Park East Synagogue in Manhattan hosted the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY)’s annual Congressional Breakfast on Monday, February 2, an event that also served as the official launch of the organization’s 50th anniversary year.
The gathering brought together rabbis, Jewish communal leaders, elected officials, and advocates in a setting that carried added significance: Park East Synagogue had been the site of an anti-Semitic protest several months earlier, and organizers chose the location deliberately to underscore resilience in the face of hate.
Howard Pollack, JCRC-NY’s Vice President of Government Affairs, opened the program with logistical remarks, directing overflow attendees to an upstairs space. David Moore, President of JCRC-NY, then welcomed the crowd on behalf of Board Chair Bennett Golub, CEO Hon. Mark Treyger, past-presidents Cheryl Fishbein and Janice Sorenstein, and the full JCRC leadership. He thanked major sponsors, including Craig Newmark Philanthropies, UJA-Federation of New York, Uber, and Kasirer, and emphasized the organization’s longstanding partnerships with government, faith communities, and civic institutions.
A short commemorative video montage highlighted JCRC’s five decades of work. Moore noted the strong turnout on a cold February morning, quipping that a well-attended bipartisan breakfast might be “the most bipartisan achievement of the day,” drawing light laughter from the audience.
Moore recognized the Bridges New York Fellows, a cohort of emerging leaders in government, policy, and advocacy, who received sustained applause.
Introducing CEO Hon. Mark Treyger, Moore referenced Moshe Rabbeinu’s “Hineni” (“Here I am”) as a fitting description of Treyger’s leadership.
Treyger began with a brief nod to the kosher dairy catering from Main Event Caterers Mauzone before turning to the purpose of the venue choice: “We do not retreat in the face of hate – we show up together.” He outlined the persistent rise in anti-Semitism in New York, noting that Jews remain the target of more than half of all reported hate crimes in the state. He cited recent incidents, including over 70 swastikas found in playgrounds, the assault of a rabbi in Forest Hills, and a car-ramming attack near 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights. Treyger stressed that these were not isolated events but ongoing challenges to New York’s core values.
He also referenced recent pressure on Bread’s Bakery to disavow its Israeli identity, stating that Jewish safety and civil rights “are not conditional.”
Treyger highlighted JCRC’s initiatives to counter anti-Semitism, including the launch of Hidden Voices: Jewish Americans, a new K-12 curriculum for New York City public schools, and student-to-student programs that bring Jewish perspectives directly into classrooms. He noted Governor Hochul’s recent signing of legislation strengthening Title VI training on college campuses.
Treyger invited attendees to view JCRC’s 50th anniversary exhibit, previewed an expanded display at UJA’s 74 Art Gallery, and announced a May 11 gala honoring Meryl Tisch and Warren “Jupiter” Weiss. He thanked City Council Speaker Julie Menin for advancing a forthcoming street co-naming to mark the milestone.
Hindy Poupko, Senior Vice President of Community Strategy at UJA-Federation of New York, shared a personal account of how anti-Semitism had become part of her own family’s experience following October 7, 2023. She noted rising anti-Semitic attitudes among younger Americans and reaffirmed UJA and JCRC’s commitment to coalition-building and support for New York’s broader social safety net.
Bennett Golub, Board Chair, described the 50th anniversary as both a celebration and a call to action. He reiterated the symbolic importance of the venue and encouraged participation in the Israel Day Parade on May 31, stating that “numbers matter.”
Craig Newmark spoke about JCRC’s Community Security Initiative (CSI), which monitors online threats in real time and enables proactive responses. Queens Regional Director Seth Goodstein was recognized for his behind-the-scenes work in enhancing local security.
A prerecorded message from Israeli Consul General Ofir Akunis condemned efforts to separate the Jewish state from the Jewish people, cited recent attacks in Crown Heights and Queens, and described anti-Zionism as inseparable from anti-Semitism. He rejected extreme rhetoric as “freedom of hate, not freedom of speech.” Deputy Consul General Tsach Saar represented Israel in person.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand sent a video greeting praising JCRC’s five decades of bridge-building and pledging continued support for Jewish safety.
Rabbi Arthur Schneier of Park East Synagogue, a Holocaust survivor, spoke last among the opening remarks. He recalled his childhood synagogue burning and thanked first responders who protected Park East after the recent protest. He called on city and state officials to safeguard every house of worship in New York. His closing line – “United, we prevail” – prompted a standing ovation.
The program then turned to congressional speakers.
Rep. Dan Goldman addressed the crowd, referencing his family’s experience in Israel on October 7, 2023, and stating that hate directed at Jews ultimately threatens broader society. He advocated for advancing Israel’s security and Palestinian civilian dignity together, citing the Abraham Accords as a viable model.
Rep. Tom Suozzi recounted a formative JCRC trip to Israel decades earlier and stressed the need for accountable Palestinian governance in any future peace process.
Rep. Mike Lawler defended Israel as “a beacon of freedom,” described anti-Zionism as rooted in Jew-hatred, and supported the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act to address campus extremism.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized that protecting Israel as a Jewish and democratic state is “the humane position” in a world of 196 nations. He pledged to advocate for increasing federal Nonprofit Security Grants to at least $500 million.
Rep. Adriano Espaillat warned that “public sentiment is everything” and highlighted the impact of bringing Holocaust survivors into Washington Heights classrooms.
Rep. Laura Gillen affirmed that combating anti-Semitism is “not a partisan cause – it is a New York value” and committed to expanding synagogue security funding.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer presented a formal proclamation honoring JCRC’s 50 years and praised Rabbi Michael Miller, JCRC’s CEO Emeritus, for making generations of New York Jews safer.
Rep. Jerry Nadler urged passage of the West Bank Violence Prevention Act while stressing that humanitarian aid to Gaza must continue alongside Israel’s security.
Rep. George Latimer congratulated JCRC and pledged support for synagogue security alongside housing and social services in Westchester.
Local and statewide officials in attendance included City Council Speaker Julie Menin, Comptroller Mark Levine (with Jewish liaison Pinny Hikind), Bronx DA Darcel Clark, Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez, Queens DA Melinda Katz, and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams (with Jewish liaison Simon Sebag).
Queens representation was strong, with attendees including Alan Weinberg (Queens Borough President’s Office), David Aronov, Zev Brenner, Keith Felsenberg, Hon. Barry Grodenchik, Sorolle Idels, Norman Kaish, Alan Sherman, Lyudmila Mierova, Izzy Peskowitz, Hon. Daniel Rosenthal, Arlene Ross, David Shakmoroff, Sam Verstandig, Stuart Verstandig, Rabbi Meyer Waxman, and Ephraim Zakry.
After the formal program, many attendees viewed the anniversary exhibit upstairs or spoke with elected officials. The morning combined policy discussion, communal solidarity, and recognition of JCRC’s half-century of advocacy for Jewish safety, intergroup relations, and civic engagement in New York.
By Shabsie Saphirstein