Martin Reicher presents the sixth annual Irving Reicher Memorial Scholarship to Ms. Cindy Li.
On Sunday October 30, 2016, the Electrical Welfare Club held its 54th annual Award and Scholarship Breakfast. The event was held in the Electric Industry Center Auditorium. It provided a forum for us to share ideas on the labor movement and politics. This year we honored Scott M. Stringer, Comptroller of the City of New York for all he has done on behalf of all working men and women in our city. We also celebrated the contribution of club corresponding secretary sister Susan Roth who has selflessly given of herself time and time again for the betterment of others. Over 400 members and guests were in attendance.
The Breakfast began with Brother Marc Deutscher, Vice President of the Electrical Welfare Club and Chairman of the Breakfast, announcing into the auditorium the 60-member dais. The dais included New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, New York State Commissioner of Labor Roberta å_Reardon, New York State Senators Hon. Toby Ann Stavisky and Hon. Leroy Comrie, members of the New York State Assembly Hon. Michael Simanowitz, Hon. David I. Weprin and Hon. Alicia Hyndman, members of New York City Council Hon. Elizabeth Crowley, Hon. Rory Lancman and Hon. Barry Grodenchik, President of the NYC Central Labor Council, Vincent Alvarez, International Vice President IBEW 3rd District Donald Siegel, former Business Manager of Local 3, IBEW Thomas Van Arsdale and our own Business Manager of Local 3, IBEW, Christopher Erikson.
Brother Deutscher then introduced the color guard from Electchester’s Boy Scout Troops 357 and Cub Scout Pack 357 which was led by Matthew Deutscher, son of Brother Marc Deutscher. After the Pledge of Allegiance, the Hatikvah (Israeli National Anthem) followed by our National Anthem was sung by Cantor Aviva Marer, wife of Brother James Marer. Rabbi Gerald Solomon was then called up to give the invocation followed by the Hamotzi, which is the blessing over the challah bread.
While everyone was enjoying their meal, Business Manager Erikson called up a few of the elected officials and invited guests to say a few words. One of the elected officials was New York State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky and after her warm greetings to the audience, the Electrical Welfare Club in appreciation for her many years of service to our community and state, presented her a beautiful bouquet of roses.
Pictured from front (l. to r.): Assistant Business Manager Elliot Hecht, 2016 EWC honoree Scott Stringer, Comptroller of the City of New York and Business Manager and I.E.C. Chairman Christopher Erikson.
After a delicious catered breakfast, Electrical Welfare Club President Steven Sadofsky welcomed everyone to our annual Breakfast and thanked Chairman Marc Deutscher and Co-Chairwoman Susan Roth and everyone on the Breakfast committee for all their hard work. He then introduced the Master of Ceremonies for the Breakfast, former President of the Electrical Welfare Club, Business Representative Elliot Hecht.
Brother Hecht thanked the Breakfast committee for all their hard work putting everything together and then thanked the audience for supporting the EWC and being part of the Club’s history. Business Manager Erikson presented the honoree award to Scott M. Stringer, Comptroller of the City of New York. Comptroller Stringer thanked the Electrical Welfare Club for his award and thanked everyone in attendance for their support of Local 3. He spoke about being a watchdog on companies who take shortcuts on safety and try to cheat workers out of money they earned. He also said that as Comptroller, he has the responsibility to oversee the pension funds for all city workers and works directly with many unions to help ensure a sound retirement. He said that he is so proud of the work that the leadership of Local 3 does for its members and at the same time he is proud of all that the members of Local 3 for all they do for New York City.
Brother Hecht then called upon Dr. Gerald Finkel, Chairman of the Joint Industry Board and former President of the Electrical Welfare Club, to present the Joseph Jacobson Memorial Scholarship to this year’s recipient Caroline Eimer, daughter of Brother å_Michael Eimer and granddaughter of former EWC President Stephen Eimer. Ms. Eimer thanked the Electrical Welfare Club for this special honor. She spoke about growing up in a union household and attending Labor Day Parades with her family. Caroline is currently attending the State University of New York at Purchase.
Our next presenter Martin Reicher, Chairman of the Queens Chapter of Retirees of Local 3, IBEW who is a long time member and former officer of the Electrical Welfare Club made a very special presentation. Brother Reicher presented for the 6th consecutive year, the Irving Reicher Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is funded by Marty and named after his father, Irving, who was a 68-year member of Local 3, IBEW and also was a long-standing member of the Electrical Welfare Club. This year’s scholarship was graciously offered to the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the recipient was Cindy Li. Ms. Li who is currently attending New York University thanked Mr. Reicher and the Electrical Welfare Club for this very special honor.
Our guest speaker was Gil Tamary, Washington bureau chief for Israeli Television Channel 10. Mr. Tamary spoke to us about the ever-changing world in the Middle East and how Israel has become the major provider of natural gas to the region. He shared with the audience that Israel is at the forefront of technology and anti-terrorism innovations.
EWC President Sadofsky presented this year’s Electrical Welfare Club Service Award to Club Corresponding Secretary, Susan Roth. President Sadofsky spoke about å_Susan’s å_volunteerism. Whether helping out at the monthly club meetings, our annual MD Picnics or at our annual Hanukkah party, Susan is always there. Susan also volunteers as a member of the Amber Light Society and as a resident of Electchester. Susan thanked the Electrical Welfare Club for this great honor. She said that volunteering is all she knows. She said as a small child growing up in Brooklyn, she was taught that helping others was a ‘Mitzvah,’ a good deed and she has never hesitated to do mitzvahs whenever she could. Susan also acknowledged her nephew and her friend in attendance.
For his closing remarks, Business Manager Erikson once again took to the podium to speak about the work Comptroller Stringer is doing on behalf of all working people. He congratulated the scholarship award recipients as well as Sister Susan Roth. He also thanked Business Representative Hecht, EWC President Sadofsky and the entire committee for a great Breakfast of the EWC for the support they have always given to the club and Local 3, IBEW. He closed by thanking everyone in attendance for joining us at the Breakfast.
Once again, the Electrical Welfare Club’s Breakfast was a huge success thanks to all that attended and supported our event.
Dr. Gerald Finkel, Chairman of the Joint Industry Board presents the Joseph Jacobson Memorial Scholarship to Caroline Eimer, daughter of Local 3 member Michael Eimer, and granddaughter and great-grandaughter of former Local 3 members Stephenand Manny Eimer.
