This year, the Simon Wiesenthal Center honored Matthew W. Daus, Esq. – Partner at the Windels Marx law firm and Chair of its Transportation Practice Group – as a “Hero of Tolerance,” at Yankee Stadium on August 25th. The honor is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to promoting tolerance, understanding, and human rights, fighting against hatred, bigotry, and discrimination, often at great personal risk.
Additional honorees included: Cheryl R. David, ESQ., co-founder of the Jewish Alliance and American Immigration Lawyers Association; Tom Grech, President & CEO, Queens Chamber of Commerce; Dov Horwitz, Director of Physical Security Programs, CSI NY; and Jack Simony, Director, Jade Mountain Partners.
Dignitaries and special attendees included: Ofir Akunis, Consul General of Israel for New York; Walter Moseley, New York’s Secretary of State; Ydanis Rodríguez, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation; Event Chair, Benjamin Massin; and members of the Host Committee, which included: Ira Goldstein, Cross River, Ann Arnold, Andrea Bolender, Gil Cygler, Rivkie Feiner, Vincent LeVien, Nina Ninasi, Hon. John Hogan, Paul Kaufman, Debra Tantleff and Rachel Amar.
“At these challenging times of division and unrest among people of different faiths and backgrounds at home and around the world, it is imperative that we all come together to spread the word of tolerance and equality, while standing up courageously (as the late Simon Wiesenthal did) for what is right and just,” noted Mr. Daus. “I have proudly supported this meaningful organization for many years, thanks to my good friend Ira Goldstein, who is part of the host committee.”
Perhaps best known for his work in the transportation industry, Mr. Daus was previously Prosecutor for the NYC Commission on Human Rights, where he prosecuted and investigated discrimination cases in the areas of employment, housing and public accommodation. He is also known for the following:
- Served as General Counsel of the NYC Community Development Agency, helping to in fund non-profit community-based organizations with tens of millions of dollars in federal and local funding.
- Served as President of CURE (Community Understanding for Racial & Ethnic Equality), which brought together community leaders of different faiths and ethnicities to solve problems and disputes.
- Conceived, developed and implemented a “Seeds of Tolerance” program for young children to learn about “equality, understanding, appreciation and respect for our differences.”
The Simon Wiesenthal Center is a global Jewish human rights activist organization that confronts anti-Semitism, hate, defends the safety of Israel and Jews worldwide, and teaches the lessons of the Holocaust for future generations through its advocacy and education programs, investigations, research, reporting, media, films, and museums. The Center has had a presence in New York since it established its Eastern Region office over three decades ago. Based in New York City, the Wiesenthal Center has a constituency of over 100,000 member families in the Tri-State area. Those wishing to make a contribution to the Wiesenthal Center can visit: www.wiesenthal.com/HeroesForTolerance2024.
