Mayor Booker Speaks at UJA Luncheon

 

Mayor Booker with Journalist, Reporter "Pagina" Jeffries

  On a wet and rainy morning Newark, New Jersey’s Mayor Cory Booker spoke at the UJA Federation luncheon to honor bankruptcy attorney Robert J. Rosenberg, recipient of the Professor Lawrence P. King Award.

  The affair was held on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at Manhattan’s elegant Waldorf-Astoria in the Grand Ballroom.UJA provides packaged kosher meals to more than 11,000 families each month. They give medication to the Jewish elderly, along with people in Israel, Cuba, Buenos Aires and in the greater New York area. UJA also provides financial assistance, along with rescuing and strengthening Jewish communities that are in distress. UJA gives limitless, according to them all in need are welcome to come and receive their charity.  

  “My three years working for UJA has been great, and what I love most is how much they care,” said Samatha a UJA employee. 

  The Professor Lawrence P. King Award is one of the premier philanthropic awards. The recipients of this award are issued this honor because each are deemed a leader in the bankruptcy and reorganization industry. Generosity and kindness is the heart that pumps these recipients to continue on being both boundless and selfless.

 Robert J. Rosenberg, a bankruptcy attorney and partner of Latham & Watkins LLP was recognized by UJA for 30 plus years of outstanding philanthropic work, along with his acts of kindness through various charities.

Rosenberg resides in Manhattan and is a devoted husband, father of two beautiful daughters and grandfather to three.

Robert Rosenberg

 Upon Rosenberg accepting his award, he gave honor to the people that always stood beside him. 

“My family is very fond of telling me that without them, I am nothing. I’m happy to admit to this crowd of my peers that they are right. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he said.

Prior to Rosenberg’s acceptance speech during the cocktail hour, many attorneys and close friends had nothing but accolades to say commenting about this award that could not have gone to a more well deserved, and accomplished individual as Rosenberg. Lana Israel an old friend of Rosenberg, began to reminisce about their years growing up, and playing as children in a Rhode Island neighborhood of more than forty years ago.  Israel admitted they didn’t grow up on the “silver spoon” side of the tracks but look at him now.

 ”My mother use to baby sit him. Bob is practically my little brother. I use to always change his diapers,” said Israel.

Robert and Lana Israel

  Accompanying Israel was her husband, Richard Israel, a retired judge and former Attorney General for Rhode Island. The two together looked out into the crowd with rose colored glasses as each soaked up the atmosphere while sipping cocktails.  

Once the grace was said and the breaking of the bread took place, it was then time to feast.  In the noise filled grand ball room sat more than 150 bankruptcy attorneys dressed in black and blue suites, dining at an $800 a plate fundraiser. And with the click-clack of silver ware hitting fine china plates, guests were cutting a well kosher seasoned pineapple chicken with asparagus, and rice. Following the main course was an appetizing assorted array of pastry cookies for desert.

Newark, New Jersey’s Mayor Cory Booker approached the podium as the keynote speaker. Polished dressed in a black suite and tie, with a stark white shirt, and sparkling black shoes, Mayor Booker stood at the podium to begin his speech. The enormous sounds of chatter dropped. The only sound to be heard in the room was as loud as a pin dropping to the floor.  Booker commanded the attention of the audience.

As Booker dazzled the crowded room of bankruptcy attorneys, he spoke very highly about his Newark residents that are making a participatory effort to enhance better living conditions in the “delicious brick city of Newark.” Newark was once an unsafe community infested with open air drug dealers, and crack addicted individuals living on the streets, which terrorized residents, and had some in total fear to leave their homes or even walk down the street.

 The Mayor’s Jewish roots originated in college while attending Oxford University- Booker a Baptist joined the I’Chaim society. A Jewish student group that literally enlightened Booker’s knowledge and understanding of his faith, and made him a more seasoned Christian of learning how to love and give more of himself  to others.

Booker boldly spoke of his first true encounter of having a spiritual “out of body” experience that transformed his life forever. In 1999, Booker became the youngest member ever elected to hold an office in the Municipal Council.  As a councilman Booker staged a 10-day hunger strike by living in a tent located directly in front of the low income housing projects that were the drug dealer’s haven. Booker vowed he would not leave, until the streets were clean and residents felt safe in their community.

Days went by as the young Councilman continued to sit, pray, and fast in the tent. Different leaders in the community heard of Booker’s efforts, and they too began to come in the tent to pray and encourage Booker to keep up the fight. Leaders of all ethnicities and colors began to come and assist Booker in an effort to regain the streets of Newark. Different companies, banks, hospitals, and local stores soon began to come to the site. Each set up tables and urged the project’s residents to fill out employment applications. In return, the residents were given computers, free medical testing, food and much more. 

Mayor Booker and Journalist, Reporter Miss Cat

On the 10^th day of the hunger strike Booker held hands and prayed with a multiplicity of people. Jewish, Puerto Rican, Asian, Muslim and African-Americans all began to pray to God in their native language with a loud voice.

 ”As people began to pray, I heard the voice of our ancestors,” he said.

Booker then began to feel what America was really made of- a connection of different threads that if brought together as one, can be used for the better good.

 “The great Langston Hughes wrote a wonderful poem called ‘Let America Be America Again’, and it says, America never was America to me. But this I swear, America will be,” said Booker.

With the intention of shedding light to a volatile situation Booker had an experience that will change his life forever, witnessing 350 hands held of people from all different ethnicities and cultural backgrounds, all on one accord praying to God in a their language for one sole purpose- peace, love and respect to oneself and others.

“Y Pluribus Uno,” (we are one of many). We all are a blending of colors into one, together we can do all things, but separate we will fail,” said Booker.

As Booker exited the stage the sound of applause, dangled in the air for about two minutes, and then suddenly the blue boxes sitting on each table started to accumulate donations from the attorneys for yet another UJA perspective project.

In the words of the UJA Federation: “he who purses charity and kindness will be blessed with a life of goodness and honor.” And on that day the UJA raised a whopping $ 1.7 million dollars.

Written by Pagina and Miss Cat

Christopher “Jazz” Grant

Have you ever met an African-American man, who just loved his occupation? Well I did, and I had a chance to take a walk in the shoes of a producer, musician, and songwriter. After about three long months of capturing video, spending time in the studio, and basically calculating every movement of this man, I can truly say that Christopher “Jazz” Grant is truly passionate about his music. He definitely puts his all in whatever he does. 

Check out what I mean!

Farrah Fawcett Fights For Her Life

America’s sweetheart, Farrah Fawcett is literally fighting for her life. Fawcett has been struggling with anal cancer for 2 1/2 years now and is trying to bring awareness for others with this rare disease.

Among everyday struggle that Fawcett deals with, she is also coping with the fact that her son, Redmond O’Neal,24, is in jail for illegal possession of drugs. However, the two were able to reunite just in time for her tear-eyed, heart- warming special on NBC, “Farrah’s Story,” which highlighted her strength to overcome her terminal illness and endure numerous painful treatments. 

This two-hour video diary not only spoke volumes in content, but in ratings. About 9 million people flipped the switch to watch footage of the notorious long, flowing, bouncy blonde, as well as hear her speak about deep personal visits for treatments in Germany and the U.S. 

What does this all say about Americans? Well, even though we all are bombarded with our own situations and struggles of everyday life, we still have that pure  human emotion that allows us to feel sympathetic, yet grateful for the blessings we do have.

May God continue to bless Fawcett and will to combat this terminal disease.

Obama Enforces Credit Card “Bill Of Rights”

Today, President Obama has made it very clear that the Senate should pass the credit card holders “Bill of Rights,” which could help hundreds among hundreds of people escape the nightmare that these plastic cards bring.

According to an article in the Daily News, President Obama is serious about this reform in the credit card industry and urged the Senate to pass the “Bill of Rights” by Memorial Day.

“You shouldn’t have to fear that any new credit card is going to come with string attached. Nor should you need a magnifying glass and a reference book to read a credit card application,” said President Obama during his weekly address.

The Credit Card Holders Bill of Right passed the House, but still needs approval from the Senate. The president said too many Americans are victims of “fine print that hides the truth” – including sudden rate hikes, unfair penalties and hidden fees.

What does this all mean? Well its about time, America actually had a President that cared about the plight of the majority rather than the rich folk. I believe President Obama is on to something good here. Almost everyone in America, whether rich, poor, or middle class can benefit from this serious reform. At a time like this, all Americans can appreciate saving money and a huge headache.

Paterson Reforms The Rockefeller Drug Laws

On a blazing hot Friday morning,  on a rooftop of a drug treatment facility; Governor David A. Paterson was surrounded by  music moguls, recently released inmates, and government officials, while signing the Rockefeller Drug Reform Bill on April 24.

From the rooftop to the streets, cheers and clapping hands were heard in Corona, Queens at the Elmcor Youth and Activities building.  And as some people looked on, some shouted “finally.”

“Today is a day of justice and a proud day for me and my colleagues who have fought so long and hard to reform the drug laws and restore our community, and our judicial discretion in narcotics cases”, said Governor Paterson. “This has been a 23 year battle that Senator Eric Schneiderman, and I have been fighting. We have won,” he said.

Paterson’s Rockefeller Reform Bill undoes some of the previsions of the former  drug laws, by giving judges wider control in granting non-violent addicts to treatment and tremendously expanding drug treatment programs.

However, the Rockefeller Drug Laws came into existence in 1973, under Governor Nelson D. Rockefeller. Rockefeller’s original law called for severe harsh mandatory maximum prison terms for addicted heroine buyers, who either possessed or sold small amounts of drugs.

These laws were intended as an effort to combat major drug “kingpins.” But in all actuality, if these “kingpins” were convicted, some were not given fair or adequate penalties in the justice system. 

“All of my career has been targeted toward fighting against this unfair and unjust Rockefeller Drug law. It’s so much easier to be tough on crime rather than to be smart on crime, and accomplish something that actually works for the good of the people in the community”, said Joseph R. Lentol, Assemblyman and advocate.

After many rallies, community meetings, commercials and mother’s cries a change has finally come!

Check out the visual story here! 

Sharpton And Patterson vs. Giuliani

Al Sharpton is back at it again! This time he has joined forces with Governor David A. Patterson to fight against his archenemy, Rudy Giuliani, who has put in his bid to run for governor in  New York next year. 

On Saturday, Al Sharpton and Governor Patterson rallied with some labor leaders and veteran black politicians at the Action Network in Harlem on 145 street between Lenox and Seventh Avenue to declare  Patterson’s confidence for re-election because he faces record-low approval ratings.

 The two together had the crowd in a frenzy, but Sharpton seemed to do most of the talking and called for the excitement in the crowd.  According to a Daily News article Sharpton had the crowd chant back :  ”Run, Rudy, run!”

But Governor Patterson had his fair share of cockiness in challenging Rudy Giuliani and trying to keep his seat at the same time. His exact words were:     “Who is out there that can cut the budget that effectively and remember those that have to be protected the most?” 

When I read this statement, I found it to be of little of no support to his argument for re-election. Is one  suppose to impressed by his budgeting effectively? And at what cost did his budgeting effectively affect New York City? Because all I can remember is two Queens Hosiptals closing, because of his persistence to pinch numbers. 

And as far as his statement to “remember those that have to be protected most” just sounds a tad burdensome and more or less apart of his job description. If Patterson can go that far to say that, then what about the people who lost their job as a result of him pinching numbers? Did he protect them too?

But the icing on the cake that proves Patterson to be a pompous, arrogant decision maker was this follow-up statement:  ”If there is such a person let them come forward and I will see them in 2010.” 

I sure hope Governor Patterson along with Reverend Sharpton are as confident this time next year, because the competition for the New York State Governor is  boiling hot! And other politicians such as state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo may try to sneak in through the back door.

Jamie Foxx-Will Always Be “The Man!”

Ok so Jamie Foxx, 41, made a comment about the work ethic of teeny-bopper idol Miley Cryus, who in return made a big fuss like a child and threw a temper tantrum. But despite all of her drama and tears, Jamie Foxx has staying power!

According to an article posted in the Daily News, Foxx had alot to say on his radio show The Foxxhole, about the “newbie” actress, who is trying to make her mark in the entertainment industry. 

When the on-air conversation went toward the 16-year-old pop star, his exact words were: “Who is Miley Cyrus?” Foxx also joked that Cyrus should “make a sex tape and grow up. Get like Britney Spears and do some heroin. Do like Lindsay Lohan … and get some crack in your pipe … That’s what I want.”

Though the comments may look harsh on paper, Foxx was doing one of the things he does best-joking around! And if it appeared as an insult then, these teeny-boppers should think about what they are doing before they publicise it. The truth cannot be tainted. 

Foxx is more than a people person, who knows how to work well with others compared to Miley Cryus, whose people skills may need some fine tuning.

Foxx paid his dues as a comedian. He joined the 1991 comedy sitcom ”In Living Color” in its beginning stages, and knew how to cooperate with big shots like  Keenen Ivory Wayans, Jim Carrey, Damon Wayans and David Alan Grier. But at the sametime owned the stage whenever given the opportunity.

More recently, Foxx has turned up his charisma full-blast! Foxx both captivated and commanded a huge crowd at Madison Square Garden in concert for his latest album.  

Foxx  is truly a seasoned entertainer and Cryus should have taken notes on Foxx’s words, because it sure can do her well. Maybe Foxx’s words hit her hard like ice, but perhaps it will save her from traveling down the same road as her competitors.

Mel Gets The Stepping!

So just as if the world could not get any worse, Mel Gibson, famed actor and playwright for the infamous Passion of the Christ is left all alone. According to The Daily News today, wife Robyn Moore let the cat out the bag, when she filed for divorce claiming irreconcilable differences, ending their 28-year romance.

Though the two have raised seven children together – six of whom are adults. Moore would like joint custody of Thomas, the only minor, who turns 10 today, as well as spousal support.

And on top of that, Moore is asking for a lot of perks that came with the marriage. According to the court papers filed, Moore demanded jewelry as well as a portion of the money, and other assets that Gibson has earned during his three decades as a Hollywood hitmaker, who is estimated to have made $850 million. 

I’m just curious as to why Moore could not hang it out any longer for little Thomas? I just find it very selfish and insensitive to the young man, who has to stand and watch his parents bicker over money or quality time with him.  

It is just sad that yet again, another Hollywood couple calls it quits! Will there be any couples left in the industry that can make it through this stormy weather? I guess not for the Gibsons. The word to the wise here is money makes the world go around!

Two Men Lost Their Job And Wanted Revenge

This weekend seemed to filled with heartache, depression, and violence mixed with revenge from two men from different areas in the United States, but the cause for the crimes were exactly the same. Both shooters Jiverly Wong, 41, and Richard Popwalski, 22, were upset over their recent layoffs.

Vitmanese immigrant Jiverly Wong was highly upset over the fact that he lost his job at the Shop-Vac factory in Binghamton, New York. Reports from Binghamton police states that Wong snatched two handguns, a bag of ammunition, and his body armor Friday for one final trip to the American Civic Association.

Wong was definitely making those at this civic center pay for his frequently visited humliation of his inability to speak English properly. See Wong had taken English classes for two months until dropping out last month, but none of this quite describes why he wanted to take revenge there of all places.

When Wong stormed through the doors of the civic center he graphically murdered 13 innocent bystanders, insisted on having a blazing shootout with police – but instead killed himself at the first sound of sirens, authorities said Saturday.

On the other side of the country in Pittsburgh, the same scenario was playing out but with a different participant.  Richard Popwalski, 22-year old was holding his gun tight, when he was awaiting police officers at his home.

Police officers were responding to a domestic call dispute between Popwalski and his mother Marget Popwalski, 44. However, the officers walked into a death trap. Mr. Poplawski, wearing a bullet-proof vest, was armed with an AK-47 rifle, a .22 long rifle and a pistol. 

According to police officials, the scene in Stanton Heights was like an ambush of gun fire. Those watching the tragic event from windows or from afar described the entire fiasco to resemble something like a war zone.

But the cause of the four-hour standoff with SWAT team officers all boils down to the fact that Popwalski was laid off from a factory in Pittsburgh and suddenly became  over zealous about guns and gun rights.  

Though there was a SWAT team and seasoned officers on the scene, five officers were shot but three officers died all at the cost of reporting to one phone call.  

What does this all mean? Society has reached an ultimate high and its individuals are furious at the unfortunate lost of a job. What is next? The economy is horrible and the unemployment line is getting longer by the second.

President Obama is trying to make things better by increasing the tax rate on the rich and wealthy, but can all of this solve the crimes of tormented individuals? Something has to change, because we cannot live through another violent sequence of revenge. Laws against guns need to be more strict and the criteria for applicants raised extremely high. This wild weekend full of gunfights was absolutely ridiculous and tragic!

HCZ Making A Difference!

 

 

Today Harlem Children’s Zone joined forces with other humanitarians, such as Kelly Rowland and Chris Wilcox, all in helping six-year-old Jasmina find a donor for her active form of leukemia.

Jasmina is in serious need of a compatible donor for a bone marrow transplant. She is adopted and cannot find a donor within her birth family. And Harlem Children’s Zone has found it more than necessary to answer this cry for help by finding an adequate donor for Jasmina’s case of leukemia as part of its 100 Days of Service.

Throughout the course of this week, HCZ staff including myself from every site in both the Northern and Southern Zones, have been offering help by getting tested for bone marrow or giving monetary donations. 

This event takes place at HCZ’s headquarters building in the National Black Theatre on 125th Street between Madison and Fifth Avenues from eleven to four p.m. If anyone is interested in helping or signing up for either bone marrow testing or giving a monetary donation, please feel free to visit www.hcz.org in this matter. Because the life you save, may be your own!