Religion
Gillibrand Calls for Humanitarian Aid to Address Emergency Needs in Gaza
Democratic U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the U.S. senate armed services committee and of the U.S. senate committee on intelligence, is calling on the Biden administration to contribute to the United Nations’ emergency appeal of $294 million to address the immediate humanitarian needs in the West Bank and Gaza in Palestine, in the wake of an escalation of violence in the region following the Hamas attacks on Israel on Saturday, Oct. 7. Gillibrand is joined by 33 of her colleagues in the push, which is led by U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut.
Rivera & Colleagues Introduce Bill to Fund Safe Evacuation of New Yorkers from Israel & Palestine
State Sen. Gustavo Rivera (S.D. 33), Brooklyn-based State Sen. Julia Salazar (S.D. 18), and Brooklyn-based Assembly Member Emily Gallagher (A.D. 50) introduced Bill S7716 on Wednesday, Oct. 18, to allow New York State to financially reimburse New Yorkers who are trying to evacuate from Israel and the Palestinian territories during the ongoing crisis in the Middle East since tensions escalated on Saturday, Oct. 7, following an attack by Hamas on southern Israel, which prompted a bombing of the Gaza Strip by the Israel Defense Authority.
Pelham Parkway: Bronx Vigil Held for Israeli Victims of Hamas Attacks
Nearly 100 local residents gathered with local elected officials and clergy members at a “Prayer for Israel” vigil for an evening of unity and solidarity held at the Bronx Jewish Center in Pelham Parkway on Thursday, Oct. 12, following news that more than 1,200 soldiers and civilians had been killed, raped or captured in southern Israel, close to the Gaza Strip, during attacks by Hamas militia on Saturday, Oct. 7.
Fieldston: Bronx Vigil Held after Hamas Attacks
Hundreds of Bronx residents joined various elected officials on Sunday, Oct. 8, for a vigil for Israel at Bell Tower Monument on West 239th Street in Fieldston, organized by Bronx Jewish clergy members, to mourn and pray for the thousands killed [including babies who were beheaded], raped, or captured on Saturday, Oct. 7, in a surprise terrorist attack in southern Israel near the Gaza strip by the Palestinian Hamas military group.
UPDATE Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club “Stands with Israel” following Hamas Attacks
The leadership of the Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club, along with Democratic State Committee Member Michael Heller, issued a statement in the wake of the Hamas attacks on Israel on Saturday, Oct. 7, in which they said they stand with Israel and unequivocally condemn the terrorist attacks on Israel and her people.
UPDATE Dinowitz, Hochul, Others Denounce Rally in Support of Palestinians following Terrorist Attack on Israel
Jewish Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81), who represents many of the Jewish communities based in the northwest Bronx, and New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul have denounced a planned rally on Sunday, Oct. 8, in Times Square organized by the New York chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. The rally comes a day after the Associated Press and various other media outlets reported that the Hamas militant group said it was holding “dozens” of Israeli soldiers captive in the Gaza Strip.
Kingsbridge Historical Society Appeals for Help Funding Upkeep of 135-Year-Old EdgeHill Church
Norwood: Eid Al-Adha Celebrated in the Williamsbridge Oval
The Islamic holiday of Eid Al-Adha [Idul-Adha] was celebrated by hundreds of Muslims in the Williamsbridge Oval park on Wednesday, June 28. The religious holiday, which translates to “The Feast of the Sacrifice” continued through June 30, and is the second and the largest of the two main holidays celebrated in Islam (the other being Eid al-Fitr). The former honors the willingness of Abraham (Ibrahim) to sacrifice one of his sons, either Ishmael (Ismail) or Isaac (Ishaq), as an act of obedience to God’s command. Norwood News spoke briefly to one male member of the congregation who said