YOUNG ISRAEL MOVEMENT APPLAUDS U.S. SENATOR'S STRONG STATEMENTS SUPPORTING AMERICAN-ISRAELI RELATIONSHIP
Group Also Weighs In On Appointment Of New White House Chief Of Staff And New York's New Iran Divestment Law
The National Council of Young Israel (NCYI) today praised United States Senator Daniel Inouye for his recent comments in which he acknowledged the grave threat that Iran poses to the United States and Israel and reinforced the unbreakable bond of the American-Israeli relationship.
During a trip to Israel this week, Senator Inouye, a Democrat from Hawaii, told an audience in Jerusalem that if Iran was to ever attack Israel, it would be as if it was attacking the United States. Senator Inouye, who has served in the Senate since 1963, is the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Inouye told the crowd that his connection to Israel originated in 1951, when he sold Israel Bonds in Hawaii.
"We in the U.S. are deeply concerned with the activities in Iran," said Inouye, according to a report published in The Jerusalem Post. "If the Iranians should ever develop a nuclear device or bomb, that could mean the end of the world as we know it in the Middle East. It would have an impact on all countries, not just Israel. As a result, our position is that if you attack Israel, you are attacking the United States."
While discussing the bond between Israel and the United States, Senator Inouye said that "if one looks at most of this world, especially the Middle East, one country stands out as a foundation of stability and as a pillar of democracy. And at a time like this, when you have revolution in Yemen, Bahrain, Syria, Egypt, Tunisia and Jordan, thank God we have Israel."
"We were gratified to hear Senator Inouye forcefully and unequivocally state that the U.S. will continue to stand with Israel," said NCYI President Eli Dworetsky. "With the threat of Iran's nuclear proliferation looming large and uprisings taking place in Arab countries throughout the Middle East, Israel undoubtedly needs the support of the United States at this juncture, which is why Senator Inouye's timely comments were so well received. He is a true friend of Israel and the Jewish people, and we greatly appreciate his longstanding and steadfast support."
"Senator Inouye has been one of Israel's best friends in the Senate because he believes it is in America's interest to stand by and with Israel," said NCYI 1st Vice President Farley Weiss. "His strong comments of support for Israel at a time of the dangerous threats from Iran are very much appreciated. Senator Inouye was also one of the leaders of the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and recognize a united Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and it was great to hear that these remarks were made in Israel's capital of Jerusalem. The National Council of Young Israel strongly lauds Senator Inouye for his forceful public comments in Israel on Iran that strengthens the people of Israel and sends a strong message to Iran that Israel will not be alone in preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons."
In light of the threat of a nuclear Iran, the National Council of Young Israel also commented how wonderful it is to have an Orthodox Jew with a strong affinity for the State of Israel and a keen understanding of the issues relating to Israel's safety and security ascend to the powerful position of White House Chief of Staff.
"At a time when we stand united against the tyranny of Iran, its anti-Semitism, and its abhorrence for the West, we are especially proud that in this country Jacob Lew, a member of the Orthodox Jewish community, can rise to the status of Chief of Staff to the President of the United States," said NCYI Associate Executive Director Rabbi Bini Maryles. "As the preeminent Orthodox synagogue organization in North America, the National Council of Young Israel is pleased to congratulate Mr. Lew and we look forward to engaging with him on matters that are critical to American Jewry, the United States, and the State of Israel."
"Jack Lew is a dedicated professional who has faithfully served in various positions in the United States government," said NCYI Executive Board Member Charles Miller. "His recent appointment as White House Chief of Staff is testament to his commitment to excellence and his dedication to continued public service. We extend our deepest appreciation to President Obama for this terrific appointment, and we offer our warmest wishes for success to Mr. Lew, a proud member of the Orthodox Jewish community, as he undertakes this new assignment."
The National Council of Young Israel also commended the New York State Assembly and Senate, which recently passed the Iran Divestment Act of 2012. This newly enacted law prohibits state and local governments in New York Stare from doing business with companies that invest in Iran's energy sector.
"By passing this new legislation, the New York State Legislature took a substantive step to ensure that New York will not make financial investments or engage in business activities that would serve to benefit and enrich Iran in any way," said NCYI President Eli Dworetsky. "The Senate and the Assembly sent a clear message that Iran's heated rhetoric and nuclear intentions will not be tolerated."
One of the leading advocates for passage of the Iran Divestment Act of 2012 was New York Assemblyman Rory Lancman, a Democrat from Hillcrest, Queens, who co-sponsored the legislation. Assemblyman Lancman recently met with leaders of the Young Israel Movement at an Israel advocacy event recently held in Flushing, New York, which was hosted by the National Council of Young Israel, the Young Israel of Forest Hills, and The David Project.
"We applaud Assemblyman Lancman and his legislative colleagues for their continued interest in addressing the issues that matter to New York's Jewish community and for their willingness to take a strong stance on the issue of Iran's frightening quest to become a nuclear power," said NCYI Associate Executive Director Rabbi Bini Maryles.
January 3rd, 2012
National Council of Young Israel President Eli Dworetsky and Associate Executive Director Rabbi Bini Maryles issued the following statement in reference to the recent events in Beit Shemesh, Israel:
We have all seen, read and heard about the violent attacks and reprehensible behavior by a small number of Jews in the Beit Shemesh area of Israel. Any violence, let alone Jew against Jew, is unacceptable and worthy of strong condemnation. The National Council of Young Israel, which includes 130 synagogues across the United States, as well as our Israel region of over 50 synagogues, condemns in the strongest terms such behavior and those who promote these kinds of actions. There is no room within the Jewish people for hooliganism and Chilul Hashem of any kind.
Condemnation, however, only goes so far. We have so many questions about the anger and rage that continues to divide us to the point where it can be hard to recognize us as one people. Is this really happening in our community? Does our desire for connection to divinity so overwhelm us so as to trump our need and responsibility for dignity toward one another? Yet, there are seemingly no resolutions or answers.
The parshiot of Vayigash and Vayechi proclaim the beauty and need for reconciliation. Yaakov Avinu proclaims ‘Baruch Shem...’ to his now united statement of Shema by his sons. In addition, as our calendar turns toward Asara B’Tevet we remember only too well that it was Sinaat Chinam, baseless hatred, which brought the calamity and destruction to Yerushalayim and the Batei Mikdash.
In times of tzara in our community, our sages have always implored us to look inward to find our best selves and have directed us to seek peace where and how we can find it. During this tzara we ask our communities and their leadership to dedicate time and effort, through programs, events, prayer and learning, towards introspection and reconciliation of family, community and klal yisrael. As a community dedicated to Torah values and Chesed, we also ask for greater tolerance, understanding and unity for all people.
December 29, 2011
On November 27, 2011, the National Council of Young Israel participated in the "Big Tent for Israel" conference in Manchester, UK. The conference, which was attended by more than 750 people, was organized by Rabbi Jonathan Guttentag, the spiritual leader of the Orthodox Whitefield Synagogue in North Manchester.
Rabbi Guttentag said that the aim of the conference was "to make the Big Tent a massive springboard to mobilize many more grassroots activists who are willing to take on the challenge of reversing the trend of delegitimization of Israel, and to ensure that Israel's image is honestly and positively projected to the many people who have been exposed to anti-Israel propaganda and media bias."
His inspiration was a report published last year by the Tel Aviv-based Reut Institute, titled "Building a Political Firewall against the Assault on Israel's Legitimacy." The report referred to London as the "Mecca of delegitimization."
Over 750 attendees participated in the groundbreaking "Big Tent for Israel" Israel advocacy conference recently held in Manchester, United Kingdom (www.thebigtentforisrael.org). From left to right - Rabbi Pesach Lerner, Executive Vice President of the National Council of Young Israel; Ambassador Daniel Taub, Israel's Ambassador to the UK; and Rabbi Jonathan Guttentag, spiritual leader of the Whitefield Hebrew Congregation in Manchester, UK, and the initiator of the Big Tent for Israel event.
PROGRAMS OF ISRAEL ADVOCACY FOR THE QUEENS-LONG ISLAND COMMUNITY
Two films will be screened in Queens and Long Island Young Israel synagogues in the coming weeks. These programs are offered at no charge to the participants and are open to all.
"In Search of Peace" will be shown by the National Council of Young Israel, the Young Israel of New Hyde Park, and North Hills Synagogue. The screening will take place on Motzai Shabbat, December 24, 2011, at 8:00 pm at the Young Israel of New Hyde Park, which is located at 264-15 77th Avenue in New Hyde Park, NY.
The film chronicles Israel's first two decades, offering new insights on the origins of the Middle East conflict. It is narrated by Michael Douglas, and features the voices of Edward Asner, Anne Bancroft, Richard Dreyfuss, Miriam Margolyes, and Michael York. Rebbetzin Judi Steinig, the Director of Programming for the National Council of Young Israel and an Israel Advocacy Educator, will introduce the film and lead a dialogue of discussion following the showing.
In addition, the National Council of Young Israel, the Young Israel of Forest Hills, and The David Project will present a screening of "The Forgotten Refugees." This event will take place on Motzai Shabbat, January 7, 2012, at 7:30 p.m. at the Young Israel of Forest Hills, which is located at 7100 Yellowstone Boulevard in Flushing, NY.
The film is about the mass exodus of up to one-million Jews from the Middle East and North Africa in the 20th Century. Following the screening, a discussion will be led by Rabbi Bini Maryles, Associate Executive Director and Senior Director of Branch Services for the National Council of Young Israel and an Israel Advocacy Educator.
December 13, 2011
YOUNG ISRAEL MOVEMENT ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO ITS EXECUTIVE BOARD
The National Council of Young Israel (NCYI) today announced a series of changes to its organizational structure after its current President and Chairman of the Board each informed the organization at a recent board meeting that they will be stepping aside at the end of this month to pursue other interests.
For the past 100 years, the National Council of Young Israel has ably served the broader Jewish community. With more than 25,000 member families, and over 200 branch synagogues, the NCYI is a central agency, which provides religious, educational, Zionistic, social, and communal programming for all its member synagogues and their affiliated families.
Pursuant to the NCYI Constitution, in the event of a vacancy in the office of the president, the 1st Vice President ascends to the position of president, and upon the vacancy of an executive board position, such as Chairman of the Board, that vacancy gets filled through an act of the NCYI Executive Board.
NCYI President Shlomo Z. Mostofsky, a New York-based attorney who has served as the NCYI president since 2000, announced that he will be stepping down from his post at the end of this month. After nearly a dozen years at the helm of the Young Israel Movement, Mostofsky, who is a fourth generation "Young Israelite," chose to step down from the board in order to spend more time with his family and to place a renewed focus on his law practice and other professional pursuits.
"After nearly twelve years as president of an international organization that works every single day to improve the lives of Jews throughout the United States and Israel, I have decided that it is time for me to spend more time with my family and to once again devote myself to my law practice and professional career," said Mostofsky. "It has been a distinct privilege and a true honor to serve as the president of an organization that helped shape Torah-true Judaism in the United States and played an integral role in the growth of American Jewry over the past century. I am proud of all that we have accomplished on behalf of our branch synagogues and their members, and I am confident that the National Council of Young Israel will continue providing outstanding programmatic support and services to the greater Jewish community in the months and years ahead."
Assuming the presidency of the National Council of Young Israel will be Eli Dworetsky, its current 1st Vice President. Dworetsky, a New York-based CPA who holds an advanced degree in accounting and taxation, like Mostofsky, his family has multi-generational involvement with the Young Israel Movement. In addition to serving as an Executive Board Member of the NCYI and Dinner Chairman for a number of years, Dworetsky has served as the President of the Young Israel of North Woodmere, New York, and as an Executive Board Member of the Young Israel of Staten Island, New York. Dworetsky, an ardent supporter of the State of Israel, has led many missions to Israel on behalf of the National Council of Young Israel, where he has met with Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Chief Rabbis of the Jewish State.
"I am very much looking forward to doing all that I can to help build on the successes of the National Council of Young Israel of the past one-hundred years and working to further expand and enhance the Young Israel Movement as it embarks on its second century," said Dworetsky. "By continuing to focus on our branch synagogues and remaining receptive to their needs and concerns, we will continue strengthening our relationships with our members across the United States and Israel. The National Council of Young Israel is going to work diligently to keep embracing Jewish communal needs and focusing on the issues that affect the greater Jewish community."
NCYI Chairman of the Board Rabbi Jonah Gewirtz also announced that he will be stepping down from his post. Rabbi Gewirtz, who is the Senior Advisor of the Star-K Kosher Certification Agency in Baltimore, Maryland, is a well-respected pulpit rabbi, having served congregations in Bridgeport and Waterbury, Connecticut; New Orleans, Louisiana; and, at present, the Young Israel of White Oak in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Stepping into the role of NCYI Chairman of the Board will be Sheldon Schreiner of Plainview, New York. Schreiner is a past President of the former Young Israel of San Jose, California, and a three-term past President of the Young Israel of Plainview, New York. He was a member of the NCYI Board of Directors before assuming his current position of Financial Secretary. Schreiner is a retired engineering manager from KeySpan with a Master's Degree in Nuclear Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Certificate in Philosophy in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Washington, Seattle.
The National Council of Young Israel also announced that NCYI Executive Vice President Rabbi Pesach Lerner will be taking a "six-month sabbatical for special projects." Rabbi Lerner, who has served in his current role for the past twenty years, is primarily responsible for the rebirth and rejuvenation of the National Council of Young Israel, and for taking the Young Israel Movement beyond the synagogue and bringing it to the broader Jewish community. Rabbi Lerner has also been at the forefront of numerous key Jewish issues and causes over the years, including the ongoing effort to free Jonathan Pollard, and ensuring the safety and security of the land of Israel and its citizenry. In addition to his rabbinic ordination and rabbinic degrees, Lerner has advanced certificates and degrees in not-for-profit management, a master's degree in education, and a bachelor's degree in accounting.
"After much deliberation and consultation with the National Council of Young Israel's executive leadership, and with approval from the board of directors, I have decided to take a 'six-month sabbatical for special projects' from the organization so that I can fully focus my efforts and energy on a number of critical and pressing issues that face the Jewish community and the State of Israel," said Rabbi Lerner. "It is not my intention to break free from the organization that I have dedicated my life to for the past twenty years; rather, my goal is to spend the next six months working with the people and communal leaders with whom I have established close working relationships over the past two decades solely for the betterment of the Jewish community and the State of Israel."
To ensure the continuity, the organization has elevated Rabbi Bini Maryles, Senior Director of Branch Services, to the additional position of Associate Executive Director to assume the primary responsibility of maintaining the day-to-day operations of the organization over the next six months.
"During his time at Young Israel, Rabbi Maryles has demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring that there are vibrant synagogues in communities all across the United States, and he has worked diligently together with the NCYI staff, its branch synagogues, and their leadership in an ongoing effort to achieve that goal," said Mostofsky.
Rabbi Maryles, a resident of North Woodmere, New York and a lifelong "Young Israelite," received his rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary and has a bachelor's degree in accounting and a master's degree in secondary education.
Previously, Rabbi Maryles had the distinction of serving as the Rabbi of the Young Israel of North Woodmere, New York and as the Director of Synagogue Services of the Orthodox Union. Rabbi Maryles also served as a member of the Judaic Studies faculty at Ramaz Middle School.
Mr. Dworetsky pledged that the National Council of Young would continue to service its branch synagogues and Klal Yisrael while remaining devoted to its Torah-true values.
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The National Council of Young Israel (NCYI) today praised Republican Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich for his pledge to move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem in the event that he becomes President of the United States. If elected President, Gingrich committed that he would issue an executive order on his first day in office directing that the U.S. embassy in Israel be relocated from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Gingrich has stated his commitment to move the embassy to Jerusalem on a number of occasions, most recently during an appearance last week on "Hannity," a nationally-syndicated television show on Fox News Channel that is hosted by renowned commentator Sean Hannity. In a speech to the Republican Jewish Coalition this past June, Gingrich forcefully declared that moving the embassy to Jerusalem is long overdue.
"The United States should move the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem," Gingrich said to the Republican Jewish Coalition in June. "Israel has every right as a sovereign free nation to choose its own capital and we should respect that choice. As President, on my first day in office, I would issue an executive order directing the U.S. embassy in Israel to be moved to Jerusalem as provided for in the legislation I introduced in Congress in 1995."
"The National Council of Young Israel wholeheartedly supports Mr. Gingrich's repeated calls for the American Embassy in Israel to be moved to Jerusalem," said NCYI President Shlomo Z. Mostofsky. "By taking a strong and unequivocal position on the subject and ensuring that this critical issue remains at the forefront, Mr. Gingrich offers a stark reminder about the importance of Jerusalem and the critical need to take definitive steps to give Jerusalem the legitimacy it deserves as the sovereign capital of the State of Israel."
"The United States' repeated failure to relocate its embassy in Israel sends a disturbing message to the world about its stance on the future of Jerusalem," continued Mostofsky. "As the international community continues to find ways to skirt the issue of Jerusalem's future, Mr. Gingrich's willingness to tackle this issue head-on by committing to move the embassy to its rightful place in Jerusalem is admirable and demonstrates his keen understanding of the historical significance of Jerusalem as the eternal capital of Israel."
Gingrich, a former Georgia congressman who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives, was the prime sponsor of the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995, which called for Jerusalem to be recognized as the capital of the State of Israel, and which mandated that the U.S. embassy in Israel should be constructed in Jerusalem.
Although the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Law required that the embassy be moved to Jerusalem, there was a presidential waiver included in the legislation, which enabled U.S. Presidents to avoid having to move the embassy to the Israeli capital based on national security reasons. That waiver has been used by United States Presidents for the past 16 years to prevent the American embassy from being relocated to Jerusalem.
This past March, even before he declared his candidacy for president, Newt Gingrich made a speech to the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition, in which he called on the next president to issue an executive order on the very first day in office which requires the U.S. State Department to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital city, and to relocate the American embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
