Lena Cymbrowitz

Lena Cymbrowitz
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the 45th district
In office
January 1, 1999 – August 21, 2000
Preceded byDaniel L. Feldman
Succeeded bySteven Cymbrowitz
Personal details
Born
Lena Azizo[1]

(1957-01-01)January 1, 1957
Egypt[2]
DiedAugust 21, 2000(2000-08-21) (aged 43)
New York City[2]
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseSteven Cymbrowitz[2]
ChildrenJay, Jennifer[3]
ProfessionPolitician

Lena Cymbrowitz (January 1, 1957[3][4] – August 21, 2000)[3] was an American politician who served as a Democratic member of the New York State Assembly. She represented Assembly District 45, which included the Brooklyn communities of Flatbush, Midwood, Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Gerritsen Beach, and a portion of Brighton Beach.

Early life and family

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Cymbrowitz (née Azizo)[1] was born in Egypt and came to the United States with her parents,[2] Albert Azizo and Lilianne Tawil Tawil Azizo.[1] She had a Bachelor's degree in English Literature. Prior to her election she worked in fundraising and marketing.[1] Cymbrowitz had two children (Jay and Jennifer)[3] with her husband Steven Cymbrowitz.[1] She died on August 21, 2000, after a long battle with cancer.[2] While in office, she had advocated for increasing monies allocated for mammographs.[3]

Career

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In November 1998, following a New York Times endorsement in a September primary, about which they commented that "nomination is tantamount to election"[5] she was elected in the 45th District's general election to the New York State Assembly, receiving over 70% of the votes cast.[1] to replace former Assemblyman Daniel Feldman.[6] This made her the first Sephardic Jew ever elected to state office.[2] She died just more than halfway through her first elected term in office. The Lena Cymbrowitz Distinguished Legislator Award was named in her memory.[7]

New York State Assembly
Preceded by New York State Assembly
45th District

1999–2000
Succeeded by

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "LENA CYMBROWITZ, Born AZIZO, Passes Away At 43". Historical Society of Jews From Egypt. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Liff, Bob (August 22, 2000). "Lena Cymbrowitz, 43". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on August 15, 2011. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Lena Cymbrowitz -- Brooklyn Assemblywoman, 43". The New York Times. August 22, 2000. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  4. ^ "Social Security Death Index (SSDI) Death Record". Genealogy Bank. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  5. ^ "Opinion: Democratic Primary Choices". The New York Times. September 15, 1998. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  6. ^ "NY Assembly 45: 1998 Race Details". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
  7. ^ "COJO Legislative Fete Welcomes a Who's Who". The Jewish Press. March 21, 2018. Receiving the Lena Cymbrowitz Distinguished Legislator Award