They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and I found myself wishing for a few during my fourth attempt to row across the Atlantic Ocean. Battling an 80-pound weight loss and repairing hull damage caused by a shark attack, I sent last-ditch request to Rubenstein Public Relations.

Richard Rubenstein, the son of the legendary Howard Rubenstein—who played a key role in establishing the Museum of Jewish Heritage: A Living Memorial to the Holocaust—responded almost instantly. He stepped in to manage my communication needs all the way from Sint Maarten (DWI) to the Brooklyn Bridge in New York. Though not a sailor competing in America’s Cup, Richard showed deep empathy for the cause I hold dear—one that has claimed the lives of many close to him as well. Like his father, he embraced a lifelong commitment to fostering solidarity between the Jewish and African American communities.