De Blasio Brings in Simcha Eichenstein Into City Hall

Fulfilling a campaign promise to have an administration that reflects the residents of the city, Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed Simcha Eichenstein to a City Hall position, with an office in the “bullpen” and responsibilities on issues that affect the Orthodox community.

Eichenstein, 31, served as a senior advisor to State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli for the past four years, where he built an extensive array of relationships with Albany lawmakers. He will use those contacts to help the mayor’s agenda, working for Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Lilliam Barrios-Paoli and Deputy Mayor Richard Buery who is overseeing the implementation of the prekindergarten program.

In his new position, Eichenstein will focus on helping yeshivos with pre-K and vouchers, tweaking the programs where appropriate. Additionally, Eichenstein will deal with issues pertaining to health related matters that impact our community.

Eichenstein joins two other Orthodox Jews in City Hall — Avi Fink, deputy director for intergovernmental affairs at the Office of the Mayor, and Pinny Ringel, a senior liaison at the Community Affairs Unit.

This article appeared in print on page 4 of the January 2nd, 2015 edition of Hamodia.