' Binyomin Philipson. *** Remarks by Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) As a former Ob/Gyn who delivered over 5,000 babies, Senator Marshall expressed how proud he is to partner with Tzedek and champion a landmark bipartisan effort to expand coverage for infertility treatment, including IVF. The Senator also spoke about a number of other pressing issues in line with the values of the Jewish community. Senator Marshall then received the Tzedek Association Medal of Valor, presented at the event by Tzedek supporter R' Mordechai Goldman. *** Remarks by Rabbi Chaim Aron Ungar, Shlita, Rav of the Tzedek Infertility Legislation Initiative. Rabbi Ungar gave a powerful and very moving speech that touched upon his personal experiences as well as so many others he has helped over the years. Rabbi Ungar thanked Tzedek's volunteers and extended blessings to all the attendees and to Tzedek for their holy work to bring beautiful life into the world. *** Remarks by the founder and president of Tzedek Association, Rabbi Moshe Margaretten. In a deeply emotional speech, Rabbi Margaretten thanked all of Tzedek's volunteers and partners from the depth of his heart for their incredible partnership. The rabbi shared a moving story of a couple who had struggled for many years to have children who experienced the miracle of the birth of a child exactly 9 months and 2 days after attending a Tzedek meeting on infertility coverage.
