Monroe, NY – Over a dozen politicians, community leaders and clergy from throughout New York State gathered last night near the Village of Kiryas Joel in a private setting, to honor New York State Police Superintendent Harry J. Corbitt.
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Participants, joined by numerous sheriffs and other law-enforcement personnel, hailed Superintendent Corbitt for his role in monitoring safety and security at the Sloatsburg Rest Area on the New York State Thruway, a stop heavily trafficked by the state’s sizable Orthodox community, especially during the summer season.
Thousands of New Yorkers of all faiths travel to the Catskills every Thursday night throughout June, July and August—and as such, the state’s Thruway Authority designated an area at the Sloatsburg stop for afternoon/night prayers between 4:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m.
At the gathering, participants also expressed deep gratitude to Superintendent Corbitt, First Deputy Superintendent Pedro Perez, and Commander Robert Meyers of the New York State Police’s Troop T for their remarkable accommodations for religious travelers.
“It is my great honor to be here tonight with the Friedmans. Rabbi Morton Friedman and his son Abe have given guidance to me and many of my staff and members of the New York State Police,” said Corbitt. “I also thank all community leaders for this great award that you have given to me. [As for] the Minchah area, I will continue to make sure all communities from all faith have a safe and secure environment at the Sloatsburg area.”
“Throughout the summer season, the New York State Police, under the stewardship of Superintendent Harry Corbitt, have shown a sustained and commendable devotion to maintaining the well-being and protection of travelers of all faiths. Their gallant efforts are immensely appreciated by every member of the community they serve so nobly,” said Rabbi Morton Friedman, activist and Jewish chaplain for the New York State Troopers PBA who oversees the prayer area.
Longtime New York State Police Special Assistant, noted activist Rabbi Bernard Freilich said, “The entire New York State Police and its members are appreciated for their devotion and professionalism shown to the greater Jewish community.”
“”I’m here tonight to participate in honoring the New York State Police for their great deeds of working with the Jewish community,” said State Sen. Eric Adams. “As a senator involved in many communities I can state: I’m proud to be a part of this community and I’m proud to be a part of the work of great leaders like Rabbi Morton and Abe Friedman. They are true leaders and an example of building bridges between the community and law enforcement throughout New York.”
At the same time Klal Yisroel is urged to continue davening that Rabbi Morton Friedman, Mordechai ben Sarah, have a refuah shleimah and be able to continue his great community activism.
After helping so many yiddishe kinder davan mincha-maariv with minyen hashem should help Mr. Friedman to have a refuah shelaime, he really deservs it
I know mordche for a long time. He is a special, good hearted man who respects every yid. His entire life he is busy doing chesed and teaching is children to help every yid in times of need. May hashem repay him with a refuah shleima for all the chesed he has done for yiddishe kinder.
I know mordche for a long time. He is a special, good hearted man who respects every yid. His entire life he is busy doing chesed and teaching is children to help every yid in times of need. May hashem repay him with a refuah shleima for all the chesed he has done for yiddishe kinder.
what a great kidish hasam by the Friedman family ! they are tru leaders. may they have health to go on with ther great work for klal yisrooel
Maybe this approach of showing some respect and appreciation, inviting people over for a barbecue, etc. would work in the Catskills where some of the summer residents seem to have a hard time getting along. Before everyone starts screaming that its the fault of the year-round residents, I say that someone has to make the first move and sometimes the second and third.
Son like father Abe is a special guy who will help anybody in a time of need….May hashem heal his father Say tehillim it always helps .
I would like thank the people that gave there time to help all others.
I would personally like to thank all that are involved in making the mincha area possible I davenned there quite a few times this season, it is so heartwarming to see such a mosiac of yidden davening together , hashem should bless all those involved- law enforcement,askonim etc. with all there needs .
And for Mordces other great son who is the future NYC Chaplin Joel Freedman that works and always helps our People in the NYC Area !! A truly Devoted great Person !! May Hashem give him a bunch Hazloce !!