First Orthodox Rabbi Appointed Consultant on Communal-affairs in N.y.c. Government

Mayor John V. Lindsay announced today the appointment of Rabbi Bernard Twersky, a Jewish publicist, as consultant on communal affairs, a dollar-a-year post. Rabbi Twersky is the first Orthodox rabbi to hold such a position in the New York City government. In a letter to Rabbi Twersky accompanying the announcement, Mayor Lindsay wrote that, “As I said many times during the recent campaign, one of the great challenges to my second administration is the development of proper channels of communications between the city government and the many groups which comprise New York. If we are to be successful in this period of great urban crisis, it is necessary for us to have the service of individuals with experience both in public affairs and group relations.” Adding that Rabbi Twersky had “for many years” had “an important role in Jewish communal affairs, serving many organizations and coming to know the needs of the people of this city,” the Mayor also said that “it is most gratifying” that the rabbi had “offered to serve our city on a voluntary basis.”

Rabbi Twersky is press secretary for the Rabbinical Council of America, and public relations director for the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America. He also serves as general secretary of the Rabbinical Court of America, which is sponsored by the Rabbinical Council. In his new post, Rabbi Twersky will continue a function during Mayor Lindsay’s re-election campaign when he advised the Mayor on approaches to New York Jewish voters. Two other Orthodox Jews also serve the Lindsay Administration. Last month the Mayor announced the appointment of Dr. Marvin Schick, a past president of the National Jewish Commission on Law and Public Affairs, as an assistant to the Mayor specializing in intergroup relations. Rabbi Bernard Weinberger, a former president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, has served for several years as the only Orthodox Jewish member of the New York City Council Against Poverty, the policy-making agency for the city’s anti-poverty programs.