On Sunday, February 2, the UJA-Federation of New York’s Manhattan headquarters hosted the 2025 Congressional Breakfast – a flagship event organized by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY). The gathering brought together local representatives, elected officials, community leaders, and key figures from the Jewish community for a morning of structured dialogue and policy discussion, all centered on shared communal priorities.
The day opened with a warm welcome from Mark Treyger, CEO of JCRC-NY, who set the stage by outlining the event’s objectives and emphasizing the critical role of civic engagement in addressing the community’s challenges.
Shortly after, Ben Golub, President of JCRC-NY, took the podium to offer his greetings. His address highlighted the mission of JCRC-NY and the importance of building bridges between policymakers and community advocates. Josh Oboler, a Board member at JCRC-NY, introduced US Representative Ritchie Torres (15th District, NY). In his remarks, Representative Torres reaffirmed his commitment to addressing issues affecting both New Yorkers and the broader Jewish community. Following the introduction of Representative Torres, Ben Golub welcomed Eric S. Goldstein, CEO of the UJA-Federation of New York. Goldstein’s address focused on the challenges faced by the community and the ongoing support provided by key organizations. The program then featured an introduction by Cheryl Fishbein, Chair of the Board of JCRC-NY, of Tsach Saar, Deputy Consul General at the Consulate General of Israel. Saar’s presence underscored the international dimension of the discussions, particularly regarding US-Israel security cooperation. Cheryl Fishbein introduced Alana Zeitchik, Executive Director of the Narrow Bridge Foundation. Zeitchik’s remarks offered insight into community support initiatives, placing special emphasis on mental health and trauma relief efforts during these challenging times. Mark Treyger returned to acknowledge the contributions of the organizers and sponsors, paving the way for a series of Congressional presentations.
Introduced by Judy Baum, a Board member of JCRC-NY, US Representative Laura Gillen (4th District, NY) addressed the audience on legislative priorities that included bolstering security and supporting Jewish institutions. Following the introduction by Kim Hartman, another Board member, US Representative Hakeem Jeffries (8th District, NY and House Democratic Leader) delivered remarks that highlighted bipartisan efforts to combat rising anti-Semitism and to reinforce security measures. Jonathan Greenspun introduced US Representative Mike Lawler (17th District, NY). Lawler focused on legislative actions necessary for advancing measures such as the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act, aimed at protecting communities and educational institutions. After further acknowledgments by Mark Treyger, Brad Korn introduced US Representative Jerrold Nadler (12th District, NY). Nadler’s address centered on the historical challenges faced by the community and the ongoing need to preserve Holocaust education and address hate crimes…