Eric Dinowitz
Member of the New York City Council
from the 11th district
Assumed office
April 15, 2021
Preceded byAndrew Cohen
Personal details
Born (1985-11-21) November 21, 1985 (age 38)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseTamar Dinowitz
Children2
RelativesJeffrey Dinowitz (father)
EducationBinghamton University (BA)
Hunter College (MEd)
WebsiteOfficial website

Eric Dinowitz (born November 21, 1985) is an American teacher and politician. Dinowitz represents the 11th district of the New York City Council. Dinowitz is a registered Democrat. Dinowitz was elected in a special election held on March 23, 2021,[1][2] after the resignation of Andrew Cohen, who was elected to the New York Supreme Court.[3][4] Dinowitz assumed office on April 15, 2021 after weeks of the New York City Board of Elections counting ranked-choice voting ballots which were instituted for municipal elections beginning in 2021.[5][6][7][8][9]

The 11th district includes Bedford Park, Kingsbridge, Norwood, Riverdale, Van Cortlandt Village, Wakefield, and Woodlawn Heights in The Bronx.[10]

Life and career

Dinowitz was born in 1985 to New York State Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and Sylvia Gottlieb in the Northwestern Bronx. He graduated from the Bronx High School of Science[11] and received his bachelor's degree from Binghamton University, SUNY, as well as a master's degree in education from Hunter College, CUNY. Dinowitz spent fifteen years as a special education classroom teacher in the New York City Public Schools. As an active member of his union, the United Federation of Teachers, he served as a chapter leader.[12] Eric was the Democratic District Leader for New York's 81st Assembly District and has also served as the Aging Committee Chair of the Bronx Community Board 8.[13][14]

In 2021, Dinowitz was named to the City & State's Labor 40 Under 40 list.[15]

New York City Council

Dinowitz was also appointed Chairman of the New York City Council Jewish Caucus.[26]

Controversy

Calls were made for Dinowitz to resign as head of the Jewish caucus following revelations an Anti-Israel activist was named as director of the progressive caucus of which Dinowitz is also a member. Hank Sheinkopf, a former advisor to President Clinton and prominent NYC democrat advisor said "If Dinowitz remains a member of the City Council Progressive Caucus headed by an Israel-hater, he cannot head the Jewish Caucus." Meyer is against aid to Israel and opposes AIPAC.[27]

Music

Dinowitz is a member of New York-based Jewish A cappella group Six13,[28][29][30] who have performed worldwide, as well as making an appearance at the White House Hanukkah Party in 2016, hosted by President Barack Obama.[31][32]

Personal life

Eric is married to Tamar Dinowitz. They have twin sons, Alex and Jesse.

Electoral history

New York City 11th (Special Election) Council District
Candidate Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6
Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes %
Eric Dinowitz 4401 46.8% 4407 46.9% 4458 47.5% 4500 48.4% 4920 54.6% 5579 63.6%
Mino Lora 2129 22.6% 2133 22.7% 2175 23.2% 2183 23.5% 2401 26.7% 3188 36.4%
Jessica Haller 1383 14.7% 1385 14.7% 1407 15.0% 1416 15.2% 1682 18.7% Eliminated
Daniel Padernacht 1110 11.8% 1113 11.8% 1137 12.1% 1204 12.9% Eliminated
Kevin Pazmino 194 2.1% 195 2.1% 200 2.1% Eliminated
Carlton Berkley 172 1.8% 172 1.8% Eliminated
Undeclared Write-Ins 24 0.3% Eliminated
Inactive Ballots 0 ballots 8 ballots 36 ballots 110 ballots 410 ballots 646 ballots

References

  1. ^ "Eric Dinowitz". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
  2. ^ "Ranked-Choice Results March 23, 2021 Special Election, Member of the City Council - 11th (Special Election) Council District | NYC Board of Elections". vote.nyc. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
  3. ^ Olumhense, Ese (2020-08-13). "Bronx Councilmember Cohen to Leave for Judgeship, Kicking Off Special Election Race". THE CITY. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
  4. ^ Cruz, David (2021-01-05). "Special Election Set For Bronx 11th & 15th Council District Seats". Gothamist. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  5. ^ i_beebe (2021-03-31). "Eric Dinowitz isn't declaring victory yet". City & State NY. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  6. ^ Brooks-Powers, Selvena. "Ranked-choice, unready for its closeup". nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  7. ^ "BOE finishes hand-counting in Bronx special elections". www.ny1.com. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
  8. ^ "Eric Dinowitz talks special election victory". www.ny1.com. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
  9. ^ Mitchell, Alex; Cohen, Jason (13 April 2021). "Dinowitz & Feliz declare victory in District 11 & 15 City Council special elections – Bronx Times". www.bxtimes.com. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
  10. ^ "City Council District 11" (PDF). New York City Board of Elections. 2017-05-19. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-01-09. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
  11. ^ "New York City Councilman Eric Dinowitz Visited Bronx Science". Bronx Science. Bronx High School of Science. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  12. ^ "Resolution in support of the UFT endorsing Eric Dinowitz in his primary election for City Council". www.uft.org. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  13. ^ "Eric Dinowitz for Council 2021". Eric Dinowitz for Council 2021. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
  14. ^ Berger, Judy. "SAR Hosts NYC District 11 Special Election Candidates". jewishlink.news. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  15. ^ "The 2021 Labor 40 Under 40". City & State NY. 2021-03-07. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
  16. ^ "Oswald Feliz and Eric Dinowitz Appointed to Various City Council Committees". Norwood News. 2021-04-30. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  17. ^ "District 11". Eric Dinowitz. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
  18. ^ "Committee on Veterans". New York City Council. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
  19. ^ "Committee on Aging". New York City Council. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  20. ^ "Committee on Civil Service and Labor". New York City Council. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  21. ^ "Committee on Education". New York City Council. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  22. ^ "Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addictions". New York City Council. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  23. ^ "Committee on Oversight and Investigations". New York City Council. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  24. ^ "Committee on Parks and Recreation". New York City Council. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  25. ^ "Committee on Small Business". New York City Council. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  26. ^ "Jewish Caucus". New York City Council. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  27. ^ "Eric Dinowitz should step down as head of City Council Jewish caucus". 12 June 2022.
  28. ^ Kornbluh February 4, Jacob; Dinowitz, 2021 Courtesy of Eric (5 February 2021). "Meet the NYC Council candidate who's in a Jewish a cappella group". The Forward. Retrieved 2021-04-19.((cite web)): CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  29. ^ "Eric Dinowitz A Cappella Singer". www.harmony-sweepstakes.com. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  30. ^ Max, Rena (4 January 2019). "Six13 Performs At Local Day School". jewishweek.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  31. ^ Lakritz, Talia. "The White House didn't always celebrate Hanukkah — here's how the tradition began". Business Insider. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  32. ^ "Watch the Story of Hanukkah Hamilton-Style Just Like the President". Time. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
Political offices Preceded byAndrew Cohen Member of the New York City Councilfrom the 11th district 2021–present Incumbent
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