New Jewish Group Holds Meeting on Israel With McCarthy

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola) assured Five Towns rabbis and other community members at a meeting last week that she is committed to the safety of and good relations with Israel.

“As someone who has dedicated her life to public safety and cares deeply about our national security and that of our allies,” she said in a release, “I will do everything I can to make sure my colleagues in Washington understand that no matter what happens in Egypt and other parts of the region, we must not compromise our support for Israel and its security.”

The meeting was the first event organized by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Long Island, which hopes to “inform and mobilize” Long Island residents on issues regarding the local community, Israel and other countries. The organization, which has offices in Syosset and Commack, said it serves as an umbrella for Long Island Jewish institutions and hopes to foster inter-group relationships by maintaining dialogue between individuals and elected officials.

Trustee Michael Fragin, who is on the advisory council of JCRC-LI, said that U.S.-Israel relations remains a top concern. “I am pleased about the open door that the congresswoman has offered to us on issues,” he said, “and through this dialogue I trust that the congresswoman has a greater appreciation of our strong, dynamic, and growing community."

McCarthy said she looks forward to future meetings with the group and her district’s Jewish community to discuss security and prosperity issues in the United States and abroad.

“JCRC-LI is delighted to have had such a successful inaugural event,” said the organization's executive director, David Newman, “and looks forward to strengthen the Long Island Jewish community through ongoing dialogues with elected officials and building relationships of trust with other communities.”