Congregation Bnai Yeshurun in Teaneck sponsored two special lectures concerning the current war in Israel and worldwide upsurge in antisemitism.

On Thursday evening, May 16, Retired Brigadier General Avigdor Kahalani, a recipient of Israel’s highest honor, the Israeli Medal of Honor, spoke at CBY. Kahalani discussed numerous points regarding the conflict in Gaza, in the North and with Iran. He also spoke about the rising upsurge in worldwide antisemitism.

Kahalani is a well known historical figure in Israeli history.

When the Yom Kippur War broke out in 1973, Kahalani was a 29-year-old lieutenant colonel and battalion commander of the Centurion equipped 77th Armored Battalion of the 7th Brigade on the Golan Heights. Kahalani’s battalion engaged in fierce defensive fighting against a Syrian force of more than 50,000 men and 1,200 tanks. This battle was a major turning point of the Yom Kippur War. If Kahalani and his tank battalion had not held off the Syrian forces, they would have driven across Israel to the Mediterranean and captured the country. After the war, the valley where it took place, which was littered with hundreds of destroyed and abandoned Syrian tanks, was renamed “Emek Ha-Bacha,” Valley of Tears.

Kahalani came to CBY as part of a delegation which included wounded Israeli soldiers who told their stories from the current war. The group is raising funds for “Together for Them,” an organization which deals with bringing wounded Israeli soldiers to schools and Jewish communities to tell their inspiring stories. He also introduced and signed copies of his book, “The Heights of Courage.”

On Sunday evening, May 19, Congressman Josh Gottheimer, of the 5th District in New Jersey, spoke at CBY. In a question-and-answer session led by Rabbi Elliot Schrier, Congressman Gottheimer updated a packed room with information regarding his bipartisan activities in support of Israel and the current wave of antisemitism in the United States.