Shana Tova! JCRC-NY Hosts Rosh Hashanah Celebration with Prominent Elected Officials and Community Leaders

Community leaders celebrate the Jewish New Year

QUEENS, NY (09/18/2025) (readMedia)-- Ahead of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY) hosted a celebration of the Jewish New Year, 5786, with community leaders and elected officials from across the city. Attendees engaged directly with the customs of Rosh Hashanah, gaining a deeper understanding of the meaning and significance of the holiday. The event was co-sponsored by UJA-Federation of New York and the Queens Jewish Community Council.

Among the guests were State Attorney General Leticia James, NY Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley, CUNY Chancellor Felix V. Matos Rodríguez, and more than a dozen elected officials who joined the celebration, including State Senators Leroy Comrie and John Liu, Assemblymembers Sam Berger, Alex Bores, David Weprin, Larinda Hooks, Catalina Cruz, and Alicia Hyndman, Speaker of the New York City Council, Adrienne Adams, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., Queens DA Melinda Katz, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, and Council Member Gale Brewer.

The program featured greetings from elected officials, who shared their hopes and wishes for the New Year; remarks from JCRC-NY CEO Mark Treyger, UJA-Federation of New York Vice President for Government Relations Daniel Rosenthal, and Queens Jewish Community Council President Barry Grodenchik; reflections on the Jewish High Holidays from JCRC's Sara Fredman Aeder; and remarks from Israeli journalist and food personality Gil Hovav, who guided guests in preparing tabbouleh, a delicious Middle Eastern salad of couscous, vegetables, and herbs. Guests also tasted apples dipped in honey while reciting the Shehecheyanu blessing, heard the blast of the shofar blown by JCRC-NY Chair Ben Golub, and joined in a symbolic Tashlich, a Rosh Hashanah ritual in which Jews cast breadcrumbs into flowing water to represent letting go of mistakes from the past year. Participants also received resource materials, including blessings, holiday explainers, and recipes to continue their learning at home.

"This celebration captured the spirit of Rosh Hashanah-a time of renewal, reflection, and hope for the year ahead," said JCRC-NY CEO Mark Treyger. "When we come together across communities to share traditions and experiences as we did today, we strengthen the bonds that make New York safer and more connected for everyone. We are grateful to the UJA-Federation of New York, the Queens Jewish Community Council, and all our partners and guests for joining us to welcome 5786 in a spirit of unity and joy. As we look ahead, JCRC-NY will continue working to build bridges and deepen connections among New Yorkers of every background."

"As we gather to mark the beginning of the Jewish new year, I want to thank everyone who joined us today. This past year has brought profound challenges to our community, and we know the year ahead will demand even more from all of us. Celebrating with our elected officials today, I believe we will face those challenges together - as one New York. And most importantly, we pray for the safe return of all the hostages and peace in the year to come," said Daniel Rosenthal, Vice President, Government and External Relations, UJA-Federation of New York.

"The QJCC, its executive director Rabbi Mayer Waxman, and I are delighted to join with our outstanding partners at the JCRC-NY to celebrate Rosh HaShanah. As we enter this holy time of year we are more resolved than ever to continue to uplift our community, helping those in need access a wide array of social services. Our food pantry continues to keep our clients well fed. Our Rosh HaShanah food distribution will ensure a more meaningful holiday for over 1,000 persons. May the New Year be a blessing for all the residents of Queens and New York City," said Queens Jewish Community Council President Barry Grodenchik.

"It was wonderful to celebrate Rosh Hashanah with so many outstanding leaders from our city's Jewish community," said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. "Our borough's Jewish residents contribute so much to the vibrancy and vitality that makes Queens special, so I deeply thank the JCRC-NY and its partners for organizing this fantastic event. I wish everyone a Happy Jewish New Year, and I hope all those marking the High Holy Days get to experience meaningful celebrations with family and friends."

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said, "I am proud to join JCRC and its partners for a Rosh Hashanah community celebration. As we usher in the New Year, my office remains committed to the protection and security of Jewish communities. In these times of ongoing challenges, our greatest strength is found in coming together as a community and embracing our shared responsibility to build a more just and peaceful future. Shana Tovah!"

"As we welcome the new year, may we strengthen the good from the last 12 months as well as take seriously the lessons of how we can improve our world. I'm grateful to JCRC-NY, UJA, and partners for bringing the community together to celebrate," said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. "May this new year be happy and sweet for all."

"As we celebrate Rosh Hashanah, it is critical that we share in the traditions, reflections, and joys of the High Holidays," said Speaker Adrienne Adams. "Learning and appreciating the different cultures, religions, and experiences that shape our communities makes us stronger. I thank our community partners for gathering us in celebration of the Jewish New Year, and I hope our city's Jewish community has a sweet, peaceful, and prosperous new year of 5786!"

NY State Senator John Liu stated, "As we welcome the Jewish New Year, we are reminded of the incredible strength and resilience of our community and the importance of sharing our most cherished traditions with our neighbors. On this Rosh Hashanah, we take time to reaffirm our commitment to a stronger, more united community, and look forward to a year of hope, unity, and new beginnings. Many thanks to JCRC-NY for bringing us together to celebrate the High Holy Days. Wishing all a joyous and sweet new year!"

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About JCRC-NY: JCRC-NY, a proud UJA-Federation of New York agency, serves as the primary community relations agency for the Jewish community in the metropolitan New York area. As an active force in New York civic and communal life, JCRC-NY operates as a central coordinating and resource body with a mission to build relationships to advance the values, interests, and security of the Jewish community and to create a more interconnected New York for all.