I see a lot of people speak. Most of the time, I’m bored out of my mind. I hate to admit this but I need to see someone who is animated, emotional and engaging.
Last week, I attended a fund raiser for Temple Emanu-El of Long Beach, NY at the Bridgeview Yacht Club in Island Park. Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg was the honoree.
All I knew about Mr. Weisenberg was that he posed in his skimpy bathing suit for an ad that appeared on Rockaway Boulevard by the JFK Airport. And every time I saw the photo, I shook my head. I don’t even know what the ad was about but whatever it was it didn’t make an impact. The impact came from seeing Harvey Weisenberg almost nude!
So when I heard him talk at the fund raiser, I expected him to be another boring speaker. Happily to my surprise, he was amazing. He was emotional when he spoke about his son with a disability and how he tries hard to help all children with disabilities. He cried a little when we thanked Cantor David Katz for singing opera. (He mentioned that he and his wife loved opera.)
He spoke quietly at times and then projected his voice at other times. I’ve taken a few lessons on speaking in public and I know for sure that he did the same. He came across great. He was engaging and very likeable.
After the event was over, I didn’t introduce myself but I just shook his hand. “You were amazing. A great speaker,” I told him.
I’ll be honest, I never voted for him before and know that he is up for re-election in September. But you know what? He may have my vote this time around…
He's always given a great interview!