Jewish Community Shows Support at Park East Synagogue Rally
On the night of Dec. 4, more than a thousand people gathered outside Park East Synagogue on the Upper East Side for a solidarity rally, organized by UJA-Federation of New York, the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). The event was held in response to an anti-Israel protest that had targeted the synagogue the previous week. Despite freezing temperatures, people came from across the city to show their support for Israel, Nefesh B’Nefesh and the Park East community.
In late November, anti-Israel protesters demonstrated at Park East Synagogue during a Nefesh B’Nefesh aliyah information event. The protest involved violent chants and took place directly outside the shul’s entrance.
The Jewish community’s concern intensified following Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s response to the incident. While he acknowledged the protest went too far, Mamdani also criticized Park East Synagogue itself, stating that “sacred spaces should not be used to promote activities in violation of international law.” This was in reference to settlements in the West Bank.
For many Jewish New Yorkers, his comment felt like a justification for the violent protests. With Mamdani set to take office on Jan. 1, the community has expressed growing unease.
According to the NYPD’s official count, 1,102 people attended the rally, which took place on a Thursday night. The crowd included families with young children, college students, Modern Orthodox Jews, secular Jews and people who had traveled significant distances.
“The rally was a really special opportunity to come together with all different types of Jews from New York City — all different ages, all different religious backgrounds,” Rebecca Henner (SCW ‘26) told The Commentator. “It was a way of us coming together to show strength in numbers and that we won’t be scared of those who are trying to harm us.”
“It was really special to be at the rally and watch all different types of Jews come together to support Israel,” Miri Hochberg (SCW ‘28) told The Commentator.
Attendees held signs with messages like “Proud New Yorkers, Jews, Zionists” and “Proudly Park East.”
“There was a guy behind us with a sign that said ‘I am not a Jew with trembling knees,’” Eliana Zachter (SCW ‘28) told The Commentator. “He looked so proud showing it to his friends, saying ‘look at my sign, look at my sign.’ I could learn from him to stand up to all the antisemitism.”
“We are Am Yisrael and we are strong and we cannot just listen to all the antisemitism,” Zachter said. “We have to fight for ourselves and continue to stand up for ourselves.”
NYPD officers lined the perimeter of the rally, and private security guards checked attendees as they entered. No counterprotesters appeared at the event.
Most attendees expressed gratitude for the security presence. The crowd cheered when speakers mentioned the NYPD, and many thanked officers throughout the night. However, some in the crowd voiced frustration with officers about how they had handled the previous week’s protest, questioning why protesters were allowed so close to the synagogue entrance.
Rabbi Arthur Schneier, who has led Park East Synagogue for decades, spoke about his experience and how shaken he was by what happened at his synagogue. He called on attendees to advocate for proposed legislation that would restrict protests at houses of worship. The crowd recited the Mi Sheberach together for Israel and for the United States government. Speakers from UJA and a nearby JCC emphasized that Jewish safety is not a political issue but a basic right.
“United we prevail, divided we fail,” Rabbi Schneier said.
Afterwards, incoming comptroller, Mark Levine, gave a powerful speech. Levine quoted one of the protest leaders from the November incident who had told the crowd they needed to make synagogue-goers “scared.”
“This was an attempt to intimidate,” Levine said, making it clear that the community would not back down.
Zachter noted that the speakers emphasized their commitment to protecting all residents. “They were saying we are going to fight back and make this a place where everyone can feel safe,” she said. “This is what New York is fighting for.”
Between speeches, American-Jewish singer Matisyahu performed, and despite (or perhaps, because of) the freezing temperatures, people danced and sang along to his hit song “Jerusalem.”
The rally concluded with the Park East Synagogue children’s choir singing both “Hatikvah” and “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Watching the children sing about hope while standing in front of their own synagogue that had just been targeted gave listeners a feeling of hope for the future of the Jewish community at Park East.
“We’re going to keep doing what we're doing: being Jewish and spreading light,” Henner told The Commentator. “Even in the face of so much antisemitism, we’re still here and we’re still strong.”
The crowd dispersed after an hour, but the messages they conveyed will remain. The Jewish people will not be silent and the community will show up when their fellow Jews are targeted.
Photo Caption: Park East Synagogue Solidarity Rally
Photo Credit: Elizabeth Kohl
