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Am Echad B’Lev Echad – ������ý��Ƶ’s 55th Anniversary Dinner

Am Echad B’Lev Echad – ������ý��Ƶ’s 55th Anniversary Dinner

Last Motzaei Shabbat, the ������ý��Ƶ community united for a profound gathering marking ������ý��Ƶ’s 55th Anniversary. Themed “Am Echad B’Lev Echad” (One Nation With One Heart), the evening celebrated the ������ý��Ƶ community’s enduring dedication to Israel.

As the culmination of ������ý��Ƶ’s Anniversary Campaign, the program placed Israel at the forefront, showcasing the many ways the ������ý��Ƶ community has been actively serving, safeguarding, aiding, and advocating for our brothers and sisters in Israel and Jews worldwide through acts of Service, Chesed, Tzedakah, Advocacy, and Education.

The event paid tribute to ������ý��Ƶ alumni and community members courageously defending Am Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael in Israel, on college campuses, and beyond. Through musical performances and presentations, the evening honored ������ý��Ƶ alumni reservists, advocates, the generous and selfless spirit of its community, and its faculty, all of whom model the ������ý��Ƶ mission and values it strives to instill in its students every day.

A solemn moment was dedicated to remembering fallen soldiers, among them former ������ý��Ƶ faculty member Yossi Hershkovitz z”l and the nephews of ������ý��Ƶ president Jack Bendheim, Sgt. First Class (res.) Ben Zussman z”l and Sgt. Major Yosef Malachi Guedalia z”l. Hallel, daughter of Yossi Hershkovitz z”l, killed in Gaza in November, accompanied the ������ý��Ƶ High School String Ensemble in its moving performance of a composition her father wrote while on the frontlines. Guests joined in reciting tehillim and tefilot for the chayalim and hostages, while being uplifted by stirring performances from the ������ý��Ƶ and High School choirs, as well as from the parent and faculty community.

Congressman Ritchie Torres addressed the audience, underscoring the ������ý��Ƶ community’s inspiring ties to Israel and its students’ readiness, knowledge, and empathy.

“What gives me hope is that places like ������ý��Ƶ are cultivating the next generation of leaders and defenders of one of the most important friendships humanity has ever seen, the U.S.-Israel relationship,” Torres remarked.

“������ý��Ƶ is preparing its students by instilling in them a readiness to fight for the rights of the Jewish people and Israel without fear of harassment, hate, intimidation, or violence. By supporting ������ý��Ƶ, everyone in this room has played a part in empowering these students, nurturing their voices, and ensuring they have the tools to carry the torch in defending Israel for generations to come.”

Speakers representing the community showcased its proactive support for Israel, spanning active, educational, political, and financial contributions, including the ������ý��Ƶ Supports Israel Fund, which has raised over $1 million in grants for Israel to date.

The gathering, attended by nearly 1,000 guests including parents, grandparents, alumni, community leaders, and dignitaries such as Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz, and City Council member Eric Dinowitz, affirmed the community’s unwavering support for Israel through presence and solidarity.

For those who missed it or want to relive the evening’s program, it can be viewed and photos can be viewed .