Kessel honored by UJA-Federation real estate division

Real Estate Weekly, Dec 5, 2001

Richard M. Kessel, chairman and chief executive officer of Long Island Power Authority, was honored by the UJA-Federation's Long Island real estate and allied trades division at a fundraising dinner on Oct. 25. Former Sen. Al D'Amato presented the award to Kessel, and Gov. George Pataki served as the guest speaker.

The evening began with a moving memorial to the dead and missing of Sept. 11.

In addition to a moment of silence, the tribute included the lighting of a memorial candle and the singing of "God Bless America," followed by the "Pledge of Allegiance" lead by the Civil Air Patrol Color Guard. Rabbi Charles Klein, the spiritual leader of Merrick Jewish Centre, of which Richard Kessel is a member, gave a powerful invocation.

Ben Weinstock, of Ruskin, Moscou, Evans & Faltischek, chairman of the division, reminded the 180 attendees why they were there. "The terrorists who attacked our city, who tried to break our spirit and destroy our values, are not the only ones whose deeds change the world," he said. "What we do here to night also changes the world."

Weinstock shared stories of how UJA-Federation and its network of agencies have been responding to the victims of terrorism since Sept. 11. He concluded his remarks by stating that "a strong annual campaign will ensure that all those who count on us for life-enhancing and life-saving programs can always count on us, and UJA-Federation's newly created Terrorism Response Fund will help sustain and enhance the critical additive services now needed here, in Israel, and wherever terrorism strikes."

D'Amato and Pataki helped bring Weinstock's message home. "Terrorism is terrorism no matter where or what people," said D'amato, referring to the suicide bombings taking place in Israel and expressing his disbelief at the international criticism of Israel's policy of assassinating would-be suicide bombers. Pataki added, "I was appalled by what I read in the American and global press (that) somehow tried to equate Israel's retaliation against terrorists to the death of Israeli citizens."