Celebration Confirms "We're All Immigrants!"

by Judy Silberstein, Photos by Gerry Kolbert

( September 26, 2002 ) There was a full-house at the Emelin Theater on Wednesday night gathered to support the Hispanic Resource Center and its "Celebration of Immigrants: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow". "The message of all of us having an immigrant background came through," declared Harold Wolfson from the Hispanic Resource Center Board. "We were gratified that every seat was taken, said Board member and event organizer Elaine Chapnick. "Suzi Oppenheimer was there from the state, George Latimer and Martha Lopez were there from Westchester County, and all of our municipal official from Larchmont and Mamaroneck were there," she reported. In addition, the house was packed with politicians, members of various community boards, students and other residents.

In honor of the event, Town Supervisor Valerie O'Keeffe and Mayors Phil Trifilletti and Ken Bialo joined in proclaiming September 25, 2002 "Immigrant Celebration Day." "Many in the crowd were moved," said Chapnick, "by Mayor Trifilleti's speech welcoming everyoneand recalling that Mamaroneck has a long tradition of embracing immigrants and integrating them into the productive life of the community."

The highlight of the evening was the video produced by Diana Marszalek. "It was fantastic!" reported Chapnick. It recounted the stories of eight local immigrants including Larchmont Trustee Marlene Kolbert who landed here as a child when her family fled Nazi Germany and Bill Feldman who fled Cuba during the beginning of the Castro era and now is a successul banker and realtor. Another highlight was Ben Model's piano accompaniment for the showing of the Charlie Chaplin silent film classic "The Immigrant." "Ben was excellent," stated Wolfson.

Chapnick was delighted to report, "We made our goal of $50,000," but she added, "that was only the beginning to launch us on the many projects we're undertaking. We need continued support for our ongoing operations." She encouraged supporters to mail checks made out to the "Hispanic Resource Center" to P.O. Box 312, Mamaroneck, NY 10543 or to call 833-1552 for further information.

For Wolfson, though, the "icing on the cake" was the Mamaroneck High School Concert Choir singing "Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor" from Irving Berlin's show "Miss Liberty." The choir was preceded by Reverend Bill Crawford's reading from the Emma Lazarus poem which inspired Berlin. "Afterwards, there were a lot of moist eyes," he said, "including my own."

Town Supervisor O'Keeffe and President of the Hispanic Resource Center Beatriz Serrano

Emelin Lobby packed with supporters

Politicians and supporters hobnob in the lobby.

MHS Concert Choir performs Irving Berlin's "Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor"

Ben Model prepares to accompany Charlie Chaplin silent film classic "The Immigrant." Below, Reverend Crawford addresses the assembly; local and Westchester County leaders proclaim "Immigrant Celebration Day."

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