CENTRAL ISLIP, NY – District Administrative Judge Hon. Andrew Crecca is pleased to announce that the Suffolk County Courts proudly marked Jewish American Heritage Month with a well-attended and lively celebration held in the Central Jury Room of the John P. Cohalan Jr. Courthouse, bringing together members of the court and legal community both in person and virtually. The theme for this year’s celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month is “Jewish Contributions to the Great American Song Book.”
The highlight of the celebration was a dynamic cultural presentation by Dr. Rav-Hazzan Scott Sokol, a singer and Senior Neuropsychologist of the Gund Learning Diagnostic Center, along with saxophonist Ethan Lander and pianist Steven Belfer – three classically trained Jewish musicians – who combined an engaging PowerPoint presentation with live musical performances. Their program explored the profound influence of the Jewish-American diaspora on American music, offering both historical insight and artistic expression.
The musicians performed beloved classics including “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “Blue Skies,” and “My Romance.” The presentation culminated in a spirited rendition of “If I Were a Rich Man” from the iconic Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof, which inspired the audience to join in clapping and singing.
“Most people do not know that to a remarkable degree, music from Broadway was shaped by Jewish lyricists and composers throughout the twentieth century,” said Dr. Sokol during the presentation. “In many ways, the Broadway musical stands as one of the great cultural creations of the American Jew.”
Attendees also enjoyed a delicious kosher lunch, contributing to the celebratory atmosphere. The event, sponsored by the Suffolk Jewish Lawyers Association and the Suffolk County Bar Association, drew strong participation and was widely praised as both educational and uplifting.
“Today’s program highlights how Jewish Americans, through their heritage and experiences, played a truly defining role in shaping some of our most popular music and impacting America’s collective identity,” said Supervising Judge of Supreme Court Matrimonial Parts, Hon. Cheryl Joseph, who is chair of Suffolk County’s Equal Justice in the Courts Committee – another sponsor to the event.
As part of its broader Jewish American Heritage Month programming, the Suffolk Courts have also curated a special art exhibit currently on display throughout the month on the second-floor mezzanine of the Cohalan Courthouse and in the Cromarty Courthouse in Riverhead. The exhibit, which was generously donated by the Islip Arts Council of Bay Shore, features varied pieces by Jewish artists that reflect and celebrate their culture, traditions, and lived experiences.
In addition, on May 27th the Court will host a continuing legal education program titled, “Text, Tradition, and Interpretation: Jewish Law and the Constitution.” This program will be held both virtually and in-person at the Cohalan Courthouse, and it will provide an in-depth exploration of the intersection between Jewish legal traditions and American constitutional principles, further enriching the Court’s month-long commemoration.
