(Courtesy of Chabad of West Orange) On October 8, Chabad of West Orange, co-directed by Rabbi Mendy and Altie Kasowitz, welcomed 18 Israeli Police Officers who are in the United States to attend the Annual Police Unity Tour. During the past four years, a delegation of U.S. police officers traveled to Israel to visit officers of the Israeli Police; and Israeli Police would come to the U.S. to participate in the Police Unity Tour, an organization with a mission of honoring fellow police officers who have died in the line of duty.
The group was treated to a traditional Friday night Shabbat dinner, preceded by a candle lighting ceremony and evening services. Among the guests were Essex County Sheriff’s Officer, Deputy Division, Michael Safris; West Orange Police Chief James Abbott; Essex County Inspector General Dominique Scaglione; retired Captain of Millburn Police Mike Palardy; and Deputy Chief, Essex County Sheriff’s Office, Stuart Slotnick.
The Israeli Police were led by Border Police Commander, Maj. Gen. Amir Cohen; and Chief of Judea Area Operations and Patrol, Yoni Zeitak. Also attending the dinner was President of Chabad West Orange, Paul Feinberg; as well as the evening’s sponsors, Phil and Shirley Levitan; Myron and Clara Sugerman; Seth and Chana Chosak; Roz Moskovitz; Libby and Igor Joffe; Michael and Efrat Weisblatt; Larry and Marlene Ritter; and Avi Vardi.
“This was truly an awesome and humbling experience for us.” said Rabbi Kasowitz. “It was an absolute honor to meet the Israeli Police and representatives from the Essex County’s Sheriff’s Office. We enjoy a wonderful relationship with the West Orange Police Department and especially with Chief Abbott. We are deeply grateful to all service men and women who risk their lives for our safety and security.”
Commander Amir Cohen, who spoke in Hebrew at the dinner, thanked everyone for coming and ended his short but meaningful address by declaring the traditional verse, “L’shana haba b’Yerushalayim, Next year in Jerusalem!”
Chabad of West Orange is affiliated with Lubavitch Center of Essex County and the Rabbinical College of America. Visit their website at www.chabadwestorange.com or call 973-325-6311.
