Phil Orenstein

The first “Rabbi Morton Pomerantz Veteran of the Year Award” was presented to Congressman Chris Gibson (R – Kinderhook), at the 140th Anniversary Lincoln Dinner. A decorated war hero, he retired as Colonel after a 24 year U.S. Army career.  He commanded the 82nd Airborne Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team during the opening month of a humanitarian relief operation in Haiti.  He earned four Bronze Star Medals, the Purple Heart, and many other medals of valor.

Special guest of honor Consul General of India, Ambassador Dhyaneshwar Mulay was presented with a bouquet of flowers at the annual Lincoln Dinner on March 22, 2015. He spoke briefly about building good U.S.-Indian relations, and that in India, a land of many diverse people sharing one land, Jews who have been in India since 200 B.C., Christians since 58 A.D. and Indians all live together peacefully.