RALLY FOR ISRAEL, AUGUST 6, 2006, AT STATEN ISLAND JCC, IN SEAVIEW (CONTINUED)
Kevin Collins (above left), representative for Congressman Vito Fossella, and Bob Hellman, (above right) representative for State Senator John Marchi, respectively relaid Congressman's and the State Senator's suppor for Israel's fight against Hizbollah.
Amir Ofek, consul for public affairs at the Consulate General of Israel in New York said that "On Sept. 11, Israelis felt that they are New Yorkers. I think many here feel that they are Israelis and for that I would like to thank you. . . . It is not a coincidence that we are standing together. . . .This is the same war that we are all part of. . . . We are fighting the same people that thought it would be legitimate to send two planes into the World Trade Center."
Congressman Anthony Weiner emphasized the unity among politicians at the rally, regardless of partisanship, and reminded those in attendance that Israel withdrew previously from Lebanon and the Palestinian-controlled Gaza Strip, but did not gain peace. He said that "one of the ways you can say God Bless America is Am Yisrael Chai"
Above (clockwise) Assemblyman Vincent Ignizio, Assemblyman Michael Cusick, and Councilman Andrew Lanza spoke of their support of Israel's fight against Hizbollah.
David Melzer of the UJA Federation stated the ways the Federation is providing financial support to Israelis, and urged people to join a Solidarity Mission to Israel (Aug 20-25).
Rabbi Jack Polonski of Temple Israel stated that Israel and the United States are the only countries strongly committed to fighting the war against terrorism.
Rabbi Stern of The Arden Height Boulevard Jewish Center (picture to the right) read The Prayer for the Soldiers of the IDF:
May God Who blessed our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, bless the soldiers of the Israeli Defense Forces who stand guard over our land and the cities of God, from the border of Lebanon to the desert of Egypt, and from the Great Sea to the Aravah, on land, in the air, and at sea.
May the Almighty cause the enemies who rise up against us to be struck down before them. May the Holy One, blessed be God, preserve and save our fighters from every trouble and distress, from every plague and illness, and may God send blessing and success in their every mission.
May God place our enemies under our soldiers' sway and grant them salvation, and crown them with victory. May we see the verse fulfilled: "For it is the Lord your God Who goes with you, to battle your enemies for you, to save you." And we say, Amen.
Some of the approximately 500 participants at the rally
The quotations in the webpages came from articles: Sally Goldenberg, "Hundreds in a passionate rally for Israel" Staten Island Advance, August 07, 2006; and "Jews Rally On Staten Island In Support Of Israel" NY1 News, August 06, 2006