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The Westchester Jewish Council's
WE-stchester
Comm-UNITY
Connection
June 4, 2026 19 Sivan 5786
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Greetings!
This week began with the energy and excitement of the Israel Day Parade, where record marchers attended from Westchester in our marching coalition and crowds gathered to celebrate Israel, Jewish identity, and community under sunny blue skies. We're already counting down to next year's celebration!
We are celebrating Pride Month throughout June and have highlighted below many local programs happening during this time. Be sure to visit our Community Calendar for more local Pride events.
Jewish American Heritage Month may have ended, but the celebration continues next week with a special Jewish Heritage Night hosted by the Westchester Soccer Club. Join us on Wednesday, June 10th at 7:00 PM at Memorial Field in Mt. Vernon, where Westchester SC will face NYCFC II. This evening promises to blend the excitement of soccer with a celebration of Jewish culture and community. You can find ticket information and more details within this newsletter.
Happy weekend to all and Shabbat Shalom!
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Michael Mittelman, President
Elliot Forchheimer, CEO
Lori Kurlander, Communications Manager
WESTCHESTER JEWISH COUNCIL
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HERE WHEN YOU NEED US - YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW:
Since 1975, the Council has connected our Jewish community to:
Each other, to Israel, to our elected officials and
to our brothers and sisters from other faiths and ethnic groups
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(The Council is financially supported by donations from individuals,
dues from 120 member organizations and generous financial support from UJA-Federation.)
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Our 51st Annual Meeting was held last week. President Michael Mittelman gave a comprehensive report on the "state of the Council," including some highlights of plans for the coming year. We honored and recognized both incoming and outgoing board members.
We were honored to recognize the legacy of former Council President Irwin S. Davison z'l with the Michael D. Karnes Meritorious Service Award presented posthumously. His wife, Ilene, graciously accepted the award on his behalf, reminding us of the profound influence his leadership and commitment continue to have on our organization.
Click here to view the new and continuing Council leadership. Thank you to all outgoing board and executive committee members who gave their time while serving on the Westchester Jewish Council Board of Directors. Thank you to JCCH for hosting this meeting.
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Fifth Avenue was awash in blue and white this past weekend as thousands gathered for the Israel Day Parade under beautiful blue skies. With record attendance, the energy and spirit on display were truly inspiring.
Westchester was proudly represented by community members, synagogues, schools, and organizations from across the county, showcasing the strength and vibrancy of our local Jewish community and the many member organizations that help make it thrive. We were 1000+ proud!
It was also wonderful to see elected officials standing with the community, including Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, White Plains Mayor Justin Brasch, NY State Representative Amy Paulin, and Westchester County Board of Legislator and Majority Leader Judah Holstein. Their presence, along with that of so many supporters, helped make the day a meaningful celebration of unity, pride, and connection to Israel.
Thank you to JCRC for organizing the parade and to UJA-Federation for the t-shirts and coordination.
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SAVE THE DATE
50th Annual Jewish Music and Arts Festival
August 16 at 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Kensico Dam, Valhalla, NY
Free
Look out for more details coming soon.
| | JEWISH HERITAGE MONTH EVENTS & NEWS | | |
This June, come together with the community and the Westchester Jewish Council for a special Jewish Heritage Night with the Westchester Soccer Club. On Wednesday, June 10th at 7:00 PM, join us at Memorial Field in Mt. Vernon as Westchester SC faces NYCFC II in an evening that combines the excitement of soccer with a celebration of Jewish culture and community.
This family-friendly event features kosher food options and a vibrant atmosphere for all to enjoy. Tickets are just $15, making it an accessible and meaningful night out for everyone. FREE PARKING!!!!
Event Details:
Wednesday, June 10th, Gates open at 5:30 PM | Kickoff at 7:00 PM
Memorial Field, 431 Garden Ave, Mt. Vernon
We hope you’ll join us for this memorable evening of community pride and celebration.
| | CONNECTING GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY | | |
New York State recently enacted legislation creating additional protections for houses of worship, including synagogues.
Key points include:
- Creating a new offense of criminal interference with access to a place of religious worship.
- Making it a misdemeanor to intentionally block, impede, or intimidate individuals entering or leaving a house of worship.
- Authorizing law enforcement to establish 50-foot security perimeters around houses of worship when necessary to ensure safe access and protect public safety.
- Applying these protections to all houses of worship, including synagogues, churches, mosques, temples, and religious schools.
For synagogues and other faith communities, the law provides law enforcement with clearer authority to address obstruction, intimidation, and interference with worshippers seeking to attend religious services and activities.
This is an opportunity for synagogues to reach out to their local official or Chiefs of police to learn more about their plans regarding this new legislations and ask if there is any help we can offer.
Please contact Rika Levin at rika@wjcouncil.org if you have any questions.
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ASIAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL RETURNS TO KENSICO DAM PLAZA ON JUNE 6
Festival celebrates Asian cultures with performances, crafts, food and children’s activities!
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ARE YOU READY TO HOST A YOUNG ISRAELI EMISSARY STARTING IN LATE AUGUST? It is an incredible opportunity for any family that has an extra bedroom to bring some Israeli culture into their home for 3-5 months. You will gain an extended family in Israel and a friendship that will last a lifetime.
Please reach out to Karen Avneri for more information.
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WESTCHESTER JEWISH COUNCIL'S
SECURITY AND SAFETY UPDATE
“Repetition Reinforces Retention and Recall”
| | For more information about the Westchester Jewish Council's Security Roundtable initiative, contact security@wjcouncil.org. Working together we are all safer. | | WESTCHESTER JEWISH COUNCIL ROUNDTABLES | | |
Westchester Jewish Council
Upcoming Community Roundtables
(The Council thanks the hundreds of people who dedicate time to attend our Roundtables - a signature initiative of the Council, often sponsored with wonderful partners from among our member organizations)
| | Our roundtables have come to an end for this calendar year. They will commence again in the fall. Thank you to everyone who participated. | | |
Westchester Business and Professional Division Spring Dinner
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Join the UJA Westchester Business and Professional Division for our annual Spring Dinner. We’ll honor Geri Eisenman Pell for her philanthropic leadership and years of commitment to the Jewish community and the Hon. Jeffrey A. Cohen (ret) for his dedication to Israel and advancing Jewish causes throughout our local community and beyond. Register now: https://www.ujafedny.org/event/view/bp-spring-dinner
| | A SMALL SAMPLE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING... | | Temple Israel of Northern Westchester (TINW) is experiencing an exciting period of growth and renewal, with the recent election of a new Senior Rabbi, the launch of Phase I facility renovations, an active membership drive, and innovative fall programming. | | |
CSI – Pride Shabbat
June 6th at 9:30am
Join us for Pride Shabbat with guest speaker Eliana Rubin, the New York Education & Training Manager at Keshet, a national organization working for the full equality of LGBTQ+ Jews and their families in Jewish life.
Eliana is a queer and trans educator and artist who aims to help people better understand themselves and the world around them through her work at Keshet. She received her Master of Educational Leadership from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and previously worked at The Jewish Education Project. Eliana is also a musician and theatre maker with a BFA in Drama from NYU/Tisch.
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CONDOLENCES TO:
The family of Howard Rubin z"l, former Director of Westchester Jewish Conference (Westchester Jewish Council). We share some pages from his memoir in which he discusses his role at WJC.
The family of Judge Lawrence "Larry" Ecker z"l, beloved member and former Greenburgh Hebrew Center President
May their memory be a blessing
MAZEL TOV TO:
Shames JCC on its annual benefit honoring Early Childhood Center leaders Ann Zarider and Ronnie Brockman
The Leffell School Seniors who are graduating this weekend
Beth El Synagogue Center on its annual gala this evening, honoring Lauren Freeman-Bosworth & Brian Bosworth and Nina Luban & Scott Bonci
| | SOME QUICK MEDIA/COMMUNITY LINKS | | |
Westchester Jewish Council
925 Westchester Avenue, Suite 200, White Plains, NY 10604
914-328-7001 | info@wjcouncil.org | www.wjcouncil.org
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For information regarding submissions, please contact Lori Kurlander
The next Community Connection will be published on or about June 11, 2026
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