Growing up in Brooklyn in the 40’s and 50’s was challenging: Floyd Kessler was a Yankee Fan. His family moved to Queens with the guarantee that his mother would have a kosher butcher near our new apartment. Scouting taught him the value of service to his community. It was special receiving his Eagle Scout medal at Carnegie Hall and to be elected by his peers to join the Order of the Arrow.
Since he had lived just blocks from Queens College, attending for a $16 registration fee per semester was a “no-brainer”. Having earned a BA and MA in Political Science, and prepping for Law School, a Professor, who had seen him instruct a class, encouraged him to consider teaching as a career. He continued at Queens College for a second Masters’ Degree in Secondary School Teaching then earned a PD in Administration and Supervision and a District Superintendents License at St John’s University.
Floyd’s career as an educator in New York City extended for three decades and included serving as a Dean, Assistant Principal, and Principal. He developed curriculum , resource guides , and city-wide assessments in the Social Studies for the New York City Department of Education .He also served as the National Council‘s Social Studies Urban Chair. Among his most valued achievements includes being chosen as the “Social Studies Educator of the Year” in NYC and receiving a special citation presented by the Borough President of Queens for partnering with B’nai B’rith to develop a District Brotherhood Program.
After “retiring,” Floyd joined the Queens College faculty and the City University’s Research Foundation. His instructional model, published in a nationwide journal, has been utilized by universities across the US and Internationally. He also instructed at LIU: Post for two decades mentoring international students and professors. He earned the rank of Senior Full Professor and was honored at the academic awards ceremony.
Floyd is particularly proud of three unique honors as an educator: joining an elite Presidential Commission as one the first educators, and only Jew, to open a dialogue with his counterparts in the then Soviet Union; serving as the “Jewish voice” on the NYC Multicultural Committee; serving as an educational envoy to visit Japan in the wake of 9-11.
Floyd and his wife Barbara have been active members of the East Meadow Beth El Jewish Center for 45 years. She has served as a past President of Hadassah. Our three children, Lori, Emily, and Peter, have served as officers in Young Judea, made pilgrimages to Israel and participated in March of the Living. This summer, our eldest of 6 grandchildren, will be making her first journey to Israel. They all continue to follow in our footsteps of having traveled to all 50 states on 6 continents.
Floyd enjoys supporting the Men’s Club and serves on the Executive Board. He also established the synagogue’s antisemitism “watchdog” committee, an activist group which has served as a support and mobilization network for the congregation and community. Our synagogue has also recently hosted a symposium on combatting antisemitism, bringing together a “full house” of members from the South Shore Synagogue Alliance.
It is with the deepest gratitude that I accept this honor. I have enjoyed supporting my synagogue, men’s club, and community, while at the same time, never forgetting my heritage as a Jew.
My sincere congratulations to those who are sharing this special moment with me.
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Sofie Glassman is a 17 year old Zionist Jewish activist from Long Island, New York. As the founder of her own nonprofit organization, Stop Jewish Hate Spread Love, Inc., Sofie builds bridges by spreading tolerance. Her advocacy journey began when she was 15, after she faced many antisemitic incidents. Becoming involved in her school’s Jewish Student Union club, Sofie found her community inside and outside of school. These students taught her the importance of standing up and fighting for our people. Sofie continued to join other organizations to further her education and advocacy. After the horrific attacks on October 7th, 2023, Sofie knew she wanted to do more. She began selling sweatshirts with the phrase “Stop Jewish Hate Spread Love”, and all of the profits went to helping Israel. However, Sofie knew that even more could be done to create a bigger impact, so she turned her cause into a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Through her efforts, she has become a pillar of resilience within her community.