JEWISH LAWYERS GUILD

Benjmain Y. Kaufman of Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP was sworn in as President of the Jewish Lawyers Guild by the Hon. Barbara Kapnick, Justice of the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department, on December 16, 2025.

The Jewish Lawyers Guild is an organization of lawyers and jurists founded upon fellowship and faith in 1962. The Guild holds a variety of activities, including lectures, programs and tours that are relevant to the legal and Jewish communities. In addition, the Guild participates in judicial screening panels and provides a Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program for its members.

“I am deeply humbled and grateful to accept the presidency of the Jewish Lawyers Guild and join the ranks of those who have led this great organization during the holiday of Chanukah,” Mr. Kaufman said. “Among the purposes of the Guild is to foster an interest in the traditions of the Jewish heritage and religion and foster the intellectual exchange of ideas to increase the esteem of the Guild’s members for each other, their profession and their faith. The Jewish Lawyers Guild’s mandate to support the legal and Jewish communities, fight discrimination, promote equality under the law, and provide financial assistance to those in need is vital and important work has not changed since October 7, 2023, but has intensified. As President, I pledge to do my utmost to uphold the Jewish Lawyer’s Guild’s mission with the same hope and tenacity Chanukah inspires. Let us move forward together, kindling new lights, expanding our reach, and rededicating ourselves to the pursuit of justice – a compassionate justice.”

The Jewish Lawyers Guild of New York is an organization of judges and attorneys and welcomes members regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, or other diverse backgrounds.  

We resolutely believe that all people are equal, are entitled to equal rights, and are entitled to live free from personal assaults. 

 Therefore, we condemn completely and absolutely all acts of violence, aggression, and harassment committed against anyone based on their  race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, or other diverse backgrounds.  

We specifically condemn all acts of antisemitic violence. Anti-Semitism, with its long evil history, based on lies, must be resolutely opposed by all people of good will. 

We ask our lawmakers to ensure that hate crimes are clearly defined, are well tracked, and have severe and certain penalties. 

We ask our courts and law enforcement agencies to fully enforce the law and to bring all perpetrators of hate-based violence swiftly to justice. 

With the fervent belief that all people are entitled to peaceful coexistence, we are the Jewish Lawyers Guild of New York.