Bradley Abelow, center left, and Eleanore Cohen, center right, were presented with Star of Essex Awards by County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, second from right, on April 16. Freeholder-at-large Patricia Sebold, right, presented Cohen with her award; Peter Shapiro, left, presented Abelow with his. Also present was State Senator M. Teresa Ruiz (D-Dist. 29). Photo by Johanna Ginsberg
April 24, 2008
Balloons decorated the Hall of Records in Newark; a video screens played images of Jewish achievement locally and nationally; and musicians played klezmer music as the county held its annual Jewish Heritage Celebration on Wednesday, April 16.
The event, which attracted about 150 people, recognizes the impact of Jews on the economy and culture of Essex County.
During the ceremony, County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo presented Star of Essex Awards to Bradley Abelow, chief of staff to NJ Governor Jon Corzine, and Eleonore Cohen, vice chair of the Essex County Improvement Authority.
Abelow, who lives in Montclair, is a member of Congregation Shomrei Emunah. A former New Jersey state treasurer, he was named chief of staff to Corzine in September 2007.
Cohen, a member of Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, is a former councilwoman and mayor of Livingston.
Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz of Congregation B’nai Jeshurun offered an opening prayer. (Now located in Short Hills, it was the first synagogue in Newark, established in 1848.)
Peter Shapiro, who was elected the first Essex County Executive in 1979, and served for eight years, presented the award to Abelow. Patricia Sebold, Essex County Freeholder-at-Large, presented the award to Cohen.
The Essex County Jewish Heritage Celebration is part of a year-long series of programs initiated by DiVincenzo. Other cultural celebrations celebrate African American Heritage, Irish Heritage, Italian Heritage, Latino Heritage, and Portuguese Heritage.
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