Awards, Tears & A Ton of Unity At Mayor Adams Jewish Heritage Event

By FrumNews.com – Photo Credit: Benny Polatseck/Mayoral Photography Office

NYC—Hundreds of Jewish leaders representing the Jewish communities of New York City joined an Israeli delegation of mayors for the annual Jewish Heritage Event hosted by Mayor Eric Adams at Gracie Mansion in Manhattan, which celebrated the Jewish community of New York City.

The mayor honored R’ Aaron Yitzchok Cohen founder of the Brooklyn Chaveirim Chesed organization, October 7th hostage survivor Dr. Shoshan Haran, Jewish Entrepreneur Scooter Braun, creator of the Nova exhibit, Jewish influencer Montana Tucker and Joel (Yoily) Eisdorfer of the mayor’s office. Guests enjoyed performances by Jewish singer Nissim Black.

Newly appointed Israeli Consul General to New York Ofir Akunis, welcomed the crowd and praised the mayor, “As some of you may know, I arrived in New York on May 1st. Guess who my first meeting was with? Of course, Mayor Adams. Mayor Adams is a brave leader. I understand that what the world needs now is brave leaders.”

“He’s a brave leader, not just because he is a great supporter of Israel, but because he recognizes and stands against the axis of evil on behalf of the whole free world. As I told Mayor Adams, today, the world needs brave leaders. This is more important than ever.”

A New Chapter

Yoily Eisdorfer, the mayor’s outgoing senior advisor, addressed the crowd, “Adams has been a friend in our community, is a friend to our community, and always will be a friend of the Jewish community. Having been by Mayor Adams’ side for many years and during some of the most trying times in Jewish history, I can personally attest to his moral clarity and his conviction to say what he believes.”

Yoily then addressed his new chapter, “As I embark on a new chapter in my professional journey, I carry with me the lessons learned and the many memories shared during my time with Mayor Adams at City Hall. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have served alongside such dedicated individuals and to have contributed to the betterment of our city, the greatest city in the world.”

Mayor Adams then addressed the crowd, starting with the recent college protests, “Like Israel, where young people join the military service to really embrace patriotism, we have moved so far away from our patriotism and what really rooted us in the success in the first place. When you think about the fact that only 18 percent of young people between the age of 18 and 34 love America, only 18 percent.”

“Then when you add that lack of percentage with the fact that right here on our college campuses, our children are radicalized, not only to hate Jewish people, but to hate the country that they’re educated in the first place. Something is wrong with that. The real tragedy of this is that how many good people are remaining silent because they’re afraid of being canceled? Well I say cancel me any day, I’m not going to sit back and allow this to happen to the country I love.”

Taking a stand

The Mayor then honored Jewish Entrepreneur Scooter Braun, creator of the “Nova” exhibit in NY, who helped the survivors of the Nova Music Festival attack and continues to advocate for the hostages release, was honored by the mayor for his efforts.

Lisa Zornberg, Chief Counsel to the Mayor and City Hall, introduced Dr. Shoshan Haran, the founder of Fair Planet, who was on Kibbutz Be’eri. She was kidnapped along with her daughter and granddaughters and was held in Gaza and was one of the hostages released after 50 days in captivity. Her son-in-law remains captive in Gaza.

Shoshan recounted the attacks on Simchas Torah, “When we celebrate our historical freedom, we went to sleep with all our guests in my home. In the morning of October 7th, we were attacked by Hamas terrorists who occupied my kibbutz—they broke into our home and tried to break into the safe room through the door. Steel-penetrating bullets flew above my head. They couldn’t break through, and then they went out and brought a bulldozer and cracked our safe room window.”

“We had three seconds to decide if to surrender or die. We decided to surrender. My husband and Tal, my son-in-law, opened the window, and we were taken [as] hostages by Hamas…I used the wisdom of the people who survived the Holocaust to survive these 50 horrible days. Now that I am released, my mission is to help release Tal Shoham, my son-in-law, who is still there, 237 cruel days with all the other hostages. This is my mission. I’m traveling all over the world. I spoke in the U.N. Security Council.”

Recognizing a giant

R’ Aaron Yitzchok Cohen of the Chesed organization Brooklyn Chaveirim, was honored by the mayor. “I remember, as borough president, always coming out and supporting those who are in need. Really personifies giving back Mitzvah in a very real way.” The mayor said, “Whenever someone is in need, this organization can be called. I appreciated them as borough president. Now as the mayor, your citywide appeal, thank you for what you do. Continue to do your great work.”

R’ Cohen then thanked the mayor and recalled a decade-old conversation, “Around ten years ago, we had the same exact thing when the mayor was still borough president of City Hall. It means a lot to us. It means a lot to the community. It means a lot to the whole nation. Thank you very much, mayor. You’ve always been with us. You always give us the support. Thank you very much. G-d bless the mayor. G-d bless New York. G-d bless [the] United States of America.

A Surprise proclamation

Towards the end of the event, Yoily Eisdorfer was presented with a surprise proclamation as he transitioned from the Mayor’s Office.

“It’s a rarity that you find someone that no one has anything negative to say about. That is what Joel Eisdorfer is. He’s a real Mensch. His level of comfortability in any community. He has shown what it means to be a great New Yorker, to be a great American, and to be a great member of the Jewish community,” The Mayor said.