MESSAGE FROM NATIONAL SHOMRIM PRESIDENT BEN GELBER
As I look back on my two years as National Shomrim President, I am grateful for the support that many of you have given me in helping me navigate my way around the organization. I will always remember the kindnesses shown to me and the true blue friends who were there for me.
Sadly I will not be joining you at the National Shomrim Convention at Sea. My brother Chanon is disappointed to, as he had a great time at last year’s convention. It was his first cruise and if we can, we’ll try to make it for a future Shomrim cruise.
NATIONAL SHOMRIM NEWS
As per the National Shomrim Constitution and By-Laws, the following is the slate that will be up for election at the Convention:
- President – no candidate
- Executive Vice President – Dave Rosenzweig
- First Vice President – David Appel
- Second Vice President – Jeff Grossman
- Treasurer – Marty Turetzky
- Recording Secretary – Scot Pomerantz
- Corresponding Secretary – no candidate
- Sergeant-at-Arms – Jonathan Schneider
- Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms – Stacy Barasch
- Marshall – Jacob Shrybman
Nominations will be accepted from the floor of the convention.
Reservations are now closed for the National Shomrim Convention at Sea. Our group is once again over 70 strong, with a nice mix of active, retired, friends and family of members. We are finalizing our speakers and group outing so a separate email will go to attendees with details of our many activities, meetings and events. There will be a recap of the Convention posted on the National Shomrim Facebook page.
As mentioned in previous newsletters, the newsletter will be discontinued as of January 2027. All chapter presidents, associate members and chapter members should ask to join the National Shomrim Facebook page so they can be up to date on all meetings, events, dinners and other important information. Please make sure you answer all the questions when asking to join the group. If you don’t you won’t be accepted. And please do not tell your friends who have no connection to Shomrim to join the Facebook page. We are very careful who is in the Facebook group and cannot allow strangers or bad actors to infiltrate and possibly post comments that have nothing to do with Shomrim or could post threats and hate speech.
The 2027 Israel Day on Fifth Parade is scheduled for Sunday, June 6, 2027. Details on the preparade collation and other information will be posted on the National Shomrim Facebook page.
CHAPTER NEWS AND EVENTS
Last call for the NYPD Shomrim Society 101st Annual Louis Weiser Memorial Breakfast on Sunday, October 25, 2026 at Temple Emanu-El, 5th Avenue and 65th Street, NYC. The ceremony begins at 8:00 a.m. followed by breakfast in the social hall. To purchase tickets please contact Josh Zucker at president@nypdshomrim.org.
Time is also running out to purchase tickets for the Shomrim of Illinois Community Heroes Awards Reception on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at the Doubletree Hotel, 9599 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL. Cocktails will be served at 6:30 and will be followed by a buffet dinner. Tickets are $145 per person. For information and to make a reservation please contact David Appel at dapple9029@hotmail.com.
It’s also coming down to the wire to RSVP to the South Florida Shomrim Society 2026 Annual Dinner Dance on Thursday, November 19, 2026, at Temple Solel, 5100 Sheridan Street, Hollywood, Florida. The theme will be “Polished Cocktail Attire with a Country Western Twist.” Advance tickets are $180 each, cash, zelle or check. Tickets at the door will be $195. Email Randi Meshel at treasurersouthfloridashomrim@gmail.com to make your reservation.
Chanukah is also quickly approaching, so save these dates for celebrations:
- NYPD Shomrim Society will hold their menorah lighting on Monday, December 7, 2026
- Port Authority Shomrim will have their Annual Chanukah Menorah lighting on Thursday, December 10, 2026, in the Oculus of the WTC.
MEMBER NEWS
Congratulations to Nassau Shomrim member Ashley Learned upon her promotion to Sergeant in September. And welcome new Nassau Shomrim member Lt. Harry Gilmore to their great organization.
A huge Mazal tov to Shomrim of Illinois founder and past president Sonny Lukatsky and his bride Neene as they celebrated 70 years of wedded bliss in October! That’s a record that will stand for many years!
Nassau Shomrim chaplain Rabbi Barry Dov Schwartz and his wife Sonia invite all Shomrim members to a dedication of a Magen David Adom Ambulance at Congregation Ohr Torah, 410 Hungry Harbor Road, North Woodmere, NY. This incredible event will honor Rabbi Barry Dov and Sonia Schwartz for their generosity of donating an ambulance to this important organization. It will be on Sunday, December 6, 2026, the second day of Chanukah, at 10:30 a.m. A light breakfast will be served. Please email BDS48@aol.com to RSVP.
With sadness, we must report the passing of the following Shomrim members:
- Shomrim of Northern California was deeply saddened by the passing of Alexander “Al” Anolik, a proud NorCal Shomrim member and great friend and supporter of their chapter, on September 14, 2026.
- Theodore “Teddy” Weintraub, a retired Major of the Baltimore City Police Department and one of original founders of the former Shomrim Society of Maryland, passed away on October 8, 2026, at the age of 97. Predeceased by his wife Anita, Teddy leaves behind his sons, granddaughters, nieces and nephews. After his 29 years of service with the Baltimore City Police Department, he was appointed to be the Chief of the Baltimore County’s 911 system and Commander of the Montgomery County Police Communications Division. Services were held on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, with interment following at the Hebrew Young Men’s Cemetery.
May the Anolik and Weintraub families know no more sorrows, and may they be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Israel.
CHAPTER PRESIDENTS!
There are a few chapters who have not paid their 2026 National Shomrim chapter dues of $100. 2027 chapter dues are being accepted. Please send your 2026 and 2027 dues to National Shomrim Treasurer Marty Turetzky, 1502 S. Ocean Blvd. Unit W-4, Boca Raton, FL 33432. Please email Marty to check on the status of of your chapter at rmturetzky@aol.com. Once again, please join the National Shomrim whatsapp chat as well as the National Shomrim Facebook page. Your members should be joining the Facebook page as well.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS!
We also have a few associate members who have not paid their $18 dues for 2026. We encourage you to continue your membership with National Shomrim. Additionally, we are also accepting associate member dues for 2027 for $18. Please send them in to National Shomrim Treasurer Marty Turetzky, 1503 S. Ocean Blvd, Unit W-4, Boca Raton, FL 33432. You can email Marty at rmturetzky@aol.com to check your membership status. And please join the National Shomrim Facebook page. You’ll get all the latest updated news and events about National Shomrim and our chapters.