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In the days following the Hamas attack on southern Israel, Jewish communities across the diaspora mobilized to pray and donate funding and resources to the Israeli military, nonprofits, and affected communities. West Hempstead resident Michael Mandelstam joined these efforts, but he felt in this crucial moment, there was no substitute to being physically present in Israel to bear witness or offer assistance and encouragement. “Five or six of us were interested in going from day one, but we decided to wait until the last week of December when we were able to go with a strong group of 20 guys.”

  The uptick in anti-Semitic incidents that followed the Hamas attack on Israel was evident in West Hempstead this past Halloween, when a minivan was sprayed with anti-Semitic words, and last month when a Chabad menorah was vandalized. Damage done to posters of captives held by Hamas also worried residents that such behavior could indicate potential for violence against people.

Rabbi Chaim Isaac Flink, 76, the very humble tzadik who lived much of his life in Queens, died last Friday. On Motza’ei Shabbos, a crowd of mourners bid their farewells to the niftar in the borough where he learned, married, and built his Jewish home that hosted countless individuals from all walks of life.

At public spaces worldwide, Chabad shluchim set up straight-arm menorahs that fulfill the mitzvah of publicizing the miracle and informing passersby that there is a Jewish community nearby. In the aftermath of the war in Gaza that inspired anti-Semitic incidents throughout the Jewish diaspora, public displays of Chanukah will be more ambitious, seeking to boost confidence among Jews.

With less than two months before the special election to fill the seat covering Long Island’s North Shore and the northeast corner of Queens, Democratic candidate Tom Suozzi flew to Israel on a solidarity visit as he seeks to regain his former seat.

In contrast to the anti-Israel crowds who have been making daily appearances at some of New York’s most recognizable landmarks, most readers of this publication have jobs and families to support. We have little time available for rallies in the streets, and we know that doing so will not result in as much news coverage or social media attention. When public opinion polls show diminishing support for Israel and growing sympathy for a ceasefire that keeps Hamas in power, the rally in Washington appeared to have another goal in mind.