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This May, as we recognize Jewish American Heritage Month, we celebrate the enduring contributions Jewish Americans have made to our nation, our communities, and the values that define our country. Here on Long Island, particularly throughout the South Shore communities of Nassau County, the Jewish community has long been a pillar of faith, family, education, charity, and civic leadership. The strength and compassion demonstrated by our Jewish neighbors have helped shape the character of our communities for generations.

My husband and I are raising our large family in the Town of Hempstead, where faith, family, and the freedom to worship openly are values we hold close to our hearts. Like so many families across Nassau County, we believe every person should feel safe practicing their faith without fear or intimidation. That is why the recent discovery of antisemitic graffiti in Lawrence and the rise in hateful acts targeting Jewish residents are so deeply disturbing. These are not harmless incidents of vandalism—they are deliberate acts of hatred meant to intimidate, harass, and spread fear throughout our communities.

At a time when antisemitism is increasing across our nation, silence is not an option. We must confront hatred directly and stand firmly with our Jewish neighbors. Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip has shown important leadership in this fight through legislation designed to protect religious liberty and public safety. I have supported her “mask ban,” which prohibits violent protestors from hiding behind masks to conceal their identities. I have also consulted with Mazi regarding her Religious Freedom Act, which establishes protections around houses of worship to prevent harassment and obstruction. Both of these common-sense actions are responsive to the needs of our communities.

At the same time, the Town of Hempstead, where I serve as the Receiver of Taxes, has a strong bond with the Jewish community, maintaining an antisemitism task force, establishing anti-BDS legislation, creating a Holocaust Memorial at Rock Hall Museum, and bolstering patrols to ensure safety around houses of worship during holy days.

Every family should feel safe walking into a synagogue. Every child should feel proud and secure wearing a Star of David. Every person deserves the freedom to worship peacefully without fear of intimidation. These are not partisan principles—they are fundamental American values.

We must also continue to stand strongly with the State of Israel, America’s greatest ally in the Middle East. In this era of terrorism and growing extremism, Israel has the right to defend its citizens against violence and terror, just as every sovereign nation does.

As communities gather for community events celebrating Jewish pride, unity, and resilience, we will send a powerful message that hatred will never overcome the strength of our communities or the bonds that unite us.

As a candidate for Congress in New York’s 4th Congressional District, I believe public service is about protecting the values that allow communities to thrive: safety, respect, opportunity, and religious freedom. Hatred directed at one community ultimately threatens us all. As Jewish American Heritage Month comes to a close, let us recommit ourselves to confronting antisemitism wherever it appears and to defending the dignity, freedom, and respect that make both Long Island and America strong. Our communities are strongest when we stand together, and today that unity matters more than ever. n

{Congresswoman Laura Gillen Supports Local Projects

Over the past year, Congresswoman Laura Gillen secured more than $50 million of federal funding to invest in our community and make Nassau County a better and safer place to live.

NICE Bus Replacements and Upgraded Rockville Centre Bus Depot – $42,000,000. This investment will help to purchase modern, low-emission buses and rehabilitate the county bus facility located in Rockville Centre. These upgrades will better serve families, residents, and businesses all across Long Island’s South Shore.

Rockville Centre Hickey Field Accessibility Upgrades – $2,000,000. To embrace the needs of Challenger League families, field’s rehabilitation with ADA-compliant bathrooms, paved pathways, and new field turfing for our Little League’s special needs community.

Village of Hempstead Water Treatment Upgrades – $1,092,000. Hempstead recently found shockingly high levels of toxic, cancer-causing PFAS chemicals in its water, due in part to its more than a century-old water treatment plant. After Mary Purdie, a Hempstead resident, shared her efforts to tackle this issue, Gillen took her fight to Washington to deliver clean water for the Village.

Over $1 million in funding is being provided to modernize this plant and ensure a safer, more reliable water system for years to come.

Rockville Centre Police Security Cameras – $1,031,000. Laura Gillen stood alongside Rockville Centre Mayor Francis Murray and Police Commissioner Randy Dodd to celebrate this investment in high-grade police security cameras to help prevent and solve crimes throughout our communities.

Bellerose Village Fire Department – $938,000. Bellerose tried for years to secure federal funding for their small village and never received a CPF investment before last year. This funding will go to purchase a new fire truck for the Village. 

Lakeview Public Library Third Floor Modernization – $850,000. Before this investment, the third floor was vacant, and the library was unable to realize its full potential for the community.

Village of Hempstead Road Safety Improvements – $586,000. Laura Gillen stood with Hempstead Mayor Hobbs, Police Chief Holland and Pastor Stewart to advocate for federal funding to improve road safety in the Village. 

Garden City Historic Firehouse Renovation – $500,000. This investment will help modernize the nearly 100-year-old fire station facility, expand its capabilities, and strengthen emergency services for the entire community. n

{Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick Response to Gov. Hochul Announcing $4 Billion State Support to Stabilize NYC Budget

“Once again, Governor Hochul is putting New York City’s political leadership ahead of the hardworking taxpayers across the rest of the state. The Governor announced an additional $4 billion in state assistance to help close New York City’s growing budget gap and support Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration.

“This announcement comes as the State Legislature has passed its 11th budget extender for a spending plan that was due on April 1, and after the Governor had already claimed there was a budget agreement last week. While Albany continues to miss its most basic constitutional responsibility of adopting a state budget on time, the Governor is focused on bailing out New York City rather than addressing the affordability crisis facing families and communities throughout the rest of New York.

“With five consecutive late budgets, including the latest state budget in 16 years, Albany’s broken budget process is once again on full display. The Governor’s priorities have never been clearer: despite repeated promises to address affordability, this budget prioritizes political favors and shifts the cost of New York City’s problems onto taxpayers across the rest of the state, rather than delivering a fiscally responsible future for all New Yorkers.

“New Yorkers deserve to know why New York City is getting a bailout to the tune of billions of dollars while the rest of the state continues waiting for a final budget that is six weeks overdue.” 

“}]]|Read More    5 Towns Jewish Times