Rebecca Saidlower

Yesterday, we gathered alongside hundreds of elected officials, community leaders, members of the One Queens Against Hate Fellowship, @JCRCNY, and Jewish community members outside the Congregation Machane Chodosh in Queens.

Thank you, Council Member! Looking forward to our annual joint AAPI & Jewish Heritage Month celebration “Shalom Dragon” in partnership with CM @susanzhuangnyc , Marks JCH of Bensonhurst, @JCRCNY @UJAfedNY and many other wonderful community partners!

Amen to this.

Political violence is never acceptable, and the rise of such threats across our country is deeply concerning. I’m thankful to the NYPD and FBI for preventing this disturbing planned attack.

This kind of political violence is unacceptable.

BREAKING: Rabbi Yehuda Gilad, head of Yeshivat Ma’ale Gilboa, visited Khirbet Humsa in the West Bank following a settler pogrom in which a 29-year-old Palestinian farmer was sexually assaulted, his family was beaten, and hundreds of his sheep were stolen. Below is his full statement, translated from Hebrew: Letter from the Head of the Yeshiva, Rabbi Yehuda Gilad With God’s help, Rosh Chodesh Nisan — “a time of atonement for all their generations” Yesterday I went through a very difficult and deeply disturbing experience. I visited Khirbet Humsa (about a 30-minute drive from our yeshiva), where a pogrom carried out by hilltop youth took place about a week ago. I heard the details of what happened there from several sources, including Ruti — a woman I have known for years and trust completely. It turns out that in the early hours of the night, a group of rioters (around 30–40 people) arrived, equipped with sticks and many zip ties. They bound the men (and apparently also two foreign volunteers, though I am not certain of this), and then beat them all over their bodies with fists and clubs. We saw many remnants of the zip ties on the ground. The men required treatment at the hospital in Afula for injuries of varying severity. At the same time, the attackers stole the entire herd — about 300 head — belonging to the few families living there, under unimaginable conditions of poverty. At first, I heard that there had also been sexual violence, and I did not believe it… Yesterday we arrived at the site with Ruti, a friend of mine who is well known to them. When they saw us — Rabbi Avidan Friedman and myself — they visibly recoiled in terror and anxiously pointed to the kippot on our heads. Ruti tried to calm them, explaining that we were not among the attackers. Even so, at the beginning of the meeting, they were hesitant and afraid. I heard directly from a young man — a firsthand witness — what had happened there. From his face, the blue bruise in his eye, and his sorrowful expression, it was clear he was telling the truth. In that same conversation (with the help of a translator), he described in detail the prolonged abuse they endured while bound. Then, with deep shame, he told us something I had previously found impossible to believe. I find it difficult — my hands tremble as I write this about Jews — and yet I will write it, because I am convinced it indeed happened. Yes, these wicked individuals bound his genitals in an extremely painful way — not to mention the humiliation involved. These events recall the pogroms our ancestors endured in various diasporas. Have we become like the worst of the nations? I want to turn to the question: what should be done? But I feel that I am still at the stage of crying out. Alas — what has become of us!

Was great to collaborate with @JCRCNY and host this Jewish-Latine Seder! @UJAfedNY

Proud to have helped organize a group of interfaith clergy to join this effort with @UJAfedNY and @JCRCNY. Was an inspiring day in Albany!

Today, JCRC-NY convened our inaugural Annual Meeting of the New York Jewish Coalition, bringing together leaders from over 50 New York–based Jewish organizations to discuss the most pressing issues facing our community. We explored our collective strengths, areas for growth, and how to better leverage our networks—both Jewish and non-Jewish—to support the vitality of New York’s Jewish community and our broader society. Thank you to Yehuda Kurtzer of the @Hartman_Inst for a powerful learning session, to our panelists for thoughtful conversations on education, security, and civic engagement, and to @UJAfedNY for hosting us. We’re grateful to everyone who participated and helped make the day meaningful. #jewishunity #jewishpride #newyork

“Our work today is not just about passing laws. It’s about creating a culture where hate and bias are not tolerated.” Today, @CMYusefSalaam joined @SpeakerMenin and faith leaders to reaffirm that New York City must remain a place where all people are included, safe, and valued.

Today, we are standing with faith leaders — Jewish, Muslim, and Christian — to combat hate in all its forms. Our @NYCCouncil is protecting safe access to houses of worship and schools, while upholding all New Yorkers’ free speech and religious rights.

We’re horrified by tonight’s car ramming attack at Chabad World Headquarters in Brooklyn. We’re thankful that a suspect is in custody and no one was hurt. UJA and our Community Security Initiative remain in close touch with local community leaders and NYPD.

A car just drove into the side doors of 770 at Chabad Headquarters. Baruch Hashem, there are no injuries. Witnesses report the driver yelled for people to move as he drove in. It appears intentional. The synagogue has been evacuated as a precaution. Please stay away from the area while authorities ensure there are no additional threats. Driver was arrested.

With Ran Gvili, z"l, finally home, we’ve removed our hostage tags and yellow ribbons at last. Now, we're partnering with @bringhomenow to launch The Hostage Tag Project, collecting tags and pins from across our community to transform them into a public, commemorative art piece.

Anne Frank was targeted and murdered solely because she was Jewish. Leaders making false equivalencies to her experience for political purposes is never acceptable. Despite tensions in Minneapolis, exploiting the Holocaust is deeply offensive, especially as antisemitism surges.

After 843 days, the body of Ran Gvili, the last hostage in Gaza, is finally home. Ran was killed on October 7, 2023, and held ever since. With his return, there are no Israeli hostages in Gaza for the first time since 2014. This news, and the expected opening of the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza, is a welcome sign. With much work ahead, we must continue surging humanitarian aid and charting a path forward for security and stability for both Israelis and Palestinians. bbc.com/news/articles/…

Thank you @SpeakerMenin for your leadership and support.

One dream. One New York. One incredible #UJAmlkday. Today, more than 5,000 volunteers across NYC, Westchester, and Long Island rolled up their sleeves and turned their day off into a day on by packing meals and supplies, bettering their neighborhoods, and so much more.

Our annual #UJAmlkday of Service is off to an amazing start!⁣ ⁣ Thousands of volunteers are hard at work turning their day off into a day on across all five boroughs, Long Island, and Westchester. ⁣ We can't wait to share more throughout the day — follow along. ⬇️

Today, UJA approved a $100,000 grant to support the recovery and rebuilding of Temple Beth Israel in Jackson, Mississippi. #AmYisraelChai