(Courtesy of Office of Consul General) New York City Mayor Eric Adams hosted this year’s annual Jewish Heritage Month reception at Gracie Mansion. The event celebrated the centuries of Jewish history, achievement and community building in New York City.

Joining the list of dignitaries and speakers was Consul General of Israel in New York Ambassador Asaf Zamir.

Ambassador Zamir is Israel’s chief liaison to the New York region, the largest Jewish community in the world outside of Israel. He spoke of the unique connection between Israel and New York City, but also discussed the recent four-fold spike in antisemitic incidents in the region and the obligation to respond strongly to it.

“Jewish Heritage Month should always be a uniquely Jewish event,” Ambassador Zamir said. “Because you can’t tell the story of American Jewish heritage without New York City taking a starring role. “This is a challenging time with antisemitic incidents quadrupling in this city. But we’ve been through worse, and we will win over this challenge together.”

Mayor Adams concluded by saying, “New York is the Tel Aviv of America.”