The Journey of Two Peoples, a Celebration of Jewish and Hispanic Cultures

 From left: Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, Congressman Eliot Engel, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Consul General of Israel in New York Ambassador Ido Aharoni and Council Member Andrew Cohen

  It was a celebration of the Jewish Holiday Sukkot, and Hispanic Heritage Month at the  Salanter Akiba Riverdale (SAR) Academy last night. 

 The event—sponsored by the Consulate General of Israel in New York, the Office of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and JCRC-NY—highlighted the Jewish and Hispanic peoples' experiences with migration, and underscored how each community's exodus has uniquely shaped them today.

  Consul General of Israel in New York, Ambassador Ido Aharoni remarked, "In celebrating the holiday of Sukkot this year, we not only reflect upon the story of the migration of the Jewish people and the temporary dwellings they lived in, but we also remember the difficult personal exodus so many Latinos faced when immigrating to the United States." 

 "Just as the Jewish people in Israel carried with them their heritage and culture, so too have the Latinos who have come to this country," Aharoni added. "Both of our communities have understood that preserving a rich heritage while building a new home is paramount to ensure a meaningful future."

  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.  "This was an amazing event, one that brought together the Latino and Jewish communities of not just The Bronx but the entire City, both of which have played important roles in reshaping their communities. This evening not only helped ring in the Jewish Holiday of Sukkot and celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month, it also offered our Latino and Jewish communities a chance to bond through stories, music and even Kosher Mexican food. Both groups left realizing that they share a lot more in common than a date on the calendar, and it is my sincere hope we can replicate this event in the future."

  “There are many parallels between our Jewish and Hispanic cultures that we must celebrate and embrace, and in a city like New York, it’s imperative that both communities support one another, said Congressman Eliot Engel “As the Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the AJC Latino Jewish Caucus, I am committed to further strengthening the ties between our two communities. Together, we can advance our common goals and our shared vision for the future.”

   Rabbi Michael S. Miller, Executive Vice President and CEO, Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, “Sukkot is a joyous festival made all the more jubilant by the coming together of family and friends in the sukkah, a temporary dwelling with a thatch roof commemorating the 40 year journey of the Children of Israel during Biblical times from slavery in Egypt to nationhood in Israel, the Promised Land. The sukkah is also viewed in Jewish tradition as a singular symbol of peace, Sukkat Shalom. As Jews celebrate their spiritual heritage, we are doubly blessed to peacefully gather together in the sukkah this evening with sisters and brothers from the Hispanic community, who have experienced their own journeys, as they celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. May the festival of Sukkot continue to serve as a binding force bringing Jews, Hispanics and New Yorkers of all faiths and ethnicities closer together.”

Rabbi Michael S.Miller welcomes every one to the Jewish festival of Sukkot, and Hispanic Heritage Month at SAR. 

 The front row included (L -R) Ambassador Ido Aharoni Consul General of Israel, State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Councilman Andrew Cohen, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, State Senator Jeff Klein,  Congressman Eliot Engel, and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.