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More than 600 elected officials, government leaders, clergy, and community leaders gathered in Manhattan on Sunday morning for Met Council’s Annual Legislative Breakfast, one of the largest annual gatherings of elected officials and Jewish community leaders in New York.

Held ahead of New York City’s Salute to Israel Parade, the breakfast brought together leaders from every level of government to recognize Met Council’s work serving 350,000 New Yorkers in need through its food pantry network, social services, senior programs, family violence services, and anti-poverty initiatives.

The program featured remarks from Governor Kathy Hochul, who joined Met Council to sign the “Keeping New Yorkers Safe” legislation, establishing buffer zones around houses of worship; U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles “Chuck” Schumer; New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, and New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, among more than three dozen elected officials who took to the stage in support of Met Council’s mission and in celebration of New York’s Jewish community.

“When New Yorkers have nowhere else to turn, they turn to Met Council,” said Met Council CEO David G. Greenfield. “Across our food pantries, senior services, domestic violence programs, and anti-poverty initiatives, we meet people at the hardest moments of their lives. The extraordinary turnout of elected officials and community leaders today reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that every New Yorker has access to the support and dignity they deserve.”

This year’s honorees included New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, New York City Comptroller Mark Levine, Secretary to the Governor Karen Persichilli Keogh, New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald, New York State Assembly Health Committee Chair Amy Paulin, New York State Senator Nathalia Fernandez, New York City Council Deputy Leader Chris Banks, Majority Whip Kamillah Hanks, Deputy Speaker Dr. Nantasha Williams and Majority Leader Shaun Abreu.

“Met Council embodies the values that make New York strong: caring for the vulnerable, supporting families in crisis and ensuring no one is left behind. Whether it is feeding the hungry, housing families, or caring for Holocaust survivors, this organization has spent decades lifting up New Yorkers and strengthening communities across our state….I have had enough of seeing Jewish New Yorkers harassed and intimidated simply for who they are. It is not enough to condemn antisemitism. We have to take action to stop it,” said Governor Kathy Hochul.

“We are home to the second largest Jewish population outside of Israel and at a time when antisemitism is rising at alarming levels, New York must continue to lead,” shared City Council Speaker Julie Menin. “Today we proudly celebrate Jewish culture, Jewish heritage, and the Jewish state while standing united against hate in all its forms. Organizations like Met Council represent the very best of our city, providing critical food, social services, and support to hundreds of thousands of vulnerable New Yorkers each year while strengthening communities across all five boroughs.”

“I was raised to believe deeply in Am Yisrael Chai and that is how I am raising my children. My Jewish identity is not something I put on and take off. It is who I am and who I will always be. I understand the fear many in our community have felt since October 7 which is why I take this responsibility so personally. Organizations like Met Council reflect the values that make our community strong and my commitment is simple: every Jewish New Yorker should be able to gather, worship, and celebrate their heritage proudly knowing the NYPD is doing everything possible to keep them safe,” added NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.

Over the past year, Met Council reached record levels of service across its programs. The organization served 350,000 New Yorkers statewide, distributed 1,880,457 pounds of food each month through its pantry network, and processed 239,366 digital pantry orders through Market by Met Council.

Met Council also helped New Yorkers access $20,700,000 in SNAP benefits through applications and recertifications and distributed $1,518,127 in cash assistance through its crisis intervention work.

Met Council’s senior services division assisted 2,576 Holocaust survivors with home deliveries and essential services, while its family violence and prevention programs supported 1,067 individuals. Through its Career Access Program, Met Council trained more than 503 participants through tech workshops, helping New Yorkers build skills and access workforce opportunities. n

Late Passage Of The 2026-2027 State Budget

By State Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick

Albany Democrats have once again proven that their dysfunction is the new normal. After backroom political games and secretive negotiations, a budget passed nearly two months after the deadline that increases spending and creates new taxes. At a time when New Yorkers are already struggling with punishingly high taxes, rising utility bills, and increasing basic costs of living, they force taxpayers to pay more while doing too little to address the affordability crisis facing families across our state.

New Yorkers waited 56 days for a budget that fails the basic test: does it make our state more affordable, safer, and easier to live in?

Governor Hochul and her Democratic legislators continue to measure success by how much it spends, rather than whether people can afford to stay here. While any budget that is made up of thousands of pages and hundreds of billions of dollars will inevitably include some provisions that I support and have advocated for, on the whole, this budget did not address the root of New York’s affordability crisis—out of control tax and spend policies from Albany.

A one-time rebate does not provide a long-term plan to lower everyday costs or climbing utility rates that have been caused by the governor’s lackluster leadership.

The budget also fails on public safety. New Yorkers deserve laws that hold dangerous offenders accountable, protects victims, and restores common sense. One-party control in Albany continues to prioritize criminals over the safety of families and our communities.

New Yorkers deserve responsible budgeting and a government that puts them first. 

Mamdani Pedals His Anti-American Antisemitism Past The Parade

By Assemblyman Ari Brown (R-Cedarhurst)

Soon-to-be Governor Bruce Blakeman showed up. Sid Rosenberg showed up. Governor Kathy Hochul showed up. Michael Bloomberg showed up. Eric Adams showed up. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch showed up. Hundreds of thousands of proud Israel supporters flooded the streets.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani? He was pedaling around Manhattan on a bicycle in a suit, wearing that now-familiar stupid grin of his for social media videos, while talking about his re-election campaign.

He had time for that.

He had zero time for the Israel Day Parade.

No one was shocked. Mamdani boycotted it on principle—by his own admission. He is the first New York City mayor in 60 years to skip the parade.

This is the same man who refuses to condemn “globalize the intifada”, a chant Jewish leaders and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum call, “a direct call for violence against Jews.” He defended it as a Democrat Socialist’s desperate “desire for equality.”

This is the same mayor who backs BDS to economically choke Israel, scrapped the IHRA definition of antisemitism on his first day in office—because it “conflates” criticism of Israel with Jew-hatred, and accuses Israel of “genocide,” while minimizing Hamas’s barbarism.

His wife liked posts labeling the October 7th atrocities—a massacre of Jewish babies, gang rapes, families burned alive, hostages dragged to Gaza—as a “mass rape hoax” and “collective liberation.”

Mr. Mamdani, you’re not the Mayor of Gaza or the West Bank. You’re the Mayor of New York City, home to one of the world’s largest Jewish communities.

Real leadership means standing with all New Yorkers, not just your radical base. You didn’t, because you’re an antisemite. That’s why you purposely boycotted the parade. You’re a shameful Radical Islamist who chose anti-Israel ideology over the safety and dignity of not just Jewish New Yorkers, but all Americans. You have a hatred for not only the Jewish people, but for American values and Judeo-Christian values. When it mattered, you picked your movement over your city.

The Israel Day Parade didn’t expose you. It confirmed you. n

Memorial Day Ceremony

Lawrence Trustee Aaron Parnes, Commander Marianela Lizana-Plaza, TOH Clerk Kate Murray, Cedarhurst Trustee Izzy Wasser, Rabbi Yechezkel Freundlich, Presiding Officer Howard Kopel, Supervisor John Ferretti, Mayor Samuel Nahmias, Mayor Ben Weinstock, State Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Assemblyman Ari Brown, and Cedarhurst Trustee Dan Plaut honor our fallen heroes at the Memorial Day Ceremony

The Villages of Cedarhurst and Lawrence came together in a meaningful display of unity and remembrance during a solemn Memorial Day ceremony honoring the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

Held at Cedarhurst Village Hall, the ceremony brought together residents, veterans, elected officials, and community leaders to reflect on the sacrifices made by America’s fallen heroes. Throughout the program, speakers emphasized the significance of Memorial Day and the importance of preserving the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation.

The ceremony concluded with a stirring rendition of “God Bless the USA” performed by students from Lawrence High School, whose heartfelt voices captured the spirit of patriotism and reflection that defined the event.

Mayors Ben Weinstock and Samuel Nahmias, State Senator Patricia Canzoneri Fitzpatrick, Assemblyman Ari Brown, Legislative Presiding Officer Howard Kopel, and Supervisor John Ferretti, and community leaders delivered remarks that resonated with all in attendance. While emphasizing that Memorial Day is dedicated to honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation, Mayor Weinstock took a moment to recognize a remarkable veteran in attendance, Max Marcus, a 102-year-old World War II veteran. He thanked Mr. Marcus, along with all veterans present, for their service, sacrifice, and dedication to the United States. Mayor Samuel Nahmias concluded by marveling over U.S. and Israel military cooperation in defending freedom and reflecting that many in the room would not be there today without the heroism of our veterans.

The ceremony served as a powerful reminder of the cost of freedom and the enduring obligation to honor and remember those who gave their lives in service to the United States. n

Village of Lawrence Announces Water Infrastructure Upgrades and Roadway Improvements

The Village of Lawrence is pleased to announce that Liberty Water has begun a series of water main replacement projects as part of its ongoing efforts to improve water service reliability, water quality, and system performance throughout the community.

The project includes the replacement of aging water mains on the following streets:

– Lord Avenue (between Central Avenue and Broadway) – approximately 1,000 feet of pipe

– Rand Place – approximately 725 feet of pipe

– Lismore Road – approximately 450 feet of pipe

– Wentworth Place – approximately 515 feet of pipe

– Stevens Place – approximately 300 feet of pipe

– Wildacre Place – approximately 725 feet of pipe

According to Liberty Water, infrastructure upgrades are selected after a comprehensive review of the age and condition of existing water mains, repair history, and customer service data, including water pressure concerns and service complaints.

Construction will continue throughout the month of June.

These improvements are designed to address water pressure deficiencies, accommodate increased demand on the system, and enhance overall water quality for residents.

Following the completion of the water main replacement work, the Village of Lawrence will repave the affected roadways to ensure streets are fully restored and improved for residents.

“Our administration has made infrastructure improvements a top priority, and this project is another important step forward,” said Mayor Samuel Nahmias. “Replacing aging water mains before they become larger problems is a smart investment that will improve service for residents today and strengthen our community for years to come. We are proud to partner with Liberty Water on this initiative and will ensure that the affected streets are fully repaved once the work is complete.” 

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