On January 29th, at 10:46am, Sesame Street’s lovable, furry, red monster logged into X and typed nine innocent words:  “Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing?” Not so great, as it turns out.  Over 200 million people viewed the post.  “The world is burning around us, Elmo,” was one response. “Elmo, we are tired,” said another.  “Suffering,” remarked one.

On some level, many of us in the Jewish community can identify with the sentiments directed at Elmo.  Since October 7th, our collective emotional well-being is not exactly at a high point, and neither is our sense of security. Feelings of abandonment are ubiquitous.

This past Sunday, JCRC-NY held our annual Congressional Breakfast, which was generously sponsored by Craig Newmark Philanthropies. We packed UJA’s conference center with legislators, foreign diplomats, non-profit executives, Jewish leaders, and our own incoming CEO Mark Treyger, as eight members of the New York Congressional Delegation addressed us. Each one of them broadcasted their support for Israel’s right to defend itself, and the rights of the Jewish people to protection from antisemitism in America and all over the word.  For the families of Israeli hostages who joined us, nearly every person present wore a dog tag bearing the words “Bring Them Home Now.” 

In this critical moment, we thank our elected representatives for being with us, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Representatives Grace Meng, Adriano Espaillat, Mike Lawler, Dan Goldman, Jerry Nadler, and Ritchie Torres.  You can view video of the entire event here.

Their message was very clear:  The Jewish people are not alone.  In one teary-eyed moment, Leader Schumer spoke directly to the hostage families and said, “…the normal human instinct is to turn inward, be angry, and turn to darkness, but…when you try to rectify a terrible injustice for yourselves and others, it’s lighting a candle.  You have kept that candle burning and we will keep it burning until we no longer have to light it because the hostages are free.”

That evening, Adi Stein, a young leader in JCRC-NY’s Blumberg Fellowship for Jewish Community Relations who attended the Congressional Breakfast for the first time, wrote to me saying, “Wow! What an impressive event! It was very moving and impactful to be in that room with some of the most important leaders in our country, hearing them not just advocate for Israel but advocate for Jews around the world. The passion and historical knowledge with which they spoke showed that we, as American Jews, really do have important allies running our government.” 

That same evening, we proved again that we are not alone.  At JFK airport, JCRC-NY set off to Israel on a solidarity mission with over a dozen leaders representing different faith communities across New York City.  Participants included JCRC-NY’s own Rabbi Bob Kaplan and Dani Kogan, as well as Pastor Rashidi Denson, Rev. Krystin Granberg, Pastor Wayne Moore, Rev. Dr. Nigel Pearce, Rev. Joel Gibson, Rev. Karen Pershing and Lucas Pershing, Rabbi Linda Shriner-Cahn, Dr. Alfred Correa, Rabbi Michelle Dardashti, and Pastor Phillip Falayi. 

One particular photo from the mission spoke to me.  It was from the site of the Nova Peace Festival, where Hamas gunned down and murdered hundreds of young Israelis dancing in the desert.  Amidst some debris and broken glass, one beautiful red anemone had grown tall.  Of course, the anemone is Israel’s national flower.

To me, this is a sign of resilience.  Even though conditions around us are causing us great anxiety, fear, and, exhaustion, the Jewish people will overcome. 

So, to my favorite resident of Sesame Street, I want to thank you for checking in on everybody.  We’re not ok right now, but the resilience of our people has been tested before, and we will never give up.  We will succeed in our fight against antisemitism and we will succeed in our fight for Israel.  With our friends at our side, we will persevere!  Am Yisrael Chai!

Shabbat Shalom, 

Noam Gilboord, Interim CEO