israel

The following is a press release from the offices of Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz:

A large crowd of Brooklynites young and old, cheering and waving Israeli flags, united in Asser Levy Park in Brighton Beach [Wednesday] night for an emotional and music-filled concert/rally in support of Israel.

The event was co-sponsored by Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Brooklyn), Zionist Organization of America, RAJE, DaNu Radio, American Forum of Russian-Speaking Jewry, Kings Bay Y, Jewish Community Relations Council of NY, JCH of Bensonhurst, Shorefront JCC, Hadassah, Emunah, One Israel Fund, Jewish Press, JCC of Canarsie, Jerusalem Chai, Coalition for Israel, Simon Wiesenthal Center and COJO of Bensonhurst.

In addition to Assemblyman Cymbrowitz, the array of notable guest speakers included Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations; Michael Miller, CEO of JCRC-NY; Assemblyman Dov Hikind; IDF Brigadier General Ari Tesler; Andrew Gross, Political Advisor to the Deputy Consul General; Morton Klein, President of the Zionist Organization of America; Leonard Petlakh, Executive Director of the Kings Bay Y, Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein, Rubin Margules, President of the Zionist Organization of America Brooklyn Region; and Eugene Shkolnikov, Russian-American philanthropist and board member of the Kings Bay Y.

Speaker after speaker took the stage and described why the concert/rally was so important.

“As so many around the world gather to condemn Israel’s right to defend itself from terrorists, it is imperative that we all stand together to show our support for the people of Israel,” Assemblyman Cymbrowitz said. “Israel uses painstaking restraint not to harm citizens. We finally need to tell the world: Enough,” he said.

Rubin Margules, President of ZOA Brooklyn Region and chief organizer of the event, said, “We put this event together because it was important to show our support, to be counted and to stand together for the people of Israel.”

Morton Klein, President of ZOA, said, “What would America do if 80 percent of its citizens were forced to run into bomb shelters twice a day from rocket fire from Mexico or Canada? That’s the situation in Israel where over six million of the eight million Israelis are given 15 seconds to run into bomb shelters due to the 3000 missiles launched by Hamas. The world now condemning Israel for Arab civilian deaths is a diplomatic Kristallnacht.”

Malcolm Hoenlein of the Conference of Presidents said, “Hamas exists to kill. Israel sometimes has to kill to exist.”

Assemblyman Dov Hikind said, “”Thank G-d there are no sirens going off on 5th Avenue or 13th Avenue. Americans don’t know what it’s like to run for cover.”

A line-up of internationally known Israeli musicians performed free of charge. They had the crowd singing along to favorites like “Yerushalayim Shel Zahav (Jerusalem of Gold)” and swaying along to “Blowin’ in the Wind.” Performers included Galit Burg Michael, Benny Elbaz, Sandy Shmuely, Ron Eliran and Gershon Veroba.

Throughout the evening the crowd vocalized its support with frequent shouts of “Am Yisrael Chai (The People of Israel Live!).” At the end of the night, with the moon shining as bright as the crowd’s spirits, community and Jewish leaders danced the hora onstage and led everyone in “Hatikvah (The Hope),” Israel’s national anthem.

One familiar song performed by Ron Eliran, “Kol Ha’olam Kulo,” based on a quote by Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav, seemed to sum up the exuberant mood. The song’s message speaks of the importance of moving forward with confidence despite prevailing uncertainty: “All the world is a very narrow bridge. The most important thing is not to be afraid.”

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  • Alex

    The ironic part the majority of these supporters weren’t even born in Israel. And only some of them traveled there.


    • Verochka

      But majority of those supporters have family and friends in

      Israel.


      • A

        Doesn’t mean they have to automatically support Israel then. Should everyone support the country their relatives are in just out of principle?


    • Guy

      I’m pretty sure you’re not using the word ironic correctly.


    • sadeyes

      So what? Why does that make a difference?


      • Alex

        Sadeyes,

        it makes a difference because we live in a country called THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN, not Israel.

        if you’re so passionate about Israel and so protective of it, then why don’t go there and make a difference there, not waving Israeli flags 6,000 miles away in Brooklyn.

        Get a handful of guns and start shooting Hamas, or use your diplomatic skills.

        Now, I am not saying no one should be supportive of Israel, but these 1000+ people rallies are not necessary.

        WHY DON’T YOU INSTEAD GATHER 1000+ PEOPLE IN FRONT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SANITATION BUILDING AND LET THEM KNOW THAT SHEEPSHEAD BAY AND BRIGHTON BEACH AREAS HAVE TO BE CLEANED MORE OFTEN. AND WHILE AT IT, CLEAN UP THE SHEEPSHEAD BAY CANAL. IT’S SO FILTHY


        • sadeyes

          Wow. Touchy, aren’t you? All I did was ask a question! 🙂


          • Alex

            Because I love my country.


          • M. Smart

            no one stopping you from protesting DSNY,,or any other cause you believe


          • Alex

            M. Smart, please…


        • A-Z

          What would you do if you realized it is not just Israel that Hamas wants? What would happen if those using the “we’re in America” argument actually once read the charters of Hamas and other terrorist organization?

          I think it would quickly become obvious that the real goal of those that threaten the existence of Israel is the toppling of every government and ideological system that does not line up with their Radicalized version of Islam and Sharia law… you better believe that damn well includes THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA we are all proud to live in.

          That would mean even if a lazy passive sideline observer like yourself gathered the energy to get up from your throne of smugness wouldn’t be able to demonstrate at the Dept. of Sanitation… or demonstrate anything for that matter.

          In fact you wouldn’t even be able to leave comments about issues you clearly don’t begin to comprehend.

          To make it simple…

          Gathering for Israel is gathering for America, it is also gathering for the Muslims that don’t wish to be misrepresented by psychotic radicalized manipulators that have no regard for the life, whether that be their own people or others.

          Most of all, gathering for Israel when they face such pure evil is gathering for every citizen of the world that wishes to live in such a way that celebrates life and freedom, that’s what terrorism opposes and why we must stand unified to rid this threat to freedom.

          Now go pick up some trash while you still have the choice to live your own life. With people like you in the world I fear we don’t have much time left.


          • Alex

            Yes, A-Z.

            At least we have people like you in this world, just so smart and bright, the guardians of the earth.


          • Alex

            I think it’s time to take your medication, A-Z.


  • Ideals are dangerous

    None of these people know what they’re actually supporting.

    The Russian Jews were fooled twice. The first time by communism. The second time by zionism.


    • ShadowLock

      Haters Gonna Hate.


      • A

        Keep drinking that Kool-Aid.


    • Guy

      You can be pro Israel without being a Zionist.


      • A

        How and why was Israel created? It all started with a certain ideology.

        Those who identify as Jewish and are pro-Israel are at the very least zionistic.


        • Guy

          No because every Jew doesn’t think we should all move to Israel and live on collective farms. That’s what Zionism is. I have a national support for Israel. Which supports Israel the way it currently is


      • ES

        How can you be pro-Israel without being a Zionist since the very concept of being a Zionist means that one supports there being a Jewish homeland in the land known as Israel?


        • Guy

          Zionism doesn’t meant that one supports a Jewish homeland. Zionism is a idea of building a state of Jewish farmers on that land. It’s a messianic idea that came from the bible. I didn’t think that was the best idea after the holocaust but I fully support a Jewish state in Israel. Especially the current modern Israel.


    • http://www.mybrooklyn.com/ MyBrooklyn

      Define Russian Jews…..I am from former Soviet Union Republic of Azerbaijan


      • A

        Another name for what are commonly called ‘Ashkenazi Jews’ but from any of the republics of the former Soviet Union.


        • http://www.mybrooklyn.com/ MyBrooklyn

          You hate Israel so much that you sound like a fool….Jews from Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan are juhuro jews (gorskie) or buharian jews….many words we speak similar to farsi…I wont get any further discussion with anti-semi punk…Am Yisrael chai


          • A

            I should have been a little clearer. ‘Ashkenazi Jews’ from any of the republics of the former Soviet Union are ‘Russian Jews’

            I believe Gorskie and Buharian Jews are two different groups, correct me if I’m wrong.

            So I guess the Russian Jews as well as Gorskies, Buharians, etc. from the former Soviet Union were fooled twice then.


          • http://www.mybrooklyn.com/ MyBrooklyn

            I can still see hate in your soul towards one nations and home land of Jews around the globe…..meanwhile radical Islamist butchering people who are a different fate and even their own people are killed….Everywhere I look in NYC these damn morons marching against Israel and screaming genocide…what bunch of savages…..


          • A

            Homeland of Jews around the globe? According to who or what? A 4,000 year old book of mythology or a 120 year old ideology (Zionism) that made worse the problem it promised to solve? Which one do you believe in?


          • EteroSapiens

            You express hate against anyone that does not think like you. What do you believe? in the trash the media shows on TV or the internet? You have no idea what is really going on, but are quick to accuse or take sides. Why don’t you go join Hamas? Are you planning to make the world a better place with your hate towards everybody?


          • http://www.mybrooklyn.com/ MyBrooklyn

            @ A you need to see this you ugly soul….but feel free to demonize jews…Thank G-d Iraqi Jews left Iraq before all this took place


          • A

            MyBrooklyn you beautiful soul, what’s your point with this video?

            And what’s with the accusations? I never demonized anyone.


          • Guy

            How about being recognized by the UN and all democracies. Is that not enough?


          • A

            The U.N. and all democracies agree that Israel is “the homeland of the Jews”?

            I guess they bought into one or both of the above things mentioned? I for one don’t and am certainly glad there are others like me out there.


          • guy

            What exactly is your point, that Israel shouldn’t exist because Zionism was a bad idea. The UN and all democracies didn’t buy into anything, it was a response to the slaughtering of Jews in Europe.


          • A

            Then why Israel? Why that specific piece of land?

            If Jews needed a homeland, why must they settle there?


          • Guy

            At that time there really was no where for them to go. And again, the country is there, should they pack up and move on?


          • MyBrooklyn

            No point to argue with that punk….that land has history of Jewish presence and always will be…..he just hates an existence of a country called Israel and that Jews finally have their home land back….My question is why Muslim Arabs have Saudi Arabia, why England gave a away former “Palestine” mandate more to Jordan then to Israel. Why Turkey is occupying Cyprus. Why Russia wont return Japanese islands back after Russo-Japan war….why most people were able to establish their independence after WW2 and collapse of Soviet Union….

            That A guy is anti-Semitic punk


          • A

            “Jews finally have their home land back”

            But modern day so-called Jews are descended from converts. So what homeland are you talking about??

            The bible is a fairytale and Zionism is a reactionary ideology that only causes problems. I will be happy for you when you free yourself from both of those. Good luck!


          • http://www.mybrooklyn.com/ MyBrooklyn

            So you don’t think same arabs who are Muslim now are not converts….my ancestors and my generation are not converts from a long time after escaping prosecution in eretz Israel moving to Persia after persecution in Persia jews moved to Azerbaijan…,,that’s how we speak dialogue of farsi……you are just anti-Semitic punk like I said before


          • A

            What do Arabs have to do with this?

            It’s kinda annoying how modern day so-called Jews think their bloodlines have been Jewish since forever. You’re descended from converts. You’re not a Hebrew.


          • Guy

            It doesn’t matter if the Jews are converts or not. People from all different religions live free in Israel. Again what exactly are you arguing I’m not sure. You don’t want Israel to exist because of their “bloodlines”.


          • A

            I’m looking for the number to my local Zionism de-programming center right now. As soon as I find it, I’ll post it for you.


  • J.M.H.

    Its amazing how so many people believe in tales told by goat herders

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  • sammykid

    There was only about 500 people there.