MONTICELLO, NY — The Landfield Avenue Synagogue (LAS) is presenting a special program in recognition of Yom H’ashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day.

“Building Bridges Through Kindness” will take place at the Landfield Avenue Synagogue on Monday, May 6 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., with light refreshments to follow. 

 LAS is honored to welcome Dr. Anael Alston from the New York State Education Department as the keynote speaker, along with local, state and federal dignitaries; clergy; and students from the St. John Street Alternative Education Program and Monticello High School, as well as students from the Monticello Central School District’s My Brothers/Sisters Keeper Program, students from the Hebrew Day School, and from local yeshivas.   

 Dr. Alston was born and raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn. “Dr. A” has been recognized at the state and national levels for his ability to lead teams to increase capacity and raise student achievement in the field of education. 

He is currently the assistant commissioner for the Office of Access, Equity and Community Engagement in the New York State Education Department. In this capacity, he informs educational policy across the state and administers nearly $200 million to help support students from pre-K through graduate school. This includes oversight and management of the New York State My Brother’s Keeper movement to improve outcomes for boys and young men of color. The program was created by President Obama. 

Under his watch and with a team, hundreds of thousands of young men of color are given opportunities, insights, strategies and support to improve their school and life outcomes. The impact of New York State My Brother’s Keeper caught the attention of the Obama Foundation, where Dr. Alston was asked to present from the main stage at the Foundation’s Democracy Forum in November 2022 and share some of the impact and outcomes for the New York program.  

Prior to that, he was the superintendent of schools for the Hamilton Central School  District in Hamilton, where he oversaw a 100 percent graduation rate.

 A former Golden Gloves champion, Dr. A continues to fight for the children and young adults across New York State, knowing that if someone did not fight for him, he would not be where he is today. 

 LAS Rabbi Jacob Stern will preside over the event. “Dr. Alston is a proud man of color and a member of the Jewish faith, giving him a unique perspective," Stern said. "We are honored he has accepted our invitation to join us for this special program.“ 

 “Student artwork, poetry, and music will be showcased, with a special student panel discussion led by Dr. Alston and Tom Bosket from ENGN to discuss how students are handling current events, antisemitism, and racist elements within our society today,” said LAS president Steven Grauer.   

 LAS welcomes all to come and participate. The hope is that through dialogue and understanding, we can build a better community for all.  

 For further information, email the synagogue at landfieldsynagogue@gmail.com or call 845/794-8470.  

Contributed by the Landfield Avenue Synagogue.