Beth David Synagogue’s annual Luncheon series for 2024-25 will begin on Saturday, September 14. The community is invited to attend. Morning services will begin at 9:30 am, with the luncheon and program following the conclusion of services. The luncheon is free and open to the public. Attorney and community member Richard C. Lewis will be the featured guest. 

Lewis was elected to serve as the 2023-24 president of the New York State Bar Association. “His term began on June 1, 2023, and during his 12 months as president, Lewis introduced what have been termed groundbreaking initiatives,” said organizers of the event. “One of these was the task force on Combating Antisemitism and Anti-Asian Hate, which Lewis initiated in the first month of his term, and on which he served as executive committee liaison. The task force issued a close to 50-page report, which was passed by the House of Delegates in January 2024.”
Organizers added, “Lewis will focus on what his position as president entailed and will highlight in particular the task force’s recommendations on combating antisemitism. These include statutory changes that would make the Hate Crimes Act easier to enforce. Also proposed were acts to deal with internet hate speech, as well as ways to improve hate crimes reporting. Lewis will also talk about his experience with the various members of an Israeli delegation that came to New York during the height of the encampments and demonstrations.”

Lewis is an attorney at Hinman, Howard and Kattell. He is licensed to practice law in New York, Florida, Pennsylvania and Illinois. Prior to his election as the 2023-24 president of the New York State Bar Association, he served as vice president for the Sixth Judicial District for the New York State Bar Association. He has also served as the chairman of the House of Delegates, was a past president of the Broome County Bar Association (and recipient of the Ted Gallando Award), the president of Broome Legal Assistance Corporation, the chairman of both the Broome County Bar Association Grievance and Ethics Committee, and of the Broome County Bar Association Endowment Committee. 

As a member of the Binghamton Jewish community for more than 40 years, Lewis assumed many leadership positions. He is a past president of Temple Israel and served as president of Hillel Academy of Broome County from 2002-12. He is a past member of the Executive Committee of the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton, as well as of its Endowment Committee, and has served as chairman of the Editorial Committee of The Reporter. 

“We are honored to have Dick inaugurate this season’s Beth David Luncheon Speaker series,” organizers say. “Even prior to the horrific October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and its continuing aftermath, Dick grasped the importance of addressing hate crimes based on what he saw happening in the world. We look forward to hearing how his year as president of the New York State Bar Association was instrumental in bringing this issue to the fore as it relates to the reform of New York hate crimes law that was promoted and actualized because of his task force’s cutting-edge research and report. His meeting with the Israeli delegation will also prove to be a fascinating source of information and discussion. We encourage everyone in the community to attend this important event at Beth David!”

Beth David’s luncheon speaker series takes place the second Saturday of the month after Shabbat morning services and is open to the community. There is no charge for the luncheon. Since the monthly series’ continuation depends on the generosity of contributors, Beth David welcomes and appreciates donations to the Luncheon Fund in order to keep the program going. Donations can be made in honor of or in memory of someone, or to mark a special occasion. Those wishing an acknowledgment to be sent to the person being honored, or to the family of someone being remembered, can indicate that, along with the necessary information. Donations can be sent to Beth David Synagogue, 39 Riverside Dr., Binghamton, NY 13905, Attention: Luncheon Fund.