Ateret Cohanim marked Yom Yerushalayim with its annual New York dinner held this past Tuesday, June 4, at Hewlett Harbor’s stunning The Seawane Club with tables of local Jewish supporters. Widely recognized as Yerushalayim’s shield, Ateret Cohanim continues its mission born 44 years ago to strengthen Jewish roots around the Torah citadels that dot the Old City in a pioneering effort to revitalize Jewish life by families establishing their homes there. Strolling through the modern-day Moslem and Christian Quarters, one finds budding Jewish life on its streets once again, namely in the communities of Abu Tor, Kfar HaShiloach/HaTeimanim, Maaleh HaZeitim, and Kidmat Zion. Ateret Cohanim, nearly single-handedly, has reinvigorated Torah on land barren of its loftiness for some 2,000 years.
This endeavor is worthy of celebration as Yidden proudly take part in reclaiming Yerushalayim, the Jewish people’s crown and glory. The evening honored standout individuals who continue to defend Yerushalayim’s honor no matter the cost: Guests of Honor Sid and Danielle Rosenberg, radio host at 77 WABC; Rabbinic Leadership Awardee Rabbi Elly & Yocheved Krimsky of the Lido Beach Synagogue; Aishes Chayil Honoree Monica Guttman; and Monumental Support of Chayalim awardee Shai Graucher, aka Mr. Chesed. IDF soldier Mordechai Shenvald, a popular master violinist, also attended and discussed his path from being injured to rehabilitated in a magnificent show of emunah.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman lauded the Rosenbergs as “proud Jews” in his open remarks, where special mentioned was given to Sid’s character trait of not backing down from what he sees as proper and correct, standing tall for all Americans and the plight of Israelis. Blakeman spoke of marching alongside the Rosenbergs and their children at the “Israel Day on Fifth” parade, exclaiming, “This is a family that is strong and courageous.” Blakeman, a past dinner honoree, recollected a 2014 visit to the Yemenite Village at the behest of Dr. Joe Frager, significant because his wife, Sigalit, an Operation Magic Carpet survivor, is of that lineage. Then a Council Member, Blakeman refused to cover an American flag emblazoned on his shirt and told the security personnel a simple statement that rings true today: “I want everybody here to know that Americans aren’t afraid to go to Jerusalem.”
“I’m just a Jewish kid from Brooklyn, that’s all I am,” proclaimed Rosenberg, the Sid and Friends in the Morning personality. “I saw what happened on October the Seventh, and I decided that with four hours a day on a 50,000-watt station in New York City, I was going to do what very few others do, and that is stand up with the Jewish people.” As cheers of agreement erupted from the audience, the Canarsie-born legend continued, “I am a very black-and-white guy. Not everything is so gray, but you have a lot of gray in the world today.” To those who believe that Israel’s fight against the Hamas terrorists are two even playfields, the 6’5, 57-year-old father of two reminded the crowd, “It was a Saturday morning, it was Shabbos, it was a holiday, and we were doing nothing but sleeping when these animals came into our neighborhoods and raped our daughters, threw our babies in ovens, killed our parents, and they continue to torture the hostages they took that day until this very moment. There are not two sides to this story, folks, there’s one – that’s Israel’s, and we must win.”
New York’s number one morning show host then confessed that his anger occasionally gets the best of him because “I never thought I’d see the day where the President of the United States does business with Iran on the same day he tells us how much he loves Israel.” Rosenberg cannot fathom how this is possible “after four years of my friend Donald Trump, who moved the embassy to Jerusalem, recognized the Golan Heights as a part of Israel, coordinated the Abraham Accords, and stopped moving pallets of cash at three in the morning to the Palestinians like Obama did, which ended up in Hamas’ hands.” Standing amidst a tremendous fanbase, many of whom joined solely to meet the superstar, Rosenberg pleaded, “If you love me right now, starting tomorrow, if you’re in this room and you’re a proud Jew, don’t ever vote Democrat again.”
“Let’s tell Sid Rosenberg hakaras ha’tov,” boomed Hon. Dov Hikind, the outspoken husband of Shani Hikind, Executive Vice President of American Friends of Ateret Cohanim, as the two embraced and the icon was labeled “a hero of the Jewish people.” The former lawmaker, who often praises Rosenberg on his own platforms, noted, “This is a guy that I love with all my heart and soul. G-d bless him, and G-d is proud of you!”
Twenty years ago, Daniel Luria, Executive Director and international spokesperson for Ateret Cohanim, began his avodas ha’kodesh of reclaiming Yerushalayim by placing religious Jewish families in dwellings acquired from non-Jewish homeowners. Following the Simchas Torah massacre, most fathers (and the security guards protecting these vulnerable homes) have been sent to the frontlines. “Mothers and children are left rather exposed in the heart of Jerusalem. But, thank G-d, extra police and Border Patrol police have been added to our communities,” he explained. “Baruch Hashem, the war has united us as a people. Notwithstanding outside pressures, we’ve grown and become more secure, thanks to your input and the involvement of many supporters around the world over the last year.” Luria broke down how donors have apportioned their funding. Some took on the financial burden of children, others aided with security measures, or family projects, and a number chose to invest their donations by inviting Jewish life to the Old City and its environments. Luria point-blankly stated, “There’s a lot more to securing Jerusalem staying in Jewish hands for generations than just singing and praying. We need your passion. We need your drive, involvement, and practical input to take on projects and invest whenever possible.”
Notable attendees included former Amb. David Friedman; IHF Executive Director Rabbi Duvid Katz; Dr. Paul Brody, President, Long Island Chapter ZOA; NYC Council Member James F. and Wendy Gennaro; and Assembly candidate Thomas P. Sullivan.
By Shabsie Saphirstein
