(Courtesy of Fleetwood Synagogue) At a festive journal dinner on Sunday, Fleetwood Synagogue had the privilege to honor New York State Assemblyman and longtime Mount Vernon public servant Gary Pretlow. Pretlow has been instrumental in preserving Fleetwood’s eruv throughout construction impacting its infrastructure in downtown Mount Vernon.

The dinner, all cooked in-house by the shul’s kitchen committee, featured a mouthwatering variety of appetizers and main dishes including braised lamb, Senegalese avocado and mango salad and lemon bars, as well as favorites like fried chicken and pulled beef.

Rabbi Daniel Rosenfelt remarked that like the biblical story of the spies, those who are advocates for Jewish people, as Pretlow is, are always remembered favorably. Westchester County Executive George Latimer, a close friend of Pretlow’s, spoke of the countless initiatives spearheaded by Pretlow in his years in office. Pretlow was gracious in accepting the honor, noting humbly that he did not get into public service for the accolades.

The joyous atmosphere was a fitting return to the in-person journal dinner for the first time since 2019. An open bar certainly helped with the ambiance, as Pretlow joked that he’d be converting to Judaism solely for the drinks.