On February 24, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.),was welcomed to HASC Center, a premier agency providing services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The senator was greeted by Abe Eisner, president of the board of directors, and by Samuel Kahn, the executive director of Hasc Center, along with many dignitaries and community activists. Kahn proceeded to unveil a permanent plaque created in memory of Schumer’s father, Avrum ben Yakov, z”l, followed by the recitation of Keil Melei Rachamim and Kaddish together with Schumer.
Schumer was given an abbreviated tour of HASC Center’s multidimensional Day Habilitation Program, and joined a lively music class in song and dance together with the special needs program participants. The senator expressed his delight to see firsthand the activities that bring smiles to the faces of the people in the program.
Following the tour, everyone gathered for a lavish lunch. The program commenced with Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein expressing his gratitude to Schumer for his ongoing advocacy and support for the Jewish community. Kahn introduced Annette, a most talented individual who attends the program. She painted a picture of Schumer’s father that she replicated from a photograph. The painting was presented by a program participant, Jonathan Vigdor, to convey the unifying appreciation of every individual who is a member of the HASC Center agency.
Schumer was very moved by the painting and spoke of his father’s roots and family history.
The senator reiterated his commitment to continue to be a “shomer” to the people who are fortunate to be given the support of HASC Center and its professional and devoted staff.
Ruth Lichtenstein, publisher of Hamodia newspaper, then spoke about the impact HASC center has had on her child and well as the entire community and thanked HASC and Schumer for all their help and advocacy.
Our thanks to the senator for taking the time to visit and to imbue a feeling of positivity and hope for the future.
By Yonatan Sklar
