Jerusalem Comes to NYC

By Tammy Mark

The distance between New York City and Jerusalem narrowed in June. In the days surrounding the Celebrate Israel Parade, prominent Israeli and American leaders, along with caring constituents, united to discuss, debate and demonstrate, all under the umbrella of concern for Israel and its future.

As the State of Israel marked its 75th birthday this year, leaders and lawmakers converged on Fifth Avenue to partake in the annual celebration. Parade participants included yeshiva day schools, prominent Jewish organizations, and synagogues across the denominations. While the marching bands added to the joyous atmosphere, the presence of protestors throughout reminded supporters of Israel of the urgent need for unity.

The in-depth work was done indoors at the numerous events and conferences held throughout the week. Politicians, media personalities, innovators and thought leaders gathered to address the most vital issues facing Israel and the Jewish people in 2023, with major symposiums organized by Arutz Sheva and The Jerusalem Post media groups.

At The Jerusalem Post Conference, led by Editor-in-Chief Avi Mayer, discourse was given on a range of topics. From the longstanding threat of a nuclear Iran and the new challenge of maintaining the balance of democracy in the State of Israel, to the upsurge in antisemitism and the powerful waves made by social media, a prevailing message emerged: there is work to be done, yet there is always a fundamental sense of hope.

Economy Minister and former Mayor of Jerusalem Nir Barkat presented a strong stance on Iran. “I think that the Iranians should be deeply concerned, because if they come close to that threshold, they must realize that nobody in Iran should sleep well at night – because we will never allow that to happen.

“We’re alert. We’re focusing. We’re focused on saving our own lives. They should be really, really concerned. And headed by the United States of America.

“I hope that Iran will understand sooner rather than later not to mess around with us.”

Andrew Miller, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Israeli-Palestinian clear weapon. And the President stands by that commitment, and we will continue to pursue it through all potential measures. We continue to believe that the most lasting, that the most durable, solution is a diplomatic one.”

Barkat also spoke on the domestic issues of judicial reform. “I think everyone understands that there is a majority of Israelis that understand we need change.

I believe as a mayor of Jerusalem, managing one of the most complex cities in the world, that when you want to create change, focus on the common denominator and what the majority agrees to.”

He added, “Prime Minister Netanyahu said that he wants a majority decision – wide acceptance as much as possible. I agree with him. That’s the best way to get the reforms to stick. And beyond that, I realize that eventually we’ll see, it’ll sort itself out. We have to sort ourselves out and focus on the common denominator – which is our security, our economy, how do we co-exist and live together in Israel.” when I spoke to some of my friends here in America, I remind our friends in America that we’re all on the same line.” Barkat continued. “We should all align together. And naturally, it’s going to be easier for us in Israel to do it in collaboration with the rest of the free world,

New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ focus was on issues close to home, namely the spate of antisemitism on the streets and online. He urged the audience to focus on spreading positive messaging, especially to the younger generations in efforts to combat antisemitism and promote harmony between people and communities.

Affairs, offered assurances of America’s agreement.

“President Biden has been very clear, not only throughout his tenure as president, but in his previous capacity as vice president and as a U.S. senator, that Iran will never be allowed to develop a nu-

“It’s imperative that we challenge social media to not allow it to sit inside the forts of our households and our communities. We have to not do something that we’re guilty of – we have to stop preaching to the choir – all of us in this room know the importance of fighting against antisemitism, bigotry, anti-AAPI bias and others. We know those who came before us marched with Dr. King and fought in the civil rights era.”

Conference guests included concerned citizens and lay leaders. Activist and CEO of Hoshen Media Victoria Zirkiev echoed Adams’ concerns. “I can relate to the mayor’s speech about how social media can be dangerous and spread hate. It’s probably the number one spreader of antisemitism. We need to stand up and fight the hate that’s spreading like wildfire – the most dangerous outlet that we never had before.”

The emphasis on social media continued during “How to Talk About Israel in 2023,” featuring Rabbi Ari Lamm, Bnai Zion CEO, who has succeeded in reaching the younger generation on social media, explaining how to effectively influence the discussion on Israel.

“We need to be on their phones because that’s where all the action is,” he asserted. Lamm stressed the importance of presenting in a clear, immediate way, with a high priority on wide distribution – people don’t want to do “homework.”

“You could have the best content in the world, but if you don’t have distribution, it’s utterly meaningless,” he explained.

There were presentations on the numerous advances inside Israel, such as the proliferation of medical innovations, growth in the investment and tech sectors, and the burgeoning real estate development. Businessman and philanthropist Sylvan Adams laid out multi-pronged plans to strengthen the country’s global image. The continual priority on the well-being of the people was addressed through “Humanity First: Muslims, Jews Saving Lives” with Eli Beer, founder of United Hatzalah, and “Challenges & Opportunities of Aliyah” with Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, Executive Director, Nefesh B’Nefesh.

In the midst of the important conversations, comedian Elon Gold was called in on Monday for some levity, joking about American Jewish tourists trying desperately to speak Hebrew. “Aich omrim…late check-out…?”

This served as the perfect segue to the recreational side with a panel on “Sporting Israel” with Tamir Goodman, “The Jewish Jordan,” discussing unity brought through sports and Israeli innovations in the field, along with Mike Sweetney, former NBA player and current assistant coach of the Yeshiva University Men’s basketball team.

Mark Wilf, Chairman of the Board of Governors of The Jewish Agency for Israel, summed up the urgency for Jewish unity. “In Israel’s 75th year, we are doubling down on our core mission to ensure that every single Jew feels a deep connection to Israel and to each other.”

The Arutz Sheva Jerusalem conference featured Editor Yoni Kempinski hosting notable Jewish leaders in public and private sectors, including Jerusalem Mayer Moshe Lion, Ambassador Gilad Erdan, former U.S. Ambassador David Friedman, the Honorable Ruchie Freir, and Malcolm Hoenlein, Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

Journalist Tal Heinrich sat down with MK Simcha Rothman, chair of the Constitution Law and Justice Committee, and American attorney and law expert Alan Dershowitz. As a key architect of the government’s controversial judicial overhaul, Rothman has been repeatedly personally targeted by demonstrators.

“Both sides are exaggerating and both sides are damaging Israel. It’s absolutely necessary to bring the sides closer to the center and to effect compromise,” stated Dershowitz. “This is not about democracy – Israel will be a democracy no matter what. It’s about minority rights, civil liberties – which are elements of democracy – but the basic definition of democracy is majority prevails.”

“I think there are basic elements of compromise that are possible,” Dershowitz added. “Bougie Herzog is the perfect person to unite the country because he’s highly respected by both sides.”

“There’s a lot of grassroots support for Israel, and that’s good,” he added.

Grassroots organizations were indeed represented. Chagit Leviev-Sofiev, CEO of Leviev Group USA, joined to discuss her family’s work in Jewish ed- ucation through their Ohr Avner Foundation, emphasizing how important education is to maintaining Jewish identity. Her father, Lev, was sent in 1989 by the Lubavitcher Rebbe to be the shaliach to revive Jewish life in the former Soviet Union after communism. Their work later expanded to provide free Jewish education in the U.S. and Israel.

“Over the years, people emigrated and left the former Soviet Union – some went to Israel, some went to America. People reached out to my father saying they cannot afford Jewish education and therefore send their kids to public schools – and this is the first step of assimilation,” explained Leviev.

Rabbi Pesach Lerner, Chairman of the Eretz HaKodesh slate at the World Zionist Organization, considered the Jerusalem conference important on many fronts.

“If we read the papers, listen to the news, one would think everyone has gone crazy and that Israel has lost the support of the American community. Anyone attending this conference realized how wrong that feeling is,” said Rabbi Lerner.

“Hundreds of people came to learn, to listen, to support. I found hundreds of true lovers of Eretz Yisrael and Am Yisrael, who believe in Toras Yisrael. They are the true supporters of Israel. These people follow the news, are involved in so many Israel related causes. These people understand and appreciate the many ministers and MKs who spoke. These Israeli officials felt at home; they felt welcome.”

Rabbi Lerner added, “If we care, we must be educated. Once educated, we must be vocal. Once we are vocal, we can make a difference.”

For 16 years, Michael Fragin served as trustee on the Board of the Village of Lawrence. This month marks the final days of Fragin’s service, as term limits prevent him from serving for more time. This week, Michael sat down with TJH in a wide-ranging interview to reminisce about his time serving the Village and about politics in general.

Although Michael grew up in Westchester, he and his wife moved to Lawrence over 20 years ago. The community back then was very different than what it is today.

“There was no community in Back Lawrence at the time. There was certainly no eiruv connecting ‘front’ Lawrence and Back Lawrence,” Michael recalls. “And there were only a few shuls in the neighborhood. Yeshiva Ketana was just starting out, and the other schools were much smaller, as well.”

Michael adds, “When I was getting involved with things, we didn’t have a single frum person on the school board. David Sussman was the person who worked on certain issues, but it took time for the frum community to get involved.”

Joining the Village Board was not Michael’s first foray into community service. Before joining, Michael served as a volunteer firefighter in the Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department for four years. The training was demanding, and the fires he had to fight were intense. And that was alongside being a Hatzalah member, a position that he’s proud to say he’s been serving since 1997 – first in Queens, then in the Lower East Side, and now in Lawrence.

“As a member of Hatzalah, you understand that whatever idea you had about your day can be upended at any point, at any time – there’s a certain mindset that you