3 Livingston ‘Heroes’ Earn Award From NJ Congresswoman

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Three Livingston community members are among 25 people being honored as a “hero” by U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill as 2023 draws to a close.

Ira Drucks, Sandy Goodman and Simeon Cohen are among Sherrill’s “2023 Heroes of NJ-11.”

As part of the awards, residents of the state’s 11th Congressional district were asked to nominate “everyday heroes” in their lives. After an outpouring of submissions, 25 were chosen as this year’s honorees.

According to a news release from the congresswoman, Drucks was nominated by his friend, Mark Jacques, who wrote:

"He is a Vietnam War Veteran survivor, assisted in the completion of the Vietnam War Memorial of NJ at the PNC Art Center, a member of the Livingston Masonic Lodge, Secretary for the Lodge, Chaplin for the Masonic Grand Lodge of New Jersey, president of his temple, president of the Better Business Bureau, chairmen of the 4th of July committee in town, owns his own Medicare agency, helps his daughters business, ‘Just a Dream,’ always offering ideas and suggestion for committees and charities in town. Wonderful father of a daughter, husband, grandfather. He is always running around 24/7 getting things done for the better of others. Very well known in and around town. All this at the age of 77."

Goodman was nominated by her friend, Martha Ackermann, who wrote:

"Sandy, together with her husband, Len, have carried on the legacy of their daughter's courageous energy, when she started Cycle for Survival, the official rare cancer fundraising program of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). Since 2007, this community has raised more than $340 million for rare cancer research at MSK, fueling countless lifesaving advances benefiting people around the world. Cycle for Survival was started in 2007 by Jennifer Goodman Linn, Sandy Goodman's daughter, a sarcoma patient and Equinox member — and her husband, Dave Linn. Jen sparked this movement as a way to give back to MSK and bring hope to people with a rare cancer, who too often do not have effective treatment options. Her legacy continues to inspire us today. Jennifer graduated from Livingston High and lost her battle to Cancer in 2011. Sandy and Len Goodman work tirelessly to carry on their daughter’s legacy, by attending most Cycle events, always a highlight in Livingston, and have dedicated themselves to making a difference in our world."

Cohen was nominated by Robin Sitver, a congregant at Temple Beth Shalom:

"Simeon Cohen is the Rabbi at Temple Beth Shalom in Livingston. He works tirelessly to provide support to this community of more than 600 families. He teaches children, visits the sick, helps families facing a loss or some other difficulty and much more. More importantly, he has become a leader in Essex County and has stepped up to be one of the leading forces who is trying to bring the healing that is needed since the start of the Oct. 7 Israel-Hamas war and the unbelievable increase in antisemitism and islamophobia. Rabbi Cohen is President of the Interfaith Clergy Association in Livingston. He has led a constructive discussion with religious leaders of all faiths on how to address this terrible situation. He led the Interfaith Thanksgiving service in which all clergy members, including Jewish and Muslim, offered a prayer of thanks. This beautiful service was attended by members of all faiths and was desperately needed and well received. He also spoke at the Livingston Town Council, spoke at a rally in Livingston and was asked to work with the superintendent of schools to help develop a curriculum on this topic appropriate for the public schools. He is a true hero in our community!"

All 2023 Heroes live or work in NJ-11. They will receive a congressional certificate recognizing their contributions to the community. See the full list here.

“I am so moved by the amazing people throughout our district making a difference in the lives of others,” Sherrill said, noting that this year’s list includes teachers, community leaders, volunteers, health care providers, caregivers and more.

“All are inspiring citizens whose stories should warm everyone’s heart this holiday season,” she emphasized.

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