Out & About

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The New York Sun

The American Jewish Congress honored its president, Paul Miller, last night at a fund-raising dinner at the Pierre. Mr. Miller – who retired as general counsel of Pfizer three years ago – now devotes himself to the American Jewish Congress and other Jewish philanthropies including AIPAC, Tel Aviv University, and the Jewish Theological Seminary.


“And he’s very devoted to his five grandchildren,” said Mr. Miller’s wife, Carol.


The two met while they were both working at the same day camp in New Jersey.


The couple live in Livingston, N.J., near their grandchildren and their three children, Margo, Nicole, and Jason.


Among those who toasted Mr. Miller was the president of Signmasters, Howard Muser, who, like Mr. Miller, belongs to Temple Beth Shalom in Livingston, which recently opened the Carol and Paul Miller Education Center.


“I like spending time with Paul because it’s rare I get to play golf with someone whose handicap is as high as mine,” Mr. Muser said.


Though the dinner had its share of levity, there were also opportunities to reflect on the organization’s mission.


The keynote speakers, Senator Schumer and Senator Corzine, both praised the recent activities of the American Jewish Congress, including its support of Israel’s right of self-defense, its efforts to combat anti-Semitism in Europe, and its work on legislation that established a special office in the Department of Homeland Security to facilitate exchange of nonclassified security information between America and Israel.


The cocktail hour was a swirl of chats and noshes. The executive director of the American Jewish Congress, Neil Goldstein, talked with Clarence Jones, who is writing a book on his experiences as Martin Luther King Jr.’s chief counsel and speechwriter. The White House Liaison to the Jewish Community, Noam Neusner, discussed “State Department issues” with the co-director of the American Jewish Congress’s Commission on Law and Social Action, Marc Stern. Charles King, who is running for State Attorney General, chatted with The Forward’s E.J. Kessler.


Two members of the dinner committee, Fran Klingsberg and Carole Handler, shared their favorite Chanukah gifts. Mrs. Klingsberg received a pair of earrings her grandson picked out. “They’re actually Christmas ornaments, but he didn’t know that,” she said. Ms. Handler said her best gift was finishing work in time to light the candles at home with her daughter – despite finding herself in the middle of trying a case.


The New York Sun

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