First-ever Russian-born judge sworn in at Brooklyn Borough Hall
The first Russian-born judge ever democratically elected in the U.S., Hon. Elena Baron, was officially sworn in as a Brooklyn Civil Court judge during a ceremony at Borough Hall on Wednesday, Dec. 20.
Baron, who immigrated to the U.S. from the Soviet Union 24 years ago, was sworn-in by Judge Rachel Freier, the first elected Hasidic Jewish judge, and was officially robed by Judge Odessa Kennedy, the first elected Iranian-born judge.
“Elena Baron’s victory is about America’s acceptance of immigrants,” said Gary Tilzer, who served as the master of ceremonies for the event. “Elena Baron is the first Russian-born and speaking immigrant to become an elected judge in America. America gave Elena Baron the ladder to become all that she should be, and she used the top step.”