Great Neck couple Dr. Paul and Drora Brody visited the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem on Monday, July 13, accompanied by a group of American and Israeli activists.
Dr. Brody, president of the Zionist Organization of America’s Long Island and Queens region, has known Huckabee since 2008. Over the years, he accompanied the former Arkansas governor on several missions to Israel, introducing him to local officials and communal leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
They remained close through Huckabee’s years as a presidential candidate, television host, and outspoken supporter of Israel.
The Senate confirmed Huckabee in April 2025, and he presented his credentials to Israeli President Isaac Herzog later that month. Dr. Brody attended that ceremony with family members, including two daughters living in Israel.
During their time at the embassy, Dr. Brody brought a copy of The Jewish Press featuring the credentials ceremony on its cover. He held the newspaper while standing with Drora beside the stone plaque marking the embassy’s May 14, 2018, dedication. The plaque bears the names of President Donald J. Trump, then-Vice President Michael R. Pence, and then-U.S. Ambassador to Israel David M. Friedman.
The Brodys were joined by Professor Lawrence Schiffman, a leading scholar of the Dead Sea Scrolls and Second Temple history at New York University. Retired U.S. Army Chaplain Rabbi Sheldon Goldsmith, a cousin of Dr. Brody, attended with his wife, Zelda. Richard Allen, president of ACBI Securities and Investments, and Jerusalem blogger Yehuda Lave also took part.
Shlomo Walfish, executive director of Zo Artzeinu–Israel Trees, spoke about his organization’s work with IDF soldiers coping with post-traumatic stress. Ahead of Tu b’Av, which begins on the night of July 28, the group is preparing a fruit-tree planting project involving the soldiers.
By Shabsie Saphirstein
