Five Towners show their support for Israel in Cedarhurst Park

For the second time in two-plus years, Andrew J. Parise Cedarhurst Park, in the heart of Cedarhurst village, hosted a rally that called for the support of Jews everywhere and Israel eight days after the terrorist group Hamas attacked the Jewish state.

Cedarhurst Park had roughly up to 4,000 people unite against antisemitism in May 2021. And, on Oct. 15, official estimates say that around 3,000 joined together to show their concern for Israel.

Cedarhurst mayor Benjamin Weinstock, who served as the event’s emcee, emphasized that the rally was a call for unity not just for today, but in weeks and months ahead.

“We’re here to show solidarity and support for the state of Israel,” he said, “and for our American friends that are there. Israel is the ancestral home for the Jewish people, and it’s a place that deserves to be a haven for Jews.”

Assemblyman and Cedarhurst deputy mayor Ari Brown, who said that “we are stronger together” read the names of over 20 speakers in attendance, including U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, former U.S. Sen. Alfonse D’Amato, state Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick Fitzpatrick, Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin, and Nassau County Legislator Howard Kopel.

Village Trustees Daniel Plaut and Myrna Zisman had just flown in from Israel that Sunday morning.

“I left my heart in Israel,” said Zisman, while Plaut condemned the atrocities against the innocent. “I don’t have to tell you what it feels like to be hustled into a bomb shelter with 20 or 30 other people,” he said. “Throughout all this horror, we are fortunate to have the strength of our friends with us. I’ve spoken from this stage many times, and today’s crowd is the largest I’ve ever seen.”

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, the first Jewish county executive, praised Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder “and the magnificent men and women of the Nassau Police department, who keep us safe every day.”

Ryder was not surprised at the very large turnout: “This is a very tight-knit community, and they show up for each other.”

Arlene Silverstein, of Woodmere, was monitoring a booth gathering hand-written letters from families thanking President Biden and cabinet members “for the unwavering support of Israel during these most trying times.”

Children from Young Israel of Woodmere will hand-deliver several boxes filled with these letters to the Oval Office in Washington, D.C., along with Rabbi Shalom Axelrod and Rabbi Shay Schachter.

“I just returned from Israel and saw missiles flying overhead in Jerusalem. I’ve always valued the relationship that the United States has with Israel, and now more than ever they need our help. We have a democracy in that part of the world which is the United States’ greatest ally,” Silverstein said.

Many in the crowd were holding signs that read: “The Five Towns Stands with Israel.”

“Israel represents hope, and the historical home of the Jewish people,” said Woodmere resident Adam Kaufman. “If we can’t be there ourselves, then we do what we can to raise our voices.”

Leba Sonneberg, of North Woodmere, has a sister and a grandson currently studying in Israel. Judah Cohen’s mother and grandparents were refugees from the Nazis.

“All of our thoughts and prayers go out to every single person in Israel who is suffering through this,” he said.

Temple Israel of Lawrence Rabbi Emeritus Jay Rosenbaum closed the rally with a prayer and a reflection:

“We stand here together in love,” he said. “We will replace evil with love.”