(Courtesy of JNF) Northern New Jersey community members united in solidarity with the people of Israel on Sunday, May 5, at Temple Sinai of Bergen County in Tenafly, for Jewish National Fund-USA’s annual brunch. Attendees commemorated the bitter and the sweet — remembering those who were murdered and taken hostage on Oct. 7 while learning about the organization’s bold and visionary plans to rebuild the communities that were ravaged by Hamas.
“The Resilience of Israel: The Truth Between the Lies” brunch featured Shahar Azani, a veteran Israeli diplomat who served as the consul for media affairs at the Consulate General of Israel in New York and is currently the senior vice president of Jewish Broadcasting Services. Azani discussed the Israel-Hamas war, Iran’s unprecedented attack, and the rise of antisemitism on college campuses and across the U.S.
“On Oct. 7, on that bloody Saturday morning, Israel, Israelis and the world were changed forever,” said Azani. “The ferocious, cruel attack against innocent men, women, children, babies, and whole families will never leave our hearts … This is an age of accountability where we look evil in the eye and call it by its name. We are obligated to stand up to darkness and defeat it in the name of the light.”
Local lay leaders highlighted how Jewish National Fund-USA has raised over $60 million in emergency aid since the “Black Shabbat” and has supported the evacuation and relocation of tens of thousands of residents in Israel’s south while providing thousands more with housing, food, clothing and other supplies.
Attendees also learned about Jewish National Fund-USA’s “Livnot B’Yachad–Build Together” plan (jnf.org/supportisrael), which provides the infrastructure and quality of life needed to allow Israel envelope residents to feel safe coming home.
“Our promise remains unbroken; we are with the people of Israel and will do all we can to pave the way for their care today and return home in the days ahead,” said Co-President of Jewish National Fund-USA’s Northern New Jersey and Rockland County Board of Directors Bob Oppenheimer. “We will walk with them every step of the way and commit to our original and eternal promise to rebuild.”
The program opened with a special performance by the Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County chorus led by Schechter Choir Director Carey White. She was also presented with a plaque in honor of her commitment to Jewish education and empowering student’s commitment to Zionism.
New Jersey residents can continue to support and stand up for the land and people of Israel by attending the Global Conference for Israel on Nov. 14-17 in Dallas. The conference promises to be filled with solidarity, inspiration and practical solutions to standing up against Jew hatred.
For more information, contact Rachel Kahn, director, Northern New Jersey and Rockland County at [email protected] or
(973) 593.0095, ext. 824.
