Mercaz Academy welcomed Congressman Tom Suozzi to a Town Hall with students from third through sixth grade on Friday, May 9. Scroll down to read about this exciting and unprecedented visit...

“It’s good to attend a school where you are taught values based on faith, where you learn right from wrong,” the Congressman said. “The most important lesson to learn is that when you have to make tough decisions, you must base your decisions on your values. Always stick with what you know is right.”

Congressman Suozzi went on to explain that his support for Israel began in high school as he read about the Holocaust and was solidified on a trip there during the First Intifada. Mercaz students listened to his story with interest, returning to the topic of Israel during the question-and-answer session with questions like,”How have you helped Israel especially during this congressional term, and what are your plans for the future?” 

The Congressman discussed his support for allocating money to Israel for defense and his visits there, as well as his involvement with the Neutra family in attempts to bring Omer home. One sixth grader asked the Congressman if he got hate mail from others because of his support for the Jewish people. “The internet makes hate easy and anonymous,” Congressman Suozzi replied, “but you have to stand up for what you believe in. Most Americans and most people in government are supportive of Israel. But certain voices tend to get amplified.”

Congressman Suozzi answered students’ questions long after the program formally concluded, including one from a student who wanted to know how he had responded to campus antisemitism. Congressman Suozzi told the student about his visit to Columbia University at the height of the protests to show his support for Jewish students facing harassment, intimidation, and vicious antisemitic attacks on campus. 

Mercaz students were grateful for the opportunity to speak with a sitting Congressman who listens to the concerns of his young Jewish constituents and shares their appreciation for the State of Israel. “It was cool that he came here,” said one student. “I liked how he actually went to Israel to see what was happening there,” said another, “and that it was because of what he saw that he supports Israel.”

“With this program, we had two main goals–to provide students with insight into the workings of government and to empower them to engage in the process by advocating for Israel and expressing their views to elected officials,” said Rabbi Fogel. “The enthusiasm of our students throughout their Advocacy Workshop and their interaction with Congressman Suozzi is proof positive that we have made excellent progress on both.”