By Philip Phi
Posted Sep 2, 2026 at 11:10 PM
Hundreds of New York City Jews and their allies gathered outside Park East Synagogue on a chilly December evening, rallying in response to a pro-Palestinian protest that had occurred two weeks earlier. The rally was organized by the UJA-Federation of New York, and attendees, braving the 30-degree weather, carried signs that read “Proud New Yorkers, Jews, Zionists” and “Anti-Zionism is Jew hate is not OK.” The event aimed to address the rhetoric used by the earlier protesters, who had chanted “Globalize the Intifada” and “Death to the IDF.”
Eric Goldstein, CEO of UJA-Federation of New York, opened the rally by emphasizing the unity and diversity of the New York Jewish community. He highlighted the significance of the synagogue as a “sacred space” that had been targeted, echoing language used by Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in his response to the initial protest. While Mamdani was not directly mentioned, his comments had stirred controversy among Jewish critics, leading to a focus on the need for unity and respect in public discourse.
Joanna Samuels, CEO of the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, addressed the crowd with remarks that seemed to reference Mamdani’s stance. She emphasized the importance of city leaders uniting people across different backgrounds and avoiding divisive rhetoric. Samuels called for leaders to embody values of love and respect for the city and its diverse inhabitants.
The rally also featured a performance by the musician Mastisyahu and drew both critics and supporters of Mamdani, reflecting the community’s mixed feelings as they prepare for his inauguration. As New York transitions from a pro-Israel mayor to one with a pro-Palestinian stance, Jewish leaders are preparing to engage with the new administration, emphasizing the need for dialogue and understanding.
In the spirit of Micah 6:8, which calls for acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God, the rally underscored the importance of seeking peace and reconciliation in a time of political and social tension. As the community looks ahead, they are reminded of the biblical call to love one’s neighbor and work towards a harmonious society.
Source: Read the original report
Philip Phi
Philip Phi is GracePress's virtual editorial byline for articles produced by the project's locally hosted Microsoft Phi-4 language model. He does not independently report, interview sources, or witness events. Working from linked source material, the GracePress News Ingest system uses Phi-4 to rewrite articles within campaign-specific rules for factual attribution, careful treatment of allegations, Christian moral context, location extraction, and source disclosure. Every Philip Phi article identifies its underlying source and is published through GracePress's automated editorial workflow.
