TOMS RIVER – In a year marked by rising antisemitism and deepening divisions, the Jewish Federation of Ocean County once again recognized those who chose a different path. During a Community of Caring celebration, the Federation honored Heroes Against Hate at the Clarion Hotel.
The annual event brought together a cross section of Ocean County’s civic life. Elected officials, law enforcement leaders, faith representatives, and longtime community volunteers filled the room. The purpose was not simply to celebrate individual accomplishments, but to underscore a shared responsibility. Hate does not disappear on its own. It is pushed back when people are willing to stand up, speak out, and protect one another.
Keith Krivitzky, the Federation’s executive director, served as master of ceremonies. He emphasized that standing against hate is not reserved for moments of crisis. It is a daily choice that shapes community culture, and silence is never neutral.
He described an attack on a Hanukkah candle-lighting celebration in Bondi Beach near Sydney, Australia, where two terrorists opened fire on a gathering meant to share light. In response, Ahmed al Ahmed, a Syrian Muslim father of two, risked his life to disarm one of the attackers and was shot multiple times in the process.
Though the incident occurred far from Ocean County, Krivitzky said it reflected the purpose of the Heroes Against Hate recognition. “He (al Ahmed) is a hero against hate. He stood up for people he didn’t know because it was the right thing to do.”
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer was among those in attendance. His Hate Has No Home in Ocean County initiative, marked by prominent street-level signage, has earned state-level recognition for its effectiveness in addressing bias-motivated incidents and hate crimes.
Law Enforcement Leadership Recognized
Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy received a Heroes Against Hate award for championing cultural understanding throughout his career. Under his leadership, the Sheriff’s Office partnered with the Prosecutor’s Office on the Hate Has No Home Here initiative. The ceremony also acknowledged the prominent placement of a Hanukkah menorah at the courthouse alongside the Christmas tree.
Mastronardy credited his parents for instilling the belief that everyone deserves dignity and respect. He shared a family story about his father’s friendship with Saul Kleinfeld, a Jewish war veteran whose life was shaped by the kindness of strangers.
After Kleinfeld’s car broke down in El Paso, Texas, during his honeymoon trip to California, he and his wife were left without money. Kleinfeld spotted a Star of David in the window of a furniture store and sought help.
“He spoke to the gentleman who owned the store,” Mastronardy said. “And like many other people, what did he say? I will help you. I will take care of you.”
Kleinfeld eventually became so involved in the community that El Paso named Saul Kleinfeld Boulevard in his honor.
“For my parents giving me that attitude, everybody’s special,” Mastronardy said.
The sheriff also spoke about traveling to Poland to commemorate the Nazi death march and visiting Israel shortly after the attacks on October 7, 2023.
“There’s no more resilient people than the Jewish people,” he said. “Seeing how people respond to terrorism stays with you.”
Last year, he attended the 80th anniversary commemoration at Auschwitz alongside law enforcement officers from around the world and Holocaust survivors.
“That was a true honor,” he said. “Those stories will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
Student Strength
The Student Upstander Award, named in honor of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, was presented to Danny Hoffman of Barnegat, a first-year Penn State University student whose advocacy began even before high school.
Hoffman served as executive student body president at Barnegat High School and founded the Student Advisory Committee. He became a regular presence before the Board of Education, advocating for stronger special education programming and speaking out when inclusive policies were repealed.
“I saw real students losing support, safety and dignity, and that’s when standing up stops being optional,” Hoffman said. “I also learned that standing up to hate means building spaces where people don’t have to fight alone.”
“Standing up is uncomfortable,” he said. “But the cost of silence is far greater. As long as there are students being pushed aside, I will keep standing.”
Hoffman helped co-found Barnegat Pride and served as its first youth director. At Penn State, he continues his advocacy through student leadership and research.
Opening Doors
The Heroes Against Hate recognition extended beyond individuals to institutions. Christ Episcopal Church was honored for its work serving the homeless, those battling addiction, LGBTQ individuals, and others often pushed to the margins.
Accepting the award on behalf of the church, Deacon Ted Foley emphasized listening as the foundation of their work.
“Scripture tells us that loving God isn’t enough,” Foley said. “You have to love your neighbor too.”
Dedicated Service
A new honor debuted with the presentation of the Mensch Award to George Josephsen of Toms River, a longtime Rotarian known for steady, behind-the-scenes service.
Josephsen has spent 46 years with the Rotary Club of Toms River, supporting projects ranging from Sailfest to scholarship programs.
“This award belongs to my Rotary family,” he said. “Everything we do is a team effort.”
He highlighted Super Bowl Super Soul, an annual collaboration among faith groups and volunteers serving people experiencing homelessness.
“When different communities work side by side, that’s when you know you’re doing something right,” Josephsen said.
Hope After Tragedy
The evening concluded with Lifetime Achievement Awards presented to Annabel and Manny Lindenbaum, whose decades of leadership and advocacy have helped shape Jewish communal life in Ocean County.
Annabel, a current and past board chair of the Federation, spoke about responsibility rather than recognition. “Our country is so polarized,” she said. “Hate is hate. It doesn’t matter who it is being directed towards.”
Her remarks reflected years of service grounded in the belief that showing up matters, even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular.
Manny followed with reflections shaped by his own lived history as a Holocaust survivor. He has devoted much of his life to education and remembrance, sharing his family’s story so future generations understand the consequences of silence and hate.
He spoke about an experience in Germany, where a town unanimously voted to name a public plaza after his sister, who was murdered by the Nazis as a teenager. Children sang songs about shared humanity. There were no protests.
“That gave me hope,” he said.
