(By: Michoel Bretter)

“We were afraid that the nineteen year experiment was over.”

Standing at the lectern in Terrace on the Park in Queens – with a bird’s eye view of nighttime New York City – Chaim Leibtag recounted in vivid detail where he was fifty years earlier, in 1967, as the Six Day War raged: a young teenager glued to a black-and-white television set, panicked at the war declared upon the young Jewish State by its hostile neighbors.

Then, earlier than anyone dreamed of, came the news that not only has Israel defeated its enemies, but she has also gained control over the Kotel Hamaaravi, the Old City, Yehuda and Shomron. “It was the miracle of our lifetime,” Mr. Leibtag recounted. “Yerushalayim is never, never, never to be divided again.”

This year’s annual American Friends of Ateret Cohanim “Jerusalem Chai” dinner commemorated the 50^th anniversary of the reunification of Yerushalayim. Many in the dimmed hall were old enough to remember that fateful period in Jewish history. The emotion and nostalgia were palpable as Dr. Paul Brody, member of the organization’s Executive Council, sang Hatikvah, which was followed by The Star Spangled Banner by Eli Kahn, and the Tefillot for Medinat Yisroel and Tzahal recited by Mati Dan, Founder and Chairman of Ateret Cohanim in Israel.

Though Israel’s consecutive jurisdiction over all of Yerushalayim may lead some to complacency, it leads Ateret Cohanim to action. The organization works tirelessly to purchase properties in historically Jewish areas, such as the “Muslim Quarter” of Yerushalayim and “East Jerusalem,” and establish secure residences, Shuls and Kollelim for courageous young Jewish families who wish to reside there. The Jewish presence in these areas continues to grow, seeing to it that fewer and fewer areas in the Jewish State are “off limits” to Jews and Judaism.

Daniel Luria, Executive Director of Ateret Cohanim in Israel, explained what he termed the “Jerusalem Dome,” the growing Jewish presence in Yerushalayim, that strengthens and protects all of Eretz Yisroel. “I like the ‘BDS Movement,’” he quipped. “Buy, build, donate, develop and secure!”

An Indispensable American Partnership

The establishment and maintenance of each Jewish home and makom kadosh in these areas entails significant costs. American Friends of Ateret Cohanim has been an indispensable financial and advocacy resource for this bold organization. And this year’s dinner highlighted various partners that embody American Jewry’s passion and love for Eretz Yisroel and its Jewish character.

One incredible role model is the community of Bal Harbour, Florida, under the leadership of Rabbi Sholom and Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar of “The Shul,” the Rabbinic Leadership Awardees at the dinner. This community undertook a partnership, facilitated by American Friends of Ateret Cohanim, with the growing Jewish community in the historic “Kfar HaTeimanim” neighborhood in Yerushalayim, located in what is commonly referred to as Silwan. A 19^th century Teimani Shul is still intact.

The multi-million dollar Bal Harbour partnership will renovate and restore the Shul, so that it can be used by the new growing Jewish community in that area. Referring to American Jewry, Zalman Lipskar, who accepted the award on behalf of his parents, remarked, “We have to put our own ‘skin in the game’…we have to invest in Eretz Yisroel.”

A powerful video tribute followed, honoring the memory of Joseph Mermelstein z”l, a leading American philanthropist on behalf of the Jews of Eretz Yisroel, and for Ateret Cohanim projects in particular. His wife and philanthropic partner Helen was in the audience.

The Importance of Eretz Yisroel Hashleima

“We need to make Yerushalayim the glorious place it is meant to be,” exclaimed Dr. Joseph Frager, Chairman of the Executive Council of American Friends of Ateret Cohanim, extolling the vital Ateret Cohanim mission as he introduced Ambassador Danny Dayan, Israel’s Consul General in New York. Ambassador Dayan’s home in Israel is in Maale Shomron, and he served for years as chair of the Yesha Council. “Danny Dayan is one of us,” Dr. Frager proudly exclaimed.

Putting traditional diplo-speak aside, Ambassador Dayan exclaimed, “I identify with ‘Yerushalayim Hashleima’ and ‘Eretz Yisroel Hashleima’ as the official representative of the State of Israel.” The Ambassador recounted how he undertook to make Aliya and dedicate his life to Eretz Yisroel following the Six Day War, when he was an eleven year old boy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He stressed that a Jewish presence throughout Israel’s post-1967 territories is vital from both security and historical perspectives.

“After 2,000 years of dispersion, we are back.” Footage of Dr. Irving Moskowitz z”l’s heartfelt observation was played in a special video presentation in his honor. Dr. Moskowitz – who passed away last year – was a leading philanthropist on behalf of Eretz Yisroel and Ateret Cohanim, work continued to this day by his wife Cherna. Rabbi Yechezkel Moskowitz, a grandson, recounted, “Our grandfather breathed the dream of ‘ihr she’chubra lah yachduv.’”

The Soul of Yerushalayim

The crowd listened intently and was visibly moved when Israeli star Tal Vaknin sang a new, powerful melody – “Av Harachamim…Tivne Chomot Yerushalayim” – that was composed in honor of the 50^th anniversary of the reunification of Yerushalayim. The song was composed by Duvi Honig, Founder and CEO of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce. Duvi and his wife Esther were Guests of Honor and Bonei Yerushalayim Awardees at the dinner.

“Yerushalayim has a body and a neshama. Fifty years ago, the Jewish People physically reclaimed Yerushalayim. Ateret Cohanim makes sure that Yerushalayim flourishes spiritually too.” Duvi passionately spoke of the pro-Israel, anti-BDS public policy work the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce has done together with leading Ateret Cohanim activists, particularly during the Chamber’s U.S.-Israel Business Alliance mission to Israel with Mike Huckabee in January. Duvi is especially passionate about Ateret Cohanim’s work to maintain the Orthodox status quo at the Kotel Hamaaravi.

Historical footage of Yerushalayim of Old, and details of the millennia-old Jewish history in the Holy City, was followed by footage of young Jewish children playing giddily in Yerushalayim neighborhoods that have been Jew-free for decades. This dynamic video presentation placed Ateret Cohanim’s activities in vivid color. Daniel Luria calls it the “Seventh Day War” to restore Jewish life to these “disputed” areas. Whereas many residents in these neighborhoods raise their children to throw rocks and Molotov cocktails, these parents want their children to play, eat, daven and learn in the universe’s center of holiness. “With children comes life,” observed Chaim Leibtag, pointing to colorful toys strewn at the entrance of one Ateret Cohanim home. “With life, who can stop us?”

Shani Hikind, Vice President of American Friends of Ateret Cohanim, referred to the Akeidas Yitzchok, where the passuk says that Avraham Avinu saw “the place” from a distance. Throughout the past millennia, until 1967, Jews have only been able to see the Makom Hamikdash from a distance, at best. Mrs. Hikind introduced a member of the audience, Emanuel Rund, who was among the first Israeli soldiers to enter the Old City during the Six Day War, and was shot by the Jordanians. She also introduced a wonderful couple from Brooklyn, Nissan and Dr. Hindie M. Klein, Guests of Honor and Bonei Yerushalayim Awardees.

Many decades have passed since nine year old Aryeh Zev Klein a”h tragically passed away. Yet time has done nothing to erode the raw love and emotion that his parents display when talking about their eldest child. Tears flowed freely as Dr. Klein described the meaning she and her husband derive from their dedication of “Gan Aryeh,” a modern playground to be built on the rooftop of Beit HaNof in the Old City, in memory of Aryeh Zev: “Every time a child will play on this playground, Aryeh’s neshama will have an aliya.”

The Heroes Speak

Fox News contributor Pete Hegseth, a renowned U.S. military veteran, and recipient of Bronze Star and other medals, spoke passionately about Ateret Cohanim and the broader need for an “unshakable bond” between the U.S. and Israel. He sees it as his duty to highlight to his Fox audience the common dangers of terrorism that the U.S., Israel and the entire West, face. “Our only choice is to fight back and win,” he exclaimed.

Dr. Frager then introduced one of America’s foremost diplomats, former UN Ambassador John Bolton, who has a uniquely keen understanding of the Middle East and the need for the U.S. to support the Jewish State. Ambassador Bolton lamented the State Department’s announcement that Iran is in compliance with the terms of the nuclear deal, as well as the Department’s perennial insistence that the status of Yerushalayim has not been determined. “The final status of Jerusalem has been determined,” the Ambassador stated to thunderous applause. “Jerusalem is never to be divided or separated again.”

“When I was in the hospital, I promised that if I survive I will give part of my life for Yerushalayim.” Dov Kalmanovitz, Deputy Mayor of Yerushalayim, was severely burned by a terrorist during the outset of the First Intifada in 1987. His ordeal, long term facial scars and all, have only strengthened his resolve to do the hard work on behalf of Israel, and Yerushalayim in particular. Deputy Mayor Kalmanovitz spoke of the importance of encouraging a Jewish presence in the predominantly Arab neighborhoods along stretches between Jewish neighborhoods: “If Jews are not ‘on the way,’ it does not belong to us.”

The final speaker of the evening was Lt. Col. Yoni Chetboun, a former Knesset member, and author of Under Fire. Yoni shared his recollections of the infamous battle in Bint Jbeil, Lebanon against Hezbollah during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon War. Yoni was a Golani Brigade soldier, and the commanding officer of his unit, Ro’i Klein Hy”d, personally jumped on a grenade in order to shield Yoni and other members of his unit – saving their lives. Yoni recounted Ro’i’s incredible heroism and related that the Commander shouted “Shema Yisroel” as he took the final leap. “Shema Yisroel was his strength,” Yoni summed up. “Our spirit is our answer to everything.”

The powerful dinner program was wrapped up by inspirational songs and dancing, celebrating Eretz Yisroel and Yerushalayim, performed by guest stars from Israel, singer Elron Zabatani – who resides with his family in Ateret Cohanim’s Beit Hatzalam in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City – accompanied by pianist extraordinaire Shlomi Aharoni, formerly of the Rabbinical IDF Orchestra.

During the beautiful dessert reception, Joey Brody of Great Neck, son of Dr. Paul and Drora Brody, received a Special Recognition Award for his generosity to the children of Ateret Cohanim, on the 50th Anniversary of Yom Yerushalayim, as a representative of Bar and Bat Mitzvahs over the last decade.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)