On Sunday, June 16, more than 5,000 Long Islanders came out to celebrate Israelfest, a show of support for the homeland of the Jewish people in a difficult time since the attacks of October 7.
Sid Jacobson JC organized the event, which was held for the first time at the Tilles Center at Long Island University with the support of more than 40 community partners.
Special guests this year included U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres, Michael Rappaport, an actor and a passionate defender of Israel, and Ronen and Orna Neutra, the parents of Omer Neutra, a dual American and Israeli citizen taken captive by Hamas on October 7th.
Sid Jacobson Executive Director David Black awarded Torres – a vocal and ardent supporter of Israel, who has consistently maintained his support throughout this political career, with a plaque commending his “valor, courage, and fidelity to truth.”
Torres said he was “proud to be a happy warrior for the Jewish people and the Jewish State.”
He also said that bringing home the hostages from Gaza is the “greatest moral imperative of our time” and that – as Americans – we have an obligation to bring them home.
The Neutras – Israeli citizens and Plainview residents – spoke together about the last eight months and how difficult it has been for them. They wondered what their son, Omer, 22, has gone through while in captivity. Omer is an IDF soldier who was captured by Hamas last October.
“Israel’s resilience cannot be measured only by the strength of its military,” said Ronen Neutra, “rather the strength and resilience of its people… Leaders must put political agendas aside and focus on the lives of the hostages.”
Rappaport said he is “just a Jew from New York” who would urge all attendees to embrace their Judaism in their everyday lives in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Israel and the war.
Organizers estimate upwards of 5,000 people attended the day’s events, which included Israeli music by the Maccabeats and Shlomit Levi, family activities, Israeli products, and international Jewish cuisine.
Sid Jacobson JCC also celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Randie Waldbaum Malinsky Center for Israel.
