Addresses Anti-Semitism, Israel, Mail Issues
On Wednesday evening, August 16, Congresswoman Grace Meng spoke in a virtual program for the Rabbi Fabian Schonfeld Educational Center. Our community is fortunate to have this educational center that hosts informative programs like this.
It is clear that Grace Meng is an advocate for our community, and she shared some of her work that she does in Washington, DC, on our behalf.
She shared that she procured $300,000 for security funding and active shooter training for Jewish institutions in Queens. She said that she depends on our feedback.
Grace also shared that a few weeks ago, she attended a Joint Meeting of Congress where Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives. He received bi-partisan support. She said she was honored to be on the escort committee. The Congresswoman added that both parties have been working together in so many ways in Congress. “Every year, we work together to make sure our legislation is bipartisan.” She noted that the media doesn’t show this. She is one of eight co-chairs of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism.
Grace confided that, as an Asian American, she knows what it’s like to experience hate crimes. Sadly, her community has gone through hate and discrimination these past few years. “I am so proud to say we felt so much comfort, friendship, and guidance from the Jewish community in Queens, in New York, and throughout the country.”
She helped pass bipartisan legislation to give more tools to law enforcement to take bias and hate crimes more seriously and to help local organizations to make it easier to report incidents.
Congresswoman Meng said she is proud to support Israel and her right to defend herself. She acknowledged that Israel is America’s one ally in the Middle East. Donating to Israel is helping democracy, and helps to keep America and the world safe. “Israel is key to our defense.”
Following this speech, Congresswoman Meng answered questions that were emailed previously for this program.
Someone asked her opinion about the Supreme Court decision to disallow race as a consideration for college applications. She shared that the city is taking away the gifted and talented programs in Black and Brown schools, and this hurts these communities. It is fairer to look at things holistically, she said.
Someone else asked what is being done to address anti-Semitism especially on college campuses, and particularly on CUNY campuses in Queens. She shared that they invited the school chancellor to talk to the Jewish community members and leaders to see how painful it is for Jewish students to experience anti-Semitism. She asked the chancellor for more support. She shared that there have been incidents at Queens College, such as swastikas painted and someone standing at the entrance yelling anti-Semitic things and scaring Jewish students away.
She noted that it’s an issue at a lot of colleges. She shared that there is a new initiative for the AJC (American Jewish Committee) to bring college presidents to work on strategies to help students feel more comfortable and not discriminated against. She is working with CUNY leadership to make sure they are taking steps to prevent anti-Semitism. She noted that “In Queens we are lucky to have a vibrant vocal Jewish population.”
She is also working on a bill for Holocaust education in the schools. A survey of younger students revealed shocking results. Over 60% of younger students surveyed didn’t know six million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust, and, incredibly, 11% thought that Jews caused it. She said that we must make sure to educate people around us and in earlier stages of education.
Next, someone asked about what is being done to expedite mail service. She shared that important information is being stolen from mailboxes. In 2017 and 2018, there was a wave of problems with the blue mailboxes, as thieves were fishing into them. Her administration retrofitted all the mailboxes so that they have thin slots with metal teeth. The problem is that now thieves are going to the green boxes. These are relay boxes in New York that are used since our mail is delivered by postal workers on foot. Organized crime syndicates are stealing information from these boxes to take people’s identity. She shared that her office is working with local police on a bill to retrofit the green boxes.
She concluded that not everyone knows enough about Israel and her contributions to the world. Israel is the first country to respond to any disaster in the world. They are the first on the scene. Israel has contributed so much to technology like WAZE for example.
Rabbi Stuart Verstandig, president of the congregation, thanked Congresswoman Meng and said we are grateful for all she does for homeland security and we look forward to her continued support. He said we should write letters to Congress supporting increased funding for Jewish institutions this year.
Rabbi Daniel Rosenfelt, Rav of the Young Israel, Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld, Rabbi Emeritus of the shul and President of the Coalition for Jewish Values, and Rabbi Moshe Rosenberg, Rav of Congregation Etz Chaim, all attended the speech.
The following is a brief biography of Congresswoman Grace Meng.
Congresswoman Grace Meng is serving her sixth term in the United States House of Representatives. She represents the Sixth Congressional District, which is located in Queens and includes parts of West, Central, and Northeast Queens.
Grace is the first and only Asian American Member of Congress from New York State, and the first female Congressmember from Queens since former Vice-Presidential nominee Geraldine Ferraro.
In Congress, Grace Meng is New York’s senior member and Vice Ranking Member on the powerful House Appropriations Committee. She sits on both the State and Foreign Operations subcommittee and the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies subcommittee. The House Appropriations Committee is responsible for funding the federal government’s programs and activities.
Grace serves as the First Vice-Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, a Co-Chair of the House Bipartisan Taskforce for Combating Anti-Semitism, and as a Vice-Chair of the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus.
She passed legislation on supporting religious freedom, making Queens historic sites part of the National Park Service, striking “Oriental” from federal law, protecting public housing residents from insufficient heat, championing improvements to broadband and Internet access for students across the country to help close the homework gap, and establishing the first step in creating a national museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture. She also signed into law measures to assist veterans and members of the military, and provisions to improve consumer protections and safeguards for children.
Additionally, in order to combat the rise in hate and violence that increased during the coronavirus pandemic, Grace helped pass the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law.
By Susie Garber
