I attended the South Florida Shomrim annual picnic on March 30th. It was great meeting Harvey and Randi and his board, and I was able to catch up with other chapter members. Marty Turetzky and Gene Fixler were there, too, and although the weather didn’t cooperate, they had a nice turnout. I hope this will be the first of many Shomrim chapter events that I attend, based on my family and work obligations.
I will be attending the National Shomrim Kaddish Service on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at Judiciary Square in Washington D.C. This is such an important annual commemoration, honoring our brothers and sisters who have made the ultimate sacrifice. There is still time to make your reservations to join National Shomrim, so please contact Shomrim of D.C. President Jay Gruber at jg1502@georgetown.edu.
I’m excited that I will be leading the National Shomrim delegation up Fifth Avenue in NYC on Sunday, May 19, 2025. This year’s parade theme is “HaTikvah – The Hope.” Gotta give thanks to several who pull this event together, including past National Shomrim President/past NYPD Shomrim President Steve Litwin, who does all the paperwork so we can march in the parade. We’re revamping our breakfast menu and upgrading the food, so join us on this important day. Together we’ll fill the streets with our Shomrim pride and stand strong and be loud and proud in our love for Israel. There will be a short National Shomrim meeting prior to stepping off, so chapter presidents and/or representatives, please make every effort to attend.
National Shomrim News
As we do every year, National Shomrim will once again lead off the Celebrate Israel Parade on Sunday, May 18, 2025. There will be a preparade collation with a light breakfast at Congregation Emaun-El, 5th Avenue and 65th Street, beginning at 8:30 a.m. A short National Shomrim meeting will be held approximately 9:30 a.m., prior to stepping off for the parade, so chapter presidents, please attend so we can have a quorum. If you can’t attend, let us know who will be representing your chapter. After the meeting we’ll head out to line up for the parade at 5th Avenue and 57th Street. We’re one of the first groups that step off and it’s always thrilling to see thousands of people giving our police officers, fire fighters and all our uniformed members love and cheers.
Although we’re saying goodbye to winter 2025 we’re not holding off on planning our 2026 National Shomrim Convention at Sea. Reservations are being accepted for the convention, which will take place on the brand new, yet to be launched new Celebrity Xcel cruise ship. The cruise will depart Ft. Lauderdale on Sunday, January 26, 2026 and sail to the beautiful Caribbean ports of St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Puerto Plata (DR). As mentioned in the last two newsletters, for those who require kosher food, there is a separate kosher kitchen on the ship with staff that has been trained in the Jewish dietary laws, so you can have chef prepared, delicious kosher meals. Our convention attracts many Jewish passengers, too. The Sabbath service at the 2025 convention was attended by over 200 people, with half dozen challahs that were requested for our group. We’re looking for speakers to present a topic of interest to our convention attendees, so if you have a specialty, hobby, or want to talk about health, Israel, or a specific subject, please let us know and we’ll put you into the convention lineup for our Signature Speakers Series. Please contact our official National Shomrim cruise planner Tony Lostumbo at 954.384.7245and sign up now, because once the deadline of October passes, you will have to pay the full published price. Our special Shomrim price is significantly lower and includes perks, so don’t hesitate!
Chapter News and Events
Nassau Shomrim recently welcomed a new chaplain to their department. Rabbi Elie Weinstock was sworn into the Nassau County Police Department’s chaplains corp by County Executive Bruce Blakeman. Rabbi Barry Dov Schwartz, Nassau Shomrim’s chaplain of many years, was also in attendance and at the ceremony and was also sworn back into his position. Nassau Shomrim now has two amazing spiritual advisors for all their members needs
- Shomrim of Illinois has a whole slate of activities planned for the year, so plan on joining them!
- Thursday, May 8, 2025 – Yom Ha Atzmaut Celebration, the 77th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel at Daley Plaza in Chicago. Join them to show solidarity and support for our Jewish community and homeland.
- Sunday, June 8, 2025 – The Greater Chicago Jewish Festival in the forest preserve on Oakton west of Lehigh. Every year Shomrim of Illinois takes a booth and educates the Jewish community of their role in the local police agencies in their state.
- Sunday, June 22, 2025 – Join them for the 2nd annual Chicago Dogs outing, a professional baseball team that plays minor league ball at Impact Stadium, Rosemont, Illinois. At $12.00 per ticket it’s a fun afternoon and parking is just $3.00. Beats the prices at the major league stadiums! Contact Elliot Cohen at toillenehoc@yahoo.com to join them.
- Sunday, July 27, 2025 is the annual bbq at Apachi Park in Northbrook.
- The annual golf outing is on Monday, August 25, 2025.
- Thursday, November 13, 2025, Shomrim of Illinois will hold their annual dinner, where they will be honoring the FIDF Midwest Chapter, It will be held at the Hilton Doubletree in Skokie.
Thursday, June 5, 2025, is the date for the NYPD Shomrim Society annual dinner dance at Da Mikele Palazzo, 69-02 Garfield Avenue, Woodside, NY.Dinner begins at 6:00 p.m.Tickets are $165.00 in advance ($175.00 at the door) and can be purchased at TheTicketing.Co/E/2025Shomrim or call Ben Gelber at 917.825.2861; Mike Kris at 917.994.1108; or Jesse Cohen at 917.887.7098.
Save the date and join Shomrim of Northern California on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. PSTas they present another fascinating speaker, Simon Dodd, a retired Sergeant Major for the Grenadier Guards for 25 years and Her Majesty’s Bodyguard for 22 years, in service from 1976 until his retirement in 2023. He will have incredible stories to tell about his service with the Royal Family and his military service. Please contact NorCal Shomrim’s President Jerome Cobert at jcopd1@comcast.net for more information.
South Florida Shomrim Society will hold their annual dinner dance on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Temple Solel in Hollywood, Florida.
NYPD Shomrim is planning its Mission to Israel. Leaving September 9, 2025and returning September 18, 2025, this 8 day trip includes transatlantic flights from NY or Chicago, visiting historic sights and Erev Shabbat Dinner at the Kotel. For information please contact NYPD Shomrim member Steven Lane at 917.478.1078.
Watch this space for updates and new events added!
Member News
National Shomrim Second Vice President/Texas Shomrim Vice President Jeff Grossman continues to advocate for support of Civil Squads of Israel, a virtual fundraising platform to assist communities and kibbutzim in Israel purchase tactical equipment so they can safeguard their citizens. It’s founder, Nir Alon, saw the need after October 7th, when many communities weren’t properly prepared for the onslaught they faced by the terrorists. It’s important to support them as Israel continues to rebuild after the terrorist attacks on October 7th, so please donate to Civil Squads of Israel | Help Save Lives You can contact Jeff directly at brooklynbodyworks@msn.com.
In March, 87 year old Holocaust survivor Ivan Gluck, father of Nassau Shomrim memeber Danny Gluck, was an honorary member of the Jerusalem Capitals hockey team when they played at UBS Arena on Long Island. Ivan was featured on the big screen and spoke briefly on the honor given to him. A fantastic tribute to a true hero and may he continue to be an inspiration to all of us til 120
On April 24, 2025, Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, past National Shomrim President/current Port Authority Shomrim President Scot Pomerantz and chapter chaplain Rabbi Mendy Carlebach traveled to Poland to participate in the annual March of the Living. Port Authority Police Superintendent Edward Cetnar joined them, along with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and his wife, New Jersey State Police Colonel Callahan and members of the Jewish Federation of Metrowest. The delegation met with Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon while at Auschwitz. The March of the Living commemorates one of the many “death marches” the Nazis forced upon concentration camp prisoners. These marches often had prisoners walk miles from one camp to another, more hidden location, so they wouldn’t be found. The March of the Living unites survivors, WW2 liberators, and citizens from every aspect of society, Jews and Gentiles, recreating the trek from Auschwitz to Birkenau, the largest concentration camp the Nazis built during WW2, walking 3 Kilometers (approximately 2 miles) in the same steps the prisoners were forced to walk. They also remembered our own modern day Holocaust, October 7, 2023, where our people were murdered and taken prisoner by modern day Nazis. This year’s March of the Living called for the release of all the hostages remaining in Gaza, including American and New Jersey native Edan Alexander.
Mazal tov to past National Shomrim President/Past Shomrim of Illinois President Allison Schloss as she was recently promoted to Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves. A retired Chicago Police Dept. Lieutenant, Allison has been a USCG Reserves member for 25 years and was deployed to active duty several times. Allison currently serves as Chief Investigator, assigned to the Coast Guard Investigative Service. Allison was joined at her promotion ceremony by several relatives and friends, including her sister and and brother in law Sandy and Jamie Adams, both retired U.S. Air Force colonels.
Mazal tov to Nassau Shomrim Keith Cohen on achieving the rank of Army Major! And big mazal tov to member Tyler Goldberg and his wife on the birth of a son!
Congratulations to FDNY Ner Tamid Member Andrew Schneider on his promotion to Lieutenant. He was joined by his father, retired NYPD Shomrim member Jeff Schneider and his mom. And a huge mazal tov to Jeff’s son Jonathan Schneider, National Shomrim Sergeant-at-Arms, and his wife Kristin on the recent birth of their baby girl Sophia Rose!
A very happy 94th birthday to the man, the myth, the legend, past Shomrim of Illinois president and original member of their chapter, Sonny Lukatsky! Sonny has been a friend, mentor and mainstay for Shomrim of Illinois, attending meetings, functions, and still chairs their annual golf outing. Mazal tov Sonny and til 120!
With sadness, we report the passing of the following:
- We were heartbroken to learn of the passing of Dr. Harold Davis, father of past National Shomrim First Lady/past NYPD Shomrim First Lady Julia Davis, wife of retired NYPD Shomrim Det. Steven Litwin, in February. Dr. Davis transitioned peacefully after a lengthy illness, with his children Julia and Ted and sons in law Steve and Marty by his side. Donations in Dr. Davis’ memory can be made to the Marlene Meyerson JCC in NYC.
- FDNY Ner Tamid regrets to announce the untimely passing of Katie Schupak, wife of member Shragi Shupak. A wake will be held on Friday, May 9, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Nichols Funeral Home in Wilmington, MA. The funeral will take place Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Dorothy’s Church, Wilmington, MA.
- National Shomrim Associate Memeber Jed Dolnick sadly announced the passing of his big brother Stuart, who lost his fight with glioblastoma. Although doctors gave him only 6 to 8 months to live after his initial diagnosis, he defied those odds and made it to 17 months. Stuart was preceded in death by his wife Judith Dolnick, and leaves behind his loving family. A private funeral was held and internment was at Spring Hill Cemetery. The family requests any donations to a charity of your choice in memory of Stuart.
May the Davis/Litwin, Shupak and Dolnick families know no more sorrows, and may they be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Israel.
CHAPTER PRESIDENTS! Please post all your chapter events to the National Shomrim Facebook page. As a reminder, please forward the newsletter to all your members so they know what’s going on. We want as many of you as possible to attend all National Shomrim and chapter events. Please make every effort to attend the National Shomrim meeting at the Celebrate Israel Parade on Sunday, May 18, 2025 so we can have an official meeting. If you cannot attend, make sure there’s a representative of your chapter attending. And if you haven’t sent your contact info to National Shomrim President Ben Gelber to add you to the whatsapp chat, please do so immediately. His email is gelber72pct@gmail.com.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS! Thanks to many of you who have sent in your 2025 dues. We still have a few members who haven’t sent in their dues, and a few who also haven’t sent in their 2024 dues. We know that life, work, family keeps everyone busy, but please take a few minutes out of your day to send in your membership dues. And please join National Shomrim or any of our chapters at one of the many upcoming events. We really want you to join us at the National Shomrim convention at sea. Look into it please, and once you’ve committed and attend the convention, you’ll make this your yearly vacation event.