All right, we're gonna get started.

Uming and welcome to our Jewish American Heritage Month celebration.

Tonight we honor the remarkable contributions Jewish Americans have made to Westchester County's cultural and civic landscape.

Our Jewish neighbors, friends, and family have strengthened our local democracy through their commitment to diversity and social justice across communities.

Tonight, we recognize a landmark organization and exceptional public servant, the nonprofit Westchester Jewish Council, which has built a hub that connects, convenes, and advocates for more than 125 Jewish organizations across the county who happen to be celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, and the honorable Susie Oppenheimer, who served the people of Westchester County and New York State for decades as a mayor, as a state senator in many capacities, earning a reputation as a tireless advocate for education, environmental protection, health care, and government reform.

These two honorees represent the compassion and public service that make Westchester such a wonderful place to live.

And as always, Westchester County remains firmly against anti-Semitism and all forms of hate and discrimination.

We welcome uh majority leader Judah Holstein to honor the first nominee.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

First uh I'll congratulate uh Honorable uh Ms.

Oppenheimer, thank you for being here and uh congratulations to you.

Um but to the point.

Thank you.

Oh, I didn't see that.

Thank you.

Um degrading Israeli culture at Scarsdale High School, swastikas in Pelham schools, harassment of a Jewish business owner in Hastings, anti-Semitic graffiti at the Irvington train station, anti-Semitic content spreading in Ardsley Middle School.

These are not headlines from far away.

These are incidents right here in Westchester in just the few first few months of 2026.

In fact, there have already been 15 anti-Semitic incidents reported to RDA in our county this year, nearly one a week.

That's more than three times the next highest category of hate crime.

And this didn't start in 2026.

We've seen incidents at schools, in stores, and on streets across Westchester, from Somers to Rye to Neurochell to Yonkers.

According to the ADL, there were 72 anti-Semitic incidents in our county in 2024 alone.

But this is not just local.

Across the country and around the world, anti-Semitism is becoming more visible, more normalized, and more dangerous.

So, yes, we're here tonight to celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month, but we do so with clear eyes about the moment we're in.

And in moments like this, we have a responsibility to act just as we would for any of our communities.

That's why I continue to advocate and partner with organizations like the Westchester Jewish Council.

And now and why I'm working to advance legislation like the memo you'll see on tonight's agenda to protect access to religious institutions with buffer zones.

Because addressing what we are seeing requires action, not just words.

And still, many in the Jewish community are asking a basic question.

Are we safe here?

Are we welcome here?

That's exactly why the Westchester Jewish Council is so important.

For 50 years, WJC has been at the center of what makes this community strong.

They bring people together across synagogues, schools, and organizations, creating a unified voice that is stronger than any one institution alone.

They build relationships not just within the Jewish community, but across faiths and across communities, because they understand that real strength comes from both unity and trust.

They support institutions with resources, coordinate leadership, and step forward in moments like this when it matters most.

That is what 50 years of leadership looks like, not just longevity, but impact.

Obviously, Board President Michael Middleman, Senior Vice President Mark Clee, former President Bill Schrogg, we have so many people I'm not going to answer everybody, but COO Pam Goldstein, CEO at Forsheimer, and partners and friends from other partner organizations like UJA and AGC.

Thank you all for being here and demonstrating your leadership.

It is a big reason why WJC is as strong as it is today.

And while no single person represents this work, we're fortunate to have someone here tonight who reflects it.

Mark Clee, Senior Vice President of the Westchester Jewish Council and a resident of my district, has been deeply involved in advancing this mission.

I've had the privilege of seeing firsthand his commitment to both the Jewish community and the broader community beyond.

Mark, thank you for your leadership and for representing an organization that does so much for so many.

So tonight, as we recognize Jewish American Heritage Month and celebrate 50 years of the Westchester Jewish Council, it is my honor on behalf of the Westchester County Board of Legislators to present.

To present this recognition of the Jewish Council, which will be accepted by Mark Lee, and your day, the Westchester Jewish Council Day in Westchester County will be May 5th, 2026, when you'll be represented on the Jumbotron outside the county center.

I hope everyone here will tell everybody that they know to go visit and check it out and celebrate with us.

Thank you.

And we're joined here today by a number of our officers, our board members, and our affiliates.

In the interest of time, I'm not going to name them.

But my name is Mark Klee.

I am Senior Vice President of the Council and a 38-year resident of New Rochelle.

But founded 50 years ago, in the shadow of the Yom Kippur War, the council was built to protect and enrich Jewish life in Westchester.

Today we serve one of the largest Jewish communities in the world.

Nearly 10% of the county's residents are Jewish.

While our staff is small, our reach is vast.

As our mission states, we connect, convene, and safeguard.