The mood was somber at Eisenhower Park’s Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre last week, where hundreds gathered on Oct. 7 to commemorate the first anniversary of the attacks against Israel. As local and congressional leaders, alongside rabbinical figures from across Nassau County, stood united in reflection, the crowd listened to messages of resilience — an urgent call to combat rising antisemitism — and a collective resolve to move forward with strength and unity.
Prior to opening remarks, made by Congressmen Anthony D’Esposito, Tom Suozzi and Nick LaLota, a Color Guard was presented by members of the Nassau County Police Department and the Jewish War Veterans, while Shulem Lemmer, a well-known Hasidic recording artist, sang both the “Star Spangled Banner” and “Hatikvah,” the Israeli national anthem.
D’Esposito emphasized the need for the U.S. to fund Israel in its campaign against terrorism in the Middle East, as well as the need to combat antisemitism at home.
“We need leadership in the House of Representatives to begin to root out antisemitism and evil in every corner of this nation,” he said.
“Israel’s willingness to fight this is battle, is a battle that they’re fighting not just for them and their survival,” Suozzi said. “It’s for us as well, because the same people that want to kill the Jews, the same people that want to destroy Israel, also want to destroy the United States of America as well, and they’re fighting on our behalf.”
County Executive Bruce Blakeman recalled the moment he received word of the attacks in Israel last year, and said he immediately instructed Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder to mobilize the Nassau County Police Department, and send them to every synagogue and “make sure they’re safe and secure.”
Several speakers remarked on the fact that there are still known hostages in Gaza — including Americans, and Long Islanders, such as Omer Neutra, who’s from Plainview.
The event was coordinated through Nassau County’s work with the Jewish Community Relations Council, led by Mindy Perlmutter. She said 22 Jewish organizations — that make up the Long Island Jewish Coalition — meet regularly to share what they’re doing, and how they can support each other’s goals.
“This coalition, along with our county executive and his office, organized this evening’s program to recall, reflect and comfort each other as we remember those who were massacred — demand that our hostages be released — and emphasize that Israel has a right to exist and defend herself,” Perlmutter said.
Several Israel Defense Forces veterans spoke, including Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip, and Ira Kohler, who recently completed his military service in Israel. Kohler is a Schechter School graduate, and is friends with Neutra.
Even though it’s been a year since the attacks, Kohler said people — like his friend — are still living in a “dark day.”
“This day will only come to an end for him in one of two ways — he will either have the opportunity to run to his mother, or we will watch his mother bury him in the ground and say her final goodbyes,” he said. “And for that — we need to continue fighting, because we must see them home.”