Five Towns residents rally to support Israel one year later

One year after the terrorist group Hamas attacked Israel and killed nearly 1,200 people, Five Towns residents and from the surrounding communities gathered in Cedarhurst to show their support for the Jewish state.

At its height, up to roughly 1,500 people sat, stood, applauded, cheered and waved flags and placards in Andrew J. Parise Cedarhurst Park on Sunday as several speakers took to the Town of Hempstead provided stage to advocate for the Jewish state as warlike conditions have intensified in the Middle East.

“We are an unbreakable people,” said Benjamin Weinstock, the mayor of Cedarhurst.

Israel and Hamas have been at war since last year’s Oct. 7 attacks and in the past weeks Israel has been attacked and attacked Hezbollah, another terrorist group, and Iran.

Hamas still holds more than 100 men, women, and children in captivity, including one Long Islander, Omer Neutra, of Plainview.

“Reflecting upon the past year, a crucial lesson is to be learned,” said Emily Austin, a Hewlett Harbor resident who is known as a strong advocate for Israel. “We need to adjust our expectations and not succumb to false hope. If we have false expectations, it might lead us to believing a false reality. And the reality is that the world chose silence.”

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman noted Austin’s civic involvement and unveiled that he has nominated her to serve on the Nassau County Bridge Authority board.   

The speakers spoke in strident tones to defend Israel as most of the world has condemned the Jewish state for its strong defense.

“What happened on Oct. 7 is not about the Jewish people, it’s about all freedom-loving  people and this is our fight against that,” said Assemblyman Ari Brown, who is running for re-election against Tina Posterli.

Brown, who also serves as deputy mayor of Cedarhurst village, helped organized the event along with the Marion & Aaron Gural JCC. Attendees were given miniature American and Israel flags, along with placards that showed support for Israel.

Before the rally got under way, a group of Five Towns residents representing the global organization Run for Their Lives ended their walk/run in Cedarhurst Park. The goal is to bring attention to the remaining hostages taken by Hamas on Oct. 7 as well as bringing home those who are considered dead.

“We are not political, we are here to advocate for the hostages and support their families,” Michelle Appel, the leader of the Five Towns group said.

They gathered with Nassau County Legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip who represents a portion of the North Shore. She is an Ethiopian Jew who immigrated to Israel when she was 12, and later served in the Israel Defense Forces.

“We have an obligation to continue to be the voice for Am Israel without any fear,” Pilip said. “After Oct. 7 there is nothing to lose. It’s clear whose the evil, whose good, whose with Israel, whose not with Israel.”    

Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, who is also running for re-election, explained his position on the Israel-Hamas war. His opponent is Laura Gillen, who D’Esposito defeated two years ago.

“There in fact should be a cease-fire when these terrorist organizations are eradicated from the planet and every hostage is returned home,” he said.      

Tova Plaut, a Lawrence Board of Education trustee and a Cedarhurst resident, spoke also representing the New York City Public Schools Alliance, whose slogan is “Educate Against Hate.”

“We cannot turn away,” she said. “We are here because we have a responsibility to confront this hatred wherever it shows itself.

Diane Weiss came from Far Rockaway with her grandchildren — Yehuda and Baila Mayefsky — to support Israel. Both children also live in the Queens community. Both Baila and her grandmother stood in front all through the event.    

“All the speeches were very impactful, especially Anthony D’Esposito’s and Rabbi (Yotav) Eliach,” Yehuda said. “I believe they strengthened everyone here. That everyone believes in the same thing.”

“It was very powerful,” Baila said, also noting Eliach and Austin. Eliach is the educational coordinator of Rambam Mesivta Maimonides High School in Lawrence. 

“In the mainstream media you hear so much negativity and every time on turn on my phone there’s another protest,” she said. “Sometimes you feel like where are the people who are supportive and to come here, especially with my grand children, to see so many people show up and the speakers speaking so positively you feel more support.”