Victor Cohen
A group of community members gathered for a special dinner hosted by OP Development on March 25th honoring the Mayor of Jerusalem, Mr. Moshe Lion. This intimate evening was designed to strengthen the bonds between our community and Israel, and especiallywith Jerusalem. It was an awe-inspiring night, that included worthy charitable projects in Jerusalem and words of hizukfrom Rabbi Eli Mansour.
For generations, our community has held a deep spiritual and emotional connection to Israel. We direct our prayers to Jerusalem. We visit when we can. We send our children there to learn in yeshiva after graduatinghigh school, allowing them to connect with the Land of Israel in a profound way. Following the events of October 7th, our community stepped up to the plate to support Israel. We joined solidarity missions, prayed for the hostages and for the Israeli soldiers, and supplied significant financial and humanitarian aid. We reconfirmed that our ties to the land and the people of Israel are real and enduring. Our community has become increasingly more connected with the land itself, and many now think of Israel as their second home.
But for many, the dream of having a home in Israel has felt distant. Where would we find the same sense of community like we have in Brooklyn, Deal, Panama, or Mexico? How do we carry our unity, traditions, and values into our second home – and ensure they grow even stronger? In the past, the idea of owning in Israel, despite being appealing, did not seem practical.
Today, through the dedicated efforts of our community to foster deep connections and build strong networks in Israel, that distant dream is becoming a reality. With a growing number of thoughtfully-planned projects designed around our values and lifestyle, home ownership in Israel is no longer just an idea – it’s a tangible, accessible opportunity to extend our community and spirit into a new home.
Dinner with the Mayor of Jerusalem
The dinner with Mayor Moshe Lion, themed “Building Bridges Between Jerusalem and Our Community,” was a celebration of shared values and forward vision. Held at Castell’s, the event was attended by prominent community members committed to deepening our connection with Israel, all of whom had the opportunity to meet the mayor personally.
Before becoming mayor, Moshe Lion played an influential role in major infrastructure and cultural projects across the country. His work in Jerusalem has focused on bridging the city’s diverse communities, boosting economic growth, and advancing large-scale urban renewal initiatives. Known for his pragmatic approach and deep commitment to the city’s unique character, Lion continues to champion projects that aim to make Jerusalem a thriving, inclusive, and globally connected city.
Inspiring speeches were deliveredby Harry Adjmi, Sammy Ayal, Menachem Lubinsky – an esteemed representative from the Har HaZeitim revitalization project, Rabbi Eli Mansour, and Mayor Moshe Lion.
Harry Adjmi spoke about the unwavering support and mutual assistance that define our community, highlighting how we always stand by one another. “This is what we do. This is who we are. We care so much about our community and about each other.”
When Harry spoke, he recognized that many refer to New York as the greatest city in the world. He disagreed, however, believing the world’s greatest city is actually Jerusalem. “The man who leads it,” Harry remarked, referring to Moshe Lion, “will forever be a friend to the Syrian Jewish community.”
Harry closed by referencing the strong connection between our community and Israel. “We are connected through the spirit of life in Israel, something that will continue forever and ever.” Then, he introduced the founder of OP, Sammy Ayal.
Sammy reaffirmed the important goal of the night. “Tonight is all about our community connecting with the Mayor of Jerusalem and connecting the Syrian community – one unlike any other – with Jerusalem – a city unlike any other.”
He demonstrated this by pointing out that Jerusalem is mentioned in Tanach 669 times. It is at the center of our prayers, our hopes, and our dreams as a nation. It is a place that holds, for us as Jews, unmatched historical significance. It also is significant for our future as Jews. Sammy concluded by quoting from Pirke Avot, where Rabbi Shimon answers what is the best trait that a person can acquire – “Haroeh et hanolad” – one who sees what the future holds. “The future is in Jerusalem.”
Menachem Lubinsky, a leader of the Har HaZeitim revitalization project, then shared details of his important work. Har HaZeitim is the final resting place of the Ramban, Menachem Begin, Eliezer ben-Yehuda, and the prophets Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, to name a few. Har HaZeitim was significantly damaged during the Jordanian occupation (1948-67). Lubinsky hopes the project will preserve this sacred site for generations to come by building a new visitor’s center.
Rabbi Mansour spoke next and focused on the special status Jerusalem has compared to the rest of the world, even to the rest of Israel. “Rambam writes that there is Jerusalem, and then the rest of Israel. The world began in Jerusalem. Hashem took dirt from the Temple Mount and created Adam.Noah brought his korban in Jerusalem. Abraham was tested with the Akedah in Jerusalem.”
After the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash Israel lost its kedusha, but that is not the case with Jerusalem. “It will be eternal.”
Rabbi Mansour introduced Mayor Lion. Before beginning his speech, the mayor sang in Hebrew. He underscored his appreciation for the Syrian community and how grateful he was to get to know the community better. He reiterated that there is no city like Jerusalem throughout the world. He acknowledged the efforts to restore Har HaZeitim.
It was a beautiful night, and an expression of love for the land of Israel, especially Jerusalem.
Next Year in Jerusalem
“At the end of every seder, year after year, we traditionally say, ‘Next year in Jerusalem.’ It’s a hopeful declaration we make each Passover, envisioning the day we will be in Jerusalem.” By strengthening the ties between our community and the leadership in Jerusalem, as well as by providing a viable pathway to owning in Israel, our community has laid out the roadmap. It is up to us now to take the leap and find ourselves “next year in Jerusalem.”